The Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority (GBT) is currently seeking a vibrant, knowledgeable, experienced, and innovative leader with a passion for and commitment to public transportation to serve as its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
GBT provides fixed route and demand response public transportation services in the Greater Bridgeport Region of Connecticut. Its service area runs along the southwest coast of Connecticut on the shores of the beautiful Long Island Sound. Bridgeport is the transportation focal point for the region and is the transfer center between local and intercity bus, commuter rail (Metro-North Mainline) and passenger rail (Amtrak), passenger ferry (Bridgeport to Port Jefferson, LI), and an interstate highway (I-95). Established under state statutes and overseen by a ten-member Board of Commissioners representing the municipalities of Bridgeport, Fairfield, Stratford, and Trumbull, GBT’s operations include three facilities – a maintenance facility, administrative offices, and a public station ― and a fleet of sixty fixed-route buses and thirty minibuses. With a staff of 166 employees, GBT operates approximately 550 hours of fixed-route service daily with an annual ridership approaching five million boardings. GBT’s demand response division is contracted and provides approximately 325 door-to-door trips daily. Both services are high quality and extremely efficient.
GBT’s operational funding is derived from the Connecticut Department of Transportation, rider fares, and municipal contributions and it has an annual operating budget of approximately $24 million. The agency’s capital funding includes grants from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Connecticut Department of Transportation. The current capital budget stands at approximately $49 million.
In addition to its existing daily services, the GBT team is currently working on multiple exciting and innovative projects, including the implementation of a new Microtransit Service, a service planning project funded under FTA’s Area of Persistent Poverty (AoPP) Program, and the development of a comprehensive zero emission fleet, facility, and deployment plan.
GBT enjoys a reputation as a flexible and vibrant service – well connected to the communities it serves. Through its talented team, GBT maintains strong relations with local business organizations, not-for-profit organizations, colleges and universities, and many other community organizations.
About Bridgeport, Connecticut
With a population of approximately 150,000, Bridgeport is the most populous city in Connecticut and the fifth-most populous city in New England, serving as the regional center for offices, banking, government, education, medical, and associated activities. Located on the Gold Coast along Long Island Sound and just 60 miles northeast of New York City and 150 miles southwest of Boston, Bridgeport is a short drive or train ride away from major league sports venues, Broadway, and other arts, entertainment, and dining destinations. It is also a gateway to all that New England has to offer including hiking, skiing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing and incomparable leaf peeping in the fall. The area includes numerous beaches and parks all of which provide abundant active and passive recreational opportunities. Open spaces, recreational trails and conserved lands, and farmlands can be found in the surrounding communities of Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, and Trumbull.
Bridgeport boasts a rich history that includes being the home of the famous Barnum Circus showman P. T. Barnum who served as the town’s mayor back in 1871. In the 20th Century, Bridgeport was a hub of manufacturing and innovation – the adjacent town of Stratford is home to Sikorsky Aircraft where helicopter pioneer Igor Sikorsky set up shop in 1929. Today, Bridgeport is a vibrant and growing community that is transforming itself into an ethnically and culturally diverse American city with a broad economic base.
GBT’s service area includes many affordable towns with great school systems and is a great place to raise a family. The region is home to three institutions of higher education: the University of Bridgeport , Fairfield University and Sacred Heart University . Bridgeport is also proud to be the home to more than a dozen Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the area.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direction of the Board of Directors, the CEO is responsible for the day-to-day management of GBT including recommending, developing and administering operating policies and procedures. The position is responsible for directing and coordinating the overall work of GBT to ensure quality service on a reliable basis.
The CEO’s scope of responsibility includes the operational, maintenance, financial, human resources, and information technology departments. This position represents GBT’s interests in legislative matters and is responsible for maintaining positive and productive relationships with the public, employee unions, state, federal and local agencies, as well as other transit services within the state and throughout the country.
