Transit Operations Training Manager

Department: Charlotte Area Transit System Department

Salary: $98,731.00 - $141,926.09 Commensurate with Experience

Thank you for your interest in joining the team that keeps Charlotte moving, at a very exciting time for our organization. At the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), we’re committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative transit services for our growing community, and we value employees who bring professionalism, passion, and a commitment to public service.

 

This position is currently employed by CATS, a department of the City of Charlotte. With the passage of the PAVE Act and last year’s sales tax referendum, CATS is preparing to transition from a City department to the newly created Metropolitan Public Transit Authority (MPTA). The MPTA was established to strengthen regional transit governance, improve accountability, and support long‑term investment in mobility. It’s an important and exciting step forward for transit in our region.

 

Employees hired into this role will remain City employees through December 31, 2026, and will transition to MPTA employment on January 1, 2027. Benefits and compensation will follow City provisions through 2026 and shift to MPTA provisions in 2027, with clear information shared in advance. Your core duties, reporting structure, and daily responsibilities will remain consistent, with no break in service. If anything delays the transition, your City employment, including compensation and benefits, will remain in place until the move to the MPTA occurs.

 

The creation of the MPTA positions us for a more modern, sustainable, and efficient transit system, one that can better support the Charlotte region for decades to come. We’re excited about what’s ahead and appreciate your interest in being part of it.

SUMMARY

The Transit Operations Training Manager creates, designs, and implements development programs tailored to transit operational needs. The incumbent identifies skills gaps and challenges across bus, rail, and support divisions and develops targeted programs that strengthen workforce readiness, safety performance, and operational consistency. This role delivers classroom and field instruction, oversees training quality, manages certification pathways, and directs long‑term training strategy for Transit Operations. The successful candidate must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to manage multiple training programs simultaneously.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Training Program Delivery

• Classroom Instruction — Deliver structured courses covering safety protocols, regulatory compliance, customer service, operational procedures, and equipment use.
• Field & OJT Training — Conduct hands‑on operational and safety training in the field to reinforce correct procedures and safe work practices.
• Technical Skills Instruction — Provide instruction on transit systems, operational equipment, and safety‑critical competencies.
• Safety & Compliance Training — Deliver safety, ROW awareness, hazard recognition, and other compliance‑required training.
• Assessment Administration — Conduct written tests, skills demonstrations, and field evaluations to validate competency.
• Training Documentation — Maintain attendance records, OJT logs, assessment results, and certification documentation.

Training Quality & Standardization

• Training Quality Oversight — Review training plans and ensure consistency with safety policies, departmental standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Curriculum Standardization — Ensure all modules follow consistent structure, terminology, and technical accuracy.
• Assessment Quality Control — Validate scoring consistency and ensure compliance with testing standards.
• Incident‑Driven Training Updates — Update training modules based on incidents, investigations, corrective actions, or operational changes.
• SME Collaboration — Work with operational supervisors and subject matter experts to validate technical accuracy and training relevance.

Training Operations & Coordination

• Training Scheduling — Coordinate training calendars, classes, field sessions, and instructor assignments.
• Cross‑Department Coordination — Align training with Operations, Safety, HR, and other internal partners.
• Training Reporting — Provide weekly and monthly updates on training progress, completions, and workforce readiness.
• Field Support — Support employees during field tasks to reinforce training concepts and safe work practices.

Training Program Leadership & Strategy

• Training Program Leadership — Lead the full training program for Transit Operations or Maintenance, ensuring alignment with operational goals and performance standards.
• Training Strategy Development — Build annual training strategy aligned with operational needs, safety priorities, and workforce planning.
• Curriculum Governance — Approve new courses, major updates, and technical content changes.
• Training Resource Management — Manage training budget, materials, equipment, and instructional resources.
• Certification Oversight — Oversee certification pathways, compliance tracking, and regulatory documentation.
• Managerial Reporting — Prepare and deliver training performance dashboards and reports to senior leadership.
• Support CATS Safety Culture by reporting safety concerns and issues through established methods as outlined in the Agency Safety Plan (ASP).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Adult Learning Principles and instructional design methodologies.
• Familiarity with classroom, blended, and field‑based training methods.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to plan, organize, and execute multiple training programs simultaneously.
• Ability to facilitate engaging training sessions that cater to diverse learning styles.
• Capacity to manage multiple tasks and projects while maintaining high standards of quality.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills for working with supervisors