Manager, Bus Instruction

SALARY
$121,959.84

POSITION SUMMARY

Supervises and plans the implementation and administration of training programs for Transit Operations and Bus Service Management employees. Oversees Bus Instruction program needs including curriculum development, scheduling, delivery, and regulatory compliance. Works closely with Transit Workforce Development and subject matter experts to maintain, update, and evaluate training content. Monitors daily instructional activities, ensuring instructors deliver programs effectively, meet established standards, and support employee success from initial training through ongoing development. Supports long-term operational goals by analyzing training needs, recommending improvements, and ensuring state and federal compliance for Commercial Driver's License (CDL) requirements.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversees the Authority's Bus Training Programs. Facilitates and supports training initiatives for all areas of Transit Instruction.

• Serves as a subject matter expert partnering with Training & Workforce Development (TWD) to design, revise, and update curriculum and materials.

• Conducts field audits and class visits to ensure instructors follow established agendas and curriculum standards.

• Confers with Bus Operations leadership to identify training priorities and align instruction with changes in equipment, procedures, and customer service expectations.

• Ensures program modifications support long-term agency directives, regulatory requirements, and operational needs.

• Manages instructor scheduling and deployment.

• Coordinates daily staffing assignments for training classes, special event instruction, and operational requests.

• Balances manpower needs in alignment with TWD, CTA, and union rules and requirements.

• Administers performance, coaching, and discipline for Bus Instruction program participants.

• Interviews employees to assess job performance and readiness for CDL qualification and other instructional progression.

• Oversees disciplinary actions involving trainees in accordance with CTA policies and collective bargaining agreements.

• Maintains accurate documentation to support decisions and program outcomes.

• Ensures compliance with state and federal CDL standards and CTA certification authority.

• Maintains daily oversight of CDL training and testing integrity to protect CTA's third-party certifier status with the Illinois Secretary of State.

• Monitors instructor adherence to safety, documentation, and testing protocols.

• Hires, trains, develops, monitors, and evaluates performance of staff. Reviews and recommends personnel actions for approval.

• Performs related duties as assigned.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to this position are the following jobs:

Job Title

• Key Instructors

• Bus Instructors

CHALLENGES

• Meeting the Authority's training needs with limited instructor Staffing.

• Delivering high quality training programs for a variety of audiences.

• Keeping abreast of various departments' policies and procedures

• Working various hours and shifts.

• Working in various weather conditions.

• Adapting to fast-paced environments.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Administration, or a related field, plus five (5) years of training experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Previous experience in needs analysis, instructional design, curriculum content development, or technology education, as well as implementation and evaluation of training programs strongly preferred.

• Experience with various methods of training delivery (classroom, e-learning, etc.) preferred.

• Valid State of Illinois Driver's License (DL) required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must meet and maintain physical requirements to safely perform all essential job duties and tasks.

• Requires remaining in a stationary position for extended periods while overseeing classroom activities and operating a computer and standard office equipment.

• Must be able to move throughout bus garages, yards, and training locations to observe instruction, conduct audits, and respond to operational needs.

• Must be able to lift and maneuver training materials, equipment, and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds.

• Requires climbing approved ladders, steps, and platforms when observing bus operations and training activities on vehicles.

• Requires stooping, bending, kneeling, and reaching when verifying proper instruction and ensuring adherence to training standards in field environments.

• Requires sufficient manual dexterity and visual acuity to review documents, operate devices, and evaluate bus operations during training.

• Must be able to hear verbal instructions, safety alerts, radio communications, and operational sounds in classroom and garage environments.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Working knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

• Working knowledge of learning strategies and instructional methods.

• General knowledge of the Authority's rules, regulations, policies and procedures, and all collective bargaining agreements governing assigned employees.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.

• Good system analysis and evaluation skills.

• Good time management skills

• Intermediate analytical skills.

• Intermediate Microsoft Office (Access, Excel and Word) skills.

• Ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

• Ability to generate a number of ideas about a topic.

• Ability to maintain amiable relations with various levels of Authority personnel.

• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• General office environment.

• Required to travel to various CTA, vendor, and transit property locations.

• Subject to normal garage/shop hazards such as noise, dust, grease, moving vehicles, etc. when visiting field locations.

• Subject to weather conditions when evaluating the provision of service.

• Subject to on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week for emergency response.

• Emergency response plans require 12-hour shifts, 7 days a week until emergency is declared over.