Most importantly, the CEO serves as GBT’s representative and spokesperson to the community and stakeholders. GBT’s CEO must be open, engaging, responsive, and communicative with all stakeholders. The CEO must be solutions-oriented and strive to develop win-win approaches to complicated challenges facing the region. As such, the incoming CEO at GBT will be responsible for the following, in addition to other duties and responsibilities that may arise during the term of the CEO’s employment.
- Directs the function of the Chief Operating Officer, Fiscal Officer, Human Resource Manager/EEO Officer, Officer of Planning and Development, and the Special Assistant to the CEO.
- The CEO is responsible for the management and direction of all GBT employees and development and management of the annual operating budget as well as the development of the annual capital budget.
- Supervise activities of the various departments to improve services delivered by GBT, operate within budget and recommend future budget changes, initiate special projects and promote short term and long-term strategic goals.
- Directs and participates in all facets of labor relations including negotiations of collective bargaining agreements.
- Review all procedures to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures and fiscal responsibilities. Review and recommend appropriate actions regarding buildings, grounds and equipment used by GBT to ensure operational effectiveness in the application of the resources provided to GBT.
- Provide high quality communications with the general public, member towns, media, Board of Commissioners and GBT. Forms of communication include: reports, surveys, verbal communications in the forms of speeches, attending meetings and implement a communication plan for GBT. Encourage positive community relations.
- Innovate new methods to improve quality and to increase ridership of fixed route and demand response. Facilitate operations in an effort to supply the best service possible.
- Hold regular Staff and Committee meetings and work with staff on a one to one basis to develop and improve departmental operations. Encourage positive work environment, assist in the development of employees and recommend necessary training and education as appropriate.
- Meet with the Board of Commissioners on a routine basis, facilitate the input to policy development, report to the Board of Commissioners on progress of policy implementation as well as the accomplishments of the staff. Provide coordination for the Chairperson and Committees as requested by the Board. Represent the Board of Commissioners in the Community as required.
- Ensures compliance with FTA regulations and guidance and serves as the Accountable Executive for the Agency’s Public Transportation Agency Plan (PTASP) and Transit Asset Management Plan (TAM). May also serve as GBT’s Equal Opportunity Employment (EEO) Officer.
Knowledge and Abilities
The CEO will/should possess/demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities:
Knowledge of:
- Administrative principles and methods, including goal setting, program and budget development and implementation.
- Principles and practices of effective people management.
- Capital and operating budgets.
- Principles, practices, and program areas related to transit operations.
- Social, political, and environmental issues influencing transit programs.
- Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
- Modern management theory.
Ability to:
- Interact professionally with various levels of Authority employees, outside representatives, and public officials.
- Motivate employees to perform at the top of their ability.
- Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
- Address disciplinary matters in a firm, fair, and consistent manner.
- Plan, organize, and control the integrated work of a public transit organization.
- Develop and implement objectives, policies, procedures, and internal controls.
- Determine strategies to achieve goals.
- Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, budgets, contracts, and labor/management agreements.
- Assess training needs and develop a training strategy cooperatively with departments.
- Analyze situations, identify problems, implement solutions, and evaluate outcomes.
- Prepare reports and correspondence.
- Exercise judgment and creativity in making decisions.
- Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Minimum Qualifications
- Extensive experience in operations, maintenance, labor relations, safety, intergovernmental relations, marketing & public relations, technology, operational and financial performance is required.
- Experience working with a regional transit board of directors is highly desirable. Furthermore, the successful candidate must have demonstrable experience working with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), State DOT and local and regional planning agencies, as well as experience building community relations.
- Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Urban Planning or related field is highly desirable. A minimum of five years’ experience in a senior level position is required.
- Any combination of training, education, and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform this position’s duties will be considered.
To submit a resume and cover letter, please reach out to Gregg Moser, Principal at K&A, at gmoser@kapartners.com .
Rts 1 & 9: Expect Delays and Possible Detours, 9/27/24 – 9/29/24
ALERT 7/29/24: Rt 6 Detour, Phase 2 – Beginning Monday August 5, 2024
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