Director of Maintenance (Fairfax)

The Director of Maintenance is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and strategic direction of the maintenance department supporting the FCDOT Fairfax Connector fixed route contract. This position ensures the safe, reliable, and cost-effective maintenance of buses and supporting equipment while maintaining compliance with federal, state, local, client, and Transdev requirements. The Director oversees maintenance staff, training, fleet performance, budgeting, regulatory compliance, and facility operations to support safe and dependable public transportation services.

Competitive compensation Minimum $142,000 annually - Maximum $164,000 annually

Benefits include:

Vacation: minimum of three (3) weeks

Sick days: 5 days

Holidays: 12 days; 8 standard and 4 floating

Other standard benefits: 401(k) retirement plan, medical, dental and vision, life insurance, short-term disability, voluntary long-term disability.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide leadership and direction to maintenance managers, supervisors, technicians, and support personnel.Oversee maintenance personnel and management staff, including recruitment, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, performance management, promotions, discipline, and terminations. Ensure consistent application of company policies, collective bargaining agreements, and employment practices.
• Serve as the primary maintenance liaison with client representatives, regulatory agencies, and corporate leadership.Coordinate responses to client inquiries, corrective action requests, and maintenance-related service issues.
• Develop long and short-range maintenance plans/programs (e.g., energy management plans, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring that district resources are effectively utilized.
• Develop and manage departmental budgets. Monitor maintenance expenses, labor costs, inventory levels, and vendor contracts.
• Oversee inventory management and procurement processes. Establish controls to minimize inventory shrinkage and unnecessary expenditures. Evaluate vendor performance and negotiate service agreements as appropriate.
• Responsible for ensuring adherence to all Transdev and client policies, procedures, contractual requirements, and operational standards.Promote and enforce compliance with company policies, safety regulations, maintenance standards, and client-specific requirements throughout the maintenance department.
• Develop and implement strategies to improve fleet reliability, vehicle availability, and overall maintenance performance.Analyze maintenance trends, key performance indicators (KPIs), road calls, warranty data, and vehicle defect reports to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.Utilize maintenance management systems and performance analytics to drive data-based decision-making and improve operational efficiency.
• Responsible for overseeing all maintenance-related audits and ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, local, client, and company regulations. Monitor and maintain compliance with Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department of Transportation (DOT), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Serve as the maintenance department's primary point of contact during audits, inspections, and regulatory reviews. Lead internal and external audit activities, including client, regulatory, and corporate compliance reviews. Develop and implement corrective action plans to address audit findings, compliance deficiencies, and operational risks.
• Oversee inspection, maintenance, and certification programs for all revenue and non-revenue service vehicles and equipment.Monitor vehicle and equipment compliance records to ensure audit readiness and adherence to contractual and regulatory standards.
• Responsible for assisting in the development, administration, and monitoring of the maintenance department's operating and capital budgets.Monitor budget performance, analyze expenditures, and ensure efficient utilization of labor, parts, equipment, and vendor resources.
• Responsible for directing the work of all technicians including the development of work orders and the evaluation of all repairs performed by both the technicians and outside vendors.
• Advises Area General Manager and Division Managers of individual situations that require further attention.
• Responsible for vehicle titles and registration; which includes Vehicle Change Notice’s and annual registration fees.
• Supports on the job projects including identifying all sources of equipment maintenance, fueling, repair and spare parts.
• Ensures the Division maintenance shops are properly maintained, functional and clean.
• Develops and maintains files on all equipment for historical data.
• Foster a positive work environment that promotes teamwork, engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Responsible for DOT compliance and inspections of revenue and service equipment.
• Other duties to ensure the efficient operation of the maintenance facility.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in business or public administration, mechanical or industrial engineering, or a related field.
• Knowledge of DOT, FTA, OSHA, EPA, and transit industry regulations.
• A minimum of (10) ten years journey-level heavy mechanic experience.
• 10 years' experience in progressively responsible positions to provide an extensive background in transit fleet maintenance (diesel primarily), including a minimum of five (5) years supervisory experience of (20) twenty or more mechanics is required.
• Formal training and expertise with electric or hybris propulsion systems is required.
• CDL with Passenger and Airbrake endorsements is required.
• Automotive Service Excellence Certificates (ASE) Master Technician with brakes, steering / suspension endorsement/s required, and/or PMI preferred,
• Fleet Manager certification required
• Must be proficient using the maintenance management software provided by FCDOT, including Fleet Watch, Fleet Focus, various components of the Clever Devices ITS, GFI Odyssey farebox - including hummingbird software.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a cross-functional and operations environment, to lead by influence and earn trust at all levels.
• Expert knowledge of the principles and practices of automotive repair shop management, hazards and safety requirements of large-scale shop operations, and business procedures applicable to garage and facility management.
• Proven experience preparing and managing budgets.
• Must have a broad understanding of all mechanical systems related to transportation vehicles to include transmissions, engines, brakes, climate control units, wheelchairs and ancillary electronics.
• Expert technical knowledge of maintenance needs a wide variety of transit and mechanical equipment.
• Solid knowledge of a broad range of routine facility maintenance principles, equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Solid ability to effectively supervise the work of others and perform all duties of subordinate.
• Must have strong organization and labor relations skills and have basic math skills for tracking trend and for report writing.
• Excellent interpersonal communication, verbal, and written skills a must.
• Demonstrated experience working within a unionized environment, including interpretation and administration of collective bargaining agreements, grievance handling, disciplinary processes, attendance at labor-management meetings, and collaboration with union representatives.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.Demonstrated experience utilizing RTA Fleet Management Software for preventive maintenance scheduling, work order management, inventory control, asset tracking, compliance monitoring, and reporting.
• Detailed and task orientated, well organized, and possess effective time management skills.
• Must be able to handle sensitive and confidential information/situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representatives of those that must be met by the employee to successful perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can possibly be made to enable individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 10% of work is accomplished in doors and in air conditioned or well-ventilated facilities.
• 90% of work is accomplished open garage facility.
• Performs physical activities that require considerable use of the arms, repetitive hand-wrist motion, and legs and moving the whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• May be required to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Exposure to heavy traffic areas while performing the duties of the job.
• Exposure to considerable amounts of dust, vehicle fumes and noise.
• Exposure to chemicals, oils, greases or other irritants.
• Must be able to access any area of the equipment or vehicle to perform necessary maintenance.
• Must be able to work outside in various weather conditions.
• Must be able to travel for company training, meeting or support missions.

Transdev maintains a drug-free workplace. Applicants must:

Be eligible to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship now or in the future (if based in the U.S.).

Successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen.

The physical demands described here are