Assistant Director I

Date Opened: Friday, September 05, 2025 12:00 AM

Close Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025 12:00 AM

Department: Charlotte Area Transit System Department

Administrative Management

Salary: $111,506.00 - $139,383.00 Commensurate with Experience

Welcome to the City of Charlotte

Charlotte is America’s Queen City, opening her arms to a diverse and inclusive community of residents, businesses and visitors alike. Here you will find a safe, family-oriented city where people work together to help everyone thrive. The mission of the City of Charlotte is to deliver quality public services and promote the safety, health, and quality of life for all residents.

Our guiding principles include:

• Attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce

• Valuing teamwork, openness, accountability, productivity, and employee development

• Providing all customers with courteous, responsive, accessible, and seamless quality services

• Taking initiative to identify, analyze, and solve problems

• Collaborating with stakeholders to make informed decisions

SUMMARY

The Assistant Director, Facilities Maintenance, provides strategic and operational leadership over the planning, development, management and maintenance of all Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) transit facilities, including buildings, infrastructure, and related systems. This role is responsible for the day-to-day management of maintenance staff, contractors, and resources to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of agency buildings, transit centers, administrative offices, maintenance yards, passenger amenities, and associated infrastructure.

The Assistant Director plays a key leadership role in delivering high-quality facility maintenance services while supporting operational continuity for transit services and maintaining compliance with applicable safety, environmental, and regulatory standards. The Assistant Director also manages the integration of new facilities, emergency response operations, and vendor performance across a diverse range of building systems and plays a key role in managing staff, budgets, and projects related to transit facilities.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist the Director of Facilities in the planning, supervision, and execution of facilities maintenance operations and programs across all CATS properties.  Provide leadership and mentorship to facilities staff, fostering a collaborative, customer-focused, and safety-oriented work environment.
• Direct daily operations of maintenance personnel, including custodial, trades, and technical staff, ensuring effective and efficient response to routine and emergency or rapid response issues.
• Provides primary managerial direction and performs personnel administrative functions of direct report staff (e.g., training, supervising, work assignments, timesheets, performance evaluations, etc.) for maintaining necessary staffing, enhancing productivity of staff, and ensuring necessary department outcomes are achieved.
• Oversee preventive and corrective maintenance programs to maximize asset life, minimize service interruptions, and optimize operational readiness.
• Coordinate facility inspections, condition assessments, and routine reporting to monitor infrastructure performance and identify maintenance needs.
• Support the development and administration of the department’s operating and capital budgets; monitor expenditures and assist in forecasting operational needs.
• Initiate, implement or respond to proposed policies and procedures relating to department performance and responsibility.
• Manage contracts and vendor relationships for outsourced maintenance and repair services, ensuring service quality, cost control, and contract compliance.
• Prepare specifications for equipment and services, seek bids and proposals, evaluate, negotiate as required and determine selection of vendors and contractors providing goods or services to CATS.
• Review plans and specifications for new facilities or modifications / repairs and recommend changes as may be required. Identify capital facility improvements and major repairs requiring inclusion in the CATS Capital Improvement Plan. Serves as the CATS knowledge expert for facilities development and operation.
• Ensure regulatory and code compliance (ADA, OSHA, FTA, environmental standards) for all operations and construction activities.
• Monitor vendor and contractor performance to ensure adherence to service quality standards and contract obligations.
• Serve as liaison to internal stakeholders, external partners, and the public regarding facility conditions, safety concerns, and emergency events.

Core Competencies:

• Is strategic and able to inspire others.  Mentors and develops the existing workforce through their knowledge and Transit Industry experience.
• Has the ability to work collaboratively to drive results with a number of stakeholders who have diverse, and often competing goals.  Builds productive working relationships with others, especially within team settings and cross-departmental projects. Works cooperatively and responsively with internal operational teams, external contractors, regulatory agencies, and the riding public.
• Has the strength of character to lead through change, demonstrate resilience, learn from mistakes, correct course, and instill trust along the way.
• Has a deep-rooted desire to serve the public and the employees they lead.
• Is a systems thinker, with the flexibility and agility to maneuver through challenges and get things done both through formal channels and informal networks.
• Is an outstanding colleague who strengthens the team, demonstrating transparency and building trust, courageously and consistently acting upon the CATS core values.
• Has the ability as a leader to facilitate difficult conversations and create a culture of shared responsibility for the good of all Facilities team members.
• Recognizes operational and financial opportunities, and quantifies potential gains, risks, and impacts by applying principles of asset management, facilities operations, finance, and business management within a public transit environment.  Understands funding structures, lifecycle costing, and the financial implications of operational decisions.
• Aligns decisions, work priorities, and resource management with the strategic goals of the agency to improve operational reliability, enhance rider experience, and extend asset life. Demonstrates an operational mindset focused on safety, efficiency, and continuous improvement
• Makes timely, data-driven decisions using operational metrics, risk analysis, and industry best practices. Balances safety, compliance, budget, and service continuity when making judgments.
• Manages daily operations and strategic initiatives with minimal direction. Anticipates facility needs and proactively addresses service issues, vendor gaps, and infrastructure risks.
• Delegates authority effectively, ensuring staff are empowered and supported to meet service standards. Establishes performance benchmarks and regularly reviews outcomes to guide continuous improvement.
• Communicates complex technical and policy information clearly and confidently. Tailor’s messages to appropriate audiences, from executive leadership and stakeholders to frontline staff and contractors. Ensures timely, accurate dissemination of key information.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Facilities maintenance and capital construction project management within a public transit or infrastructure environment.
• Building systems including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, structural integrity, and life-safety systems.
• Applicable codes and regulations including OSHA, ADA, and local/state building codes.
• Knowledge of Federal (FTA), State (NC) and Agency laws, rules, and regulations.
• Public procurement procedures, contract administration, and vendor oversight in a government setting.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, labor relations, and performance management.
• Project and program management methodologies, including risk assessment and quality control.
• Change management principles and organizational development strategies.
• Industry best practices in facility operations, asset management, and emergency response.
• Business English, report writing, and documentation standards.
• Standard office procedures and administrative processes.
• Microsoft Office products and enterprise-level project management tools.
• Leading cross-functional teams and communicating effectively across levels of an organization.
• Reviewing, interpreting, and applying construction drawings, plans, technical specifications, and code requirements.
• Managing multiple projects with competing deadlines and resource constraints.
• Preparing and monitoring project budgets, timelines, scopes of work, and performance metrics.
• Using project management software for scheduling, tracking progress, and reporting (e.g., Gantt charts, dashboards).
• Analyzing complex operational issues and developing data-informed solutions.
• Communicating technical and non-technical information clearly to staff, contractors, leadership, and stakeholders.
• Multi-tasking effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Attention to detail and quality assurance in both construction and maintenance activities.
• Deliver concise, professional presentations to leadership, boards, and public audiences.
• Plan, organize, and coordinate large-scale projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with federal and state regulations and agency policies.
• Develop strategic plans and translate them into operational procedures.
• Analyze problems, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Manage and monitor capital and operating budgets effectively.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with internal departments, vendors, and regulatory agencies.
• Follow written and verbal instructions with minimal oversight.
• Meet deadlines, adapt to changing priorities, and respond to emergencies when required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Business Administration, or a related field AND at least eight (8) years of progressive facilities or construction management experience, including five (5) years in supervisory capacity.
• OR Master’s degree in a related field AND six (6) years of relevant experience, including five (5) years of supervisory experience
• OR Associate degree in a related field AND ten (10) years of relevant experience, including five (5) years in a supervisory role.
• OR High school diploma or GED AND twelve (12) years of progressively responsible experience in facilities maintenance, construction management, or engineering project delivery, including five (5) years of supervisory experience.
• Must be able to work flexible hours and respond to emergencies 24/7
• Valid driver’s license and able to obtain a City driving permit.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in managing both facilities maintenance and capital construction projects within a transit agency or similar organization
• Experience working in a transit or public sector environment
• Familiarity with public sector procurement and capital planning processes
• Experience with federal/state funding compliance, including FTA grants and reporting
• Strong understanding of transit-related codes, safety standards, ADA compliance, and public procurement practices
• Strong commitment to safety, equity, and public service
• Professional Engineer (PE) certification preferred

 

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.

Our culture is to serve the community honorably.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email Careers@ci.charlotte.nc.us.

The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.

BENEFITS

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.

Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.