AVP - Automation & Innovation

Brief Description of Work:

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) is moving expeditiously with the execution of its visionary plan of integrating autonomous vehicles into public transit. The marquee program known as the Ultimate Urban Circulator (U2C) is the ambitious vision of repurposing existing infrastructure and leveraging emerging technologies to interconnect various neighborhoods through the downtown core of Jacksonville and enable reliable, accessible, safe, and equitable mobility options. The first phase of the U2C, the Bay Street Innovation Corridor (BSIC) Project, is already underway and when it is launched in the summer of 2025, will complete the first 3 miles of the planned 10-mile autonomous public transit network. The BSIC Project is a $65 Million dollar project which leverages discretionary transportation grant funds awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) in December 2018.The second phase of the U2C, is a modernization and conversion of JTA’s 2.5-mile Skyway legacy system to an elevated connected guideway for autonomous vehicles. The third phase of the U2C, is an expansion of at-grade autonomous vehicles public transit service into adjacent historic neighborhoods nearby downtown to complete the planned 10-mile autonomous public transit network.

The AVP – Automation & Innovation is responsible for supporting the VP – Automation & Innovation in managing the Authority’s U2C Program planning, design, procurement, manufacture, installation and construction. The role will also have oversight over the existing Skyway Operations and the Test & Learn program which is the Division’s R&D function that also serves to socialize the technologies through various supporting demonstration and pilot projects (e.g., AV circulators, microtransit AV on-demand) throughout the community in advance to and in preparation of the U2C Program deployments. Additionally, the AVP – Automation & Innovation will play a critical role in preparing and enabling the JTA organizationally to perform the operations and maintenance of the new autonomous vehicles public transit service. This responsibility includes the development and implementation of strategies, tactics, and overall approaches to organizational workforce development and training to support this operational transition to autonomous vehicles.

Essential Function(s):

Provides highly responsible and complex management, strategic thinking and policy support to the VP and Executive Leadership Team members.

Manages and coordinates finalization of project planning, environmental review, project development, funding alternatives, design, procurement, and construction phases of U2C projects.

Identifies project requirements, develops scope of work for U2C projects and manages project development by continued communications with all members of the team to promote success of the program.

Procures the necessary planning, engineering, technical systems, integrator, and financial advisory consultant services in accordance with JTA, state and federal guidelines. Negotiates schedules, scopes and fees for U2C capital contracts.

Manages and coordinates the efforts of all team members associated with the U2C program.

Manage all project correspondence, records and budgets. Makes regular reports on status of projects, schedules, budgets and concerns, including recommending remedies if objectives cannot be met.

Ensures timely completion of planning studies and reviews by the team.

Establishes, implements, and communicates the strategic direction of the organization's Commercial Fleet Operations, AV Testing Operations, and Fleet Management departments.

Collaborates with executive leadership to develop and meet company goals while supplying expertise and guidance on operations projects and systems.

Collaborates with other departments and teams to carry out the organization's goals and objectives.

Identifies, recommends, and implements new processes, technologies, and systems to improve and streamline organizational processes and use of resources and materials.

Develops and maintains comprehensive and detailed economic cost analyses for fleet optimization decisions.

Ensures that departmental decisions, staffing plans, project management, and all capital and operational expenses are aligned with the organization's business plan and vision.

Executes long-term and short-term fleet plans.

Establishes, communicates, and implements operations-related policies, practices, standards, and safety measures to ensure effective and consistent support and execution.

Reviews and approves cost-control reports, cost estimates, and staffing requirements for projects.

Establishes and administers the department's budget and monthly forecast in partnership with the Finance team.

Presents periodic performance reports and metrics to the chief operating officer and other senior executives.

Maintains knowledge of emerging technologies and trends in operations management and the AV industry.

Maintains a documentation and reporting system for all U2C projects with a clear process for early identification and reporting of any variations from plan.

In coordination with staff within Planning & Sustainability, Transit Planning, Skyway Operations, and Maintenance, identifies needed long-range transportation needs to support the authority’s strategic vision.

Develops strategic goals, objectives and milestones of the U2C program and actively monitors and ensures achievement of key milestones for the goals and objectives.

Identifies funding opportunities and strategies to secure required funding for all associated capital initiatives resulting from the development of the U2C program.

Advises the Executive Leadership Team and key stakeholders about any process changes needed in response to changing conditions.

Assures the effective delivery of the JTA's vision, mission, brand management and organizational sustainability.

Remains current on new industry trends, methods and technologies.

Attends Board/Public meetings and makes appropriate presentations in a clear and professional manner.

Performs mandatory storm/disaster job related functions that are essential to the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and/or the EOC.

This position has supervisory and operational authority over JTA personnel performing work functions on any capital initiative/project under the U2C program and may receive direct reports assigned during the course of the program implementation.

Responsible for completing all mandatory training classes.

Responsible for reviewing and complying with all JTA policies, procedures and directives.

Responsible for ensuring all direct reports have taken all mandatory training.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, architecture, or a related management degree with a minimum of seven years comprehensive experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

An advanced degree is preferred with prior Sr. Management experience demonstrating sound experience related to transit/transportation, engineering and construction programs, and sound knowledge of new transportation technologies.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Possess JTA’s 12 Leadership Characteristics: Good Communicator, Change Agent, Critical Thinker, High Energy, Accountable, Engaged, Team Player, Inspirational, Customer Focused, Courageous, Innovative and Strategic Thinker.

Ability to work collaboratively to enhance JTA’s reputation for excellence through best practices, reviews, accountability for performance and continuous improvement.

Strong organizational, analytic and strategic-thinking skills with demonstrated ability to create, implement and monitor complex plans and translate those plans into goals and concrete methods and strategies.

Strong communication skills, both orally and in writing, with sensitivity, passion and a focus on unity and equity.

Knowledge of or ability to become familiar with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations.

Knowledge of or ability to become familiar with pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including applicable Florida Statutes and other laws related to the use of public funds and tax laws.

Ability to be technologically savvy, and use resources necessary to make the

organization more efficient and competitive.

Proven management ability encompassing the development and implementation of strategic goals and objectives, setting and evaluating priorities.

A strong work ethic to produce a focused, dedicated work team - among both internal and external stakeholders - with a focus on collaboration, mentoring, nurturing and the delivery of exceeded goals.

Ability to understand the overall design of the transit network to efficiently and effectively implement development options.

Ability to conduct analysis and manage projects.

A track record in budget management, stewardship and developing proven strategies to build program area.

Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.

Ability to maintain a positive image as representative of employee base.

A career track record that shows the stability with organizations and the capacity to develop and nurture relationships that culminates in overall success.

Previous cross-functional project management experience involving land usage and public/private partnerships.

Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel & PowerPoint.

Ability to close on contracts following established contract procedures.

Ability to work a flexible schedule.