The City of San Diego
Director of Transportation
The City of San Diego, San Diego, California, United States, 92189
Director of Transportation
Closing Date:
01/12/2026
Job Req ID:
559
Division:
Transportation
Salary Range:
$289,058.00 to $289,058.00
Job Type:
Unclassified
Business Area:
Transportation
Personnel Area:
Transportation
Seniority Level:
Director
Employment Type:
Full-time
The Transportation Department Director is responsible for ensuring that the Department mission is implemented across all aspects of operations – from long‑term strategic planning to daily operations and field activities. This role within the City of San Diego is critical to ensuring essential City functions perform efficiently and includes oversight of the most highly visible City infrastructure and customer services for our residents. The Director is responsible for efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, facilities, and resources; standardizing procedures to improve operating efficiencies; addressing personnel matters including hiring, onboarding, and retention for the Department staff; and ensuring the Department meets or exceeds all performance metrics and customer service standards. There is one current vacancy for a Director.
The current position is on‑site, primarily based out of the City facility located at 2781 Caminito Chollas (with regular meetings on‑site at 8525 and 8575 Gibbs Drive and Downtown/San Diego City Hall). Interviews for selected shortlisted candidates will be held the week of January 12.
The director will need to possess the ability to manage all aspects of the operations and implement effective and innovative solutions and cost efficiencies to successfully run the Department. The Director will directly oversee two Divisions within the Department: Business Operations and Fiscal, Administrative, and Information Technology; the Assistant Director will oversee three Divisions: Street; Right of Way Management; and Engineering, Asset Management & Parking.
Key Areas Of Responsibility
Direct oversight for two of the Transportation Department’s Divisions (Business Operations and Fiscal, Administrative, and Information Technology)
Development and implementation of goals and performance standards, objectives, and policies for the Department
Ensuring proper controls and processes are in place to promote and encourage consistent and quality work, plus regular assessment to ensure effectiveness and continuous improvement
Monitoring and reporting on key performance indicators and active assessment of resource, funding, or process improvement needs; championing and leading continuous improvement efforts across all service areas
Partnering with other City departments, agencies, contractors, and service providers to ensure common objectives are achieved and relationships are strengthened
Strategic planning and implementation for programs and initiatives to ensure compliance with grants or other funding sources, audits, and City milestones
Ensuring strong customer service across the Department and managing Council Office inquiries and public requests for the relevant Department work
Benchmarking performance to comparable agencies/municipalities and championing innovative solutions to field operations and capital delivery
Representing the Department in meetings with elected officials, agencies, and community groups
Strategic development and compelling delivery of presentations to executive management for high priority initiatives and resource needs and budget requests
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Construction, Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field
A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible supervisory and/or professional management experience in engineering, operations, or management that demonstrates the ability to work in a dynamic environment with a large and diverse workforce. Any combination of education, experience, and training may demonstrate these qualifications.
Desirable Qualifications Strong leadership, excellent communication skills, well organized, high level of accountability and urgency. These personal characteristics are of utmost importance rather than a specific background in transportation infrastructure and systems, which is desirable but not required.
Ideal Candidate Qualifications Municipal Operations and Transportation Infrastructure
General knowledge of right of way infrastructure repair and maintenance activities or related construction activities for roads, sidewalks, traffic signals, streetlights, trees, and related infrastructure
Experience overseeing large capital projects or large operations and maintenance programs with the ability to manage large employee populations (100+), substantial capital or operating budgets ($100M+), and high‑profile and visible programs
Knowledge regarding City, State, and Federal standards, laws, and regulations
Service and Customers
Interest in municipal services and how they impact the community
Experience managing diverse operations with a high‑volume of customer requests or competing priorities
Motivated by delivering exceptional internal and external customer service
Employees, Team Building, and Interpersonal Skills
Operates with an employee‑first approach to ensure employees are valued, respected, and resourced
Strong interpersonal skills with experience and a desire to build and grow high performing teams
Experience and desire to partner with other entities to achieve common goals
Goals and Accountability
Ability to establish clear goals, expectations, and priorities for teams and successfully monitor and manage to completion
High level of accountability to ensure both day‑to‑day tasks and high‑level initiatives are completed, even in the face of competing priorities
Problem Solving and Communication
Strong quantitative analytical abilities with the ability to develop practical solutions with available resources
Ability to comprehend technical details and understand how they relate to and impact the big picture
Ability to communicate complex and technical information in a simple, clear, and straightforward manner across various audiences
Overall excellent writing and communication skills
Pace and Adaptability
Desire to solve problems and integrate process improvements, ability to work in a resource‑constrained environment with a “can do” attitude
Energetic and motivated with the ability and desire to take initiative
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a fast‑paced, high‑pressure environment with tight time constraints
Desire to innovate and improve processes and operations
Understanding for how to handle sensitive and confidential information
Highly ethical and objective, with ability to navigate in a political environment without being political
The Department The Transportation Department manages the safe operation and maintenance of streets, sidewalks, streetlights, and traffic signals, and engineering of multimodal transportation systems. It also manages the Utilities Undergrounding Program and coordination of resurfacing and utility work within the public right‑of‑way. The Department has approximately 550 staff and five distinct Divisions. The annual budget for FY 2026 is $200M+ for operations and $480M+ for capital improvements; the Department manages over $250M in grant awards and active grant projects.
Benefits
Defined retirement plan, including pension reciprocity, dependent on an employee’s eligibility status
Wide variety of cafeteria‑style health and wellness plans or in‑lieu cash waiver
11 paid City holidays per calendar year and 1 floating holiday per fiscal year
Approximately 176 hours of paid annual leave for first 15 years and 216 hours for 16+ years of service
Up to 24 hours of paid discretionary leave per fiscal year
Up to 320 hours of paid parental leave per childbirth or placement of a child
Up to 40 hours of paid bereavement leave per fiscal year
Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year and complimentary LinkedIn Learning professional development opportunities
Free transit pass (including MTS Trolley, MTS Bus, and all Rapid and Rapid Express bus services)
Access to premier City golf courses at discounted rates
Reduced‑rate fitness center memberships
City‑paid life insurance
Pre‑Employment Requirements And Screening Process Employment offers are conditional, pending the results of all screening processes applicable to the position. All required processes by the City of San Diego must be successfully completed before employment begins. Resumes will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above and the most qualified candidates will be invited to interview.
The City of San Diego has an active Equal Opportunity/ADA Program for employment and vigorously supports diversity in the workplace.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Closing Date:
01/12/2026
Job Req ID:
559
Division:
Transportation
Salary Range:
$289,058.00 to $289,058.00
Job Type:
Unclassified
Business Area:
Transportation
Personnel Area:
Transportation
Seniority Level:
Director
Employment Type:
Full-time
The Transportation Department Director is responsible for ensuring that the Department mission is implemented across all aspects of operations – from long‑term strategic planning to daily operations and field activities. This role within the City of San Diego is critical to ensuring essential City functions perform efficiently and includes oversight of the most highly visible City infrastructure and customer services for our residents. The Director is responsible for efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, facilities, and resources; standardizing procedures to improve operating efficiencies; addressing personnel matters including hiring, onboarding, and retention for the Department staff; and ensuring the Department meets or exceeds all performance metrics and customer service standards. There is one current vacancy for a Director.
The current position is on‑site, primarily based out of the City facility located at 2781 Caminito Chollas (with regular meetings on‑site at 8525 and 8575 Gibbs Drive and Downtown/San Diego City Hall). Interviews for selected shortlisted candidates will be held the week of January 12.
The director will need to possess the ability to manage all aspects of the operations and implement effective and innovative solutions and cost efficiencies to successfully run the Department. The Director will directly oversee two Divisions within the Department: Business Operations and Fiscal, Administrative, and Information Technology; the Assistant Director will oversee three Divisions: Street; Right of Way Management; and Engineering, Asset Management & Parking.
Key Areas Of Responsibility
Direct oversight for two of the Transportation Department’s Divisions (Business Operations and Fiscal, Administrative, and Information Technology)
Development and implementation of goals and performance standards, objectives, and policies for the Department
Ensuring proper controls and processes are in place to promote and encourage consistent and quality work, plus regular assessment to ensure effectiveness and continuous improvement
Monitoring and reporting on key performance indicators and active assessment of resource, funding, or process improvement needs; championing and leading continuous improvement efforts across all service areas
Partnering with other City departments, agencies, contractors, and service providers to ensure common objectives are achieved and relationships are strengthened
Strategic planning and implementation for programs and initiatives to ensure compliance with grants or other funding sources, audits, and City milestones
Ensuring strong customer service across the Department and managing Council Office inquiries and public requests for the relevant Department work
Benchmarking performance to comparable agencies/municipalities and championing innovative solutions to field operations and capital delivery
Representing the Department in meetings with elected officials, agencies, and community groups
Strategic development and compelling delivery of presentations to executive management for high priority initiatives and resource needs and budget requests
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Construction, Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field
A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible supervisory and/or professional management experience in engineering, operations, or management that demonstrates the ability to work in a dynamic environment with a large and diverse workforce. Any combination of education, experience, and training may demonstrate these qualifications.
Desirable Qualifications Strong leadership, excellent communication skills, well organized, high level of accountability and urgency. These personal characteristics are of utmost importance rather than a specific background in transportation infrastructure and systems, which is desirable but not required.
Ideal Candidate Qualifications Municipal Operations and Transportation Infrastructure
General knowledge of right of way infrastructure repair and maintenance activities or related construction activities for roads, sidewalks, traffic signals, streetlights, trees, and related infrastructure
Experience overseeing large capital projects or large operations and maintenance programs with the ability to manage large employee populations (100+), substantial capital or operating budgets ($100M+), and high‑profile and visible programs
Knowledge regarding City, State, and Federal standards, laws, and regulations
Service and Customers
Interest in municipal services and how they impact the community
Experience managing diverse operations with a high‑volume of customer requests or competing priorities
Motivated by delivering exceptional internal and external customer service
Employees, Team Building, and Interpersonal Skills
Operates with an employee‑first approach to ensure employees are valued, respected, and resourced
Strong interpersonal skills with experience and a desire to build and grow high performing teams
Experience and desire to partner with other entities to achieve common goals
Goals and Accountability
Ability to establish clear goals, expectations, and priorities for teams and successfully monitor and manage to completion
High level of accountability to ensure both day‑to‑day tasks and high‑level initiatives are completed, even in the face of competing priorities
Problem Solving and Communication
Strong quantitative analytical abilities with the ability to develop practical solutions with available resources
Ability to comprehend technical details and understand how they relate to and impact the big picture
Ability to communicate complex and technical information in a simple, clear, and straightforward manner across various audiences
Overall excellent writing and communication skills
Pace and Adaptability
Desire to solve problems and integrate process improvements, ability to work in a resource‑constrained environment with a “can do” attitude
Energetic and motivated with the ability and desire to take initiative
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a fast‑paced, high‑pressure environment with tight time constraints
Desire to innovate and improve processes and operations
Understanding for how to handle sensitive and confidential information
Highly ethical and objective, with ability to navigate in a political environment without being political
The Department The Transportation Department manages the safe operation and maintenance of streets, sidewalks, streetlights, and traffic signals, and engineering of multimodal transportation systems. It also manages the Utilities Undergrounding Program and coordination of resurfacing and utility work within the public right‑of‑way. The Department has approximately 550 staff and five distinct Divisions. The annual budget for FY 2026 is $200M+ for operations and $480M+ for capital improvements; the Department manages over $250M in grant awards and active grant projects.
Benefits
Defined retirement plan, including pension reciprocity, dependent on an employee’s eligibility status
Wide variety of cafeteria‑style health and wellness plans or in‑lieu cash waiver
11 paid City holidays per calendar year and 1 floating holiday per fiscal year
Approximately 176 hours of paid annual leave for first 15 years and 216 hours for 16+ years of service
Up to 24 hours of paid discretionary leave per fiscal year
Up to 320 hours of paid parental leave per childbirth or placement of a child
Up to 40 hours of paid bereavement leave per fiscal year
Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year and complimentary LinkedIn Learning professional development opportunities
Free transit pass (including MTS Trolley, MTS Bus, and all Rapid and Rapid Express bus services)
Access to premier City golf courses at discounted rates
Reduced‑rate fitness center memberships
City‑paid life insurance
Pre‑Employment Requirements And Screening Process Employment offers are conditional, pending the results of all screening processes applicable to the position. All required processes by the City of San Diego must be successfully completed before employment begins. Resumes will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above and the most qualified candidates will be invited to interview.
The City of San Diego has an active Equal Opportunity/ADA Program for employment and vigorously supports diversity in the workplace.
#J-18808-Ljbffr