Public Service Manager II - Transit Unit Manager

About the job

If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State’s career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State.

.

This position reports directly to the Director of the Division of Public and Community Services within the Bureau of Planning and leads a unit charged with supporting transit capital investment, administration, and operations. The focus of this position is to lead statewide planning efforts, provide operational assistance and guidance to various public transit operators throughout Maine. The unit will develop long-range transit plans integrating transit with other modes of transportation. It will evaluate long and short-term investment strategies and manage both state, multimodal and Federal Transit Administration funding. The manager will work with operators, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, State and Federal Agencies, Rural Planning Organizations, as well as the Maine Transit Association to collect and prioritize needs that could be fulfilled though grants and other special appropriations.

Decision making includes the development of transit investment strategies for commissioner level review and adoption. These strategies will consider the needs of Mainers living and working in both urban and rural settings. This position also develops policies and best practices that are used by transit providers to streamline transit user experiences. Finally, this position will guide implementation of strategies from the 2023 Maine STate Transit Plan.

The Transit Manager supervises four positions: One Transportation Planning Specialist Three Transportation Planning AnalystsMaine Department of Transportation

Salary: $75,067.20 - $106,163.20 per year (Salary Schedule)

Office/Bureau: Bureau of Planning

Opening Date: November 12, 2026

Closing Date: November 30, 2026

Job Description:

The Transit Unit Manager is expected to assist the Bureau of Planning by having:

• Knowledge of the practices and principles of public policy planning and formulation Knowledge of transit system planning and funding.
• Knowledge of transit system operations.
• Knowledge of the structure and operations of related state and federal transit programs.
• Knowledge of Federal Transit Administration rules and funding program eligibility
• Knowledge of other modes of transportation and how they relate to transit
• Ability to supervise and direct professional and clerical staff.
• Ability to match needs with grant funding and write portions of a transit grant application

Serve as liaison for MaineDOT in transit-related initiatives by state agencies and other organizations:

• Interagency Working Group on Transit and related discussions (DECD, DHHS, DOL, DOE, MOCA, GOPIF}
• Commission to Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine
• 10 Year Economic Plan
• Aging issues/efforts
• Moving Maine Network
• Maine Transit Association
• Individual transit providers
• Public Transit Advisory Council
• New Mainer Advocacy Groups.
• Multi-state Transit Technical Assistance Program (MTAP)

Responsibilities will include:

• Working with various public and private stakeholder groups especially those representing
• underserved communities.
• Assessing the transit and rideshare needs of workers and Employers to improve recruitment and retention the workforce in various sectors.
• Overseeing administration of GO MAINE program Oversee Workforce Transportation Pilot program
• Overseeing transit technology initiatives (GTFS and automated fare payment) planning and implementation across the state
• Overseeing Maine State Transit Plan development and implementation
• Overseeing recommended increased coordination with DHHS to design more efficient and integrated systems.
• Overseeing transit agency projects and funding prioritization process.
• Overseeing transit operations staff and processes.
• Working with MaineDOT's Special Funding staff to match up transit needs with special funding opportunities.

To be minimally qualified for this position candidates must provide evidence of the following experience:

A Bachelor’s degree preferred fields of study include public policy, planning, or a transportation/policy related field,  6-year combination of education or experience in transportation, planning, administration, grant management, public transportation, public outreach or policy. Experience with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) or public transportation preferred, but not required, demonstrated experience leading teams, managing complex project timelines, or supervising

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants need to apply online by clicking the "Apply for this Opening/Apply Now" button along with uploading a cover letter, current resume, and any applicable copies of post-secondary transcripts, licensing, registration and certifications.

*If you have general questions, please contact MaineDOT Human Resources at 207-624-3050 or via email at *jobs.DOT@maine.gov

Why join our team?

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.

• Wellness – We care about you and your family’s wellbeing, offering 12 days of sick leave annually to help you stay healthy.

• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($12,213.60-$13,650.48 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.

• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by up to 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.

• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($358.08 annual value).

• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 18.86% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

*There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. *

*As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. *

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.

.

If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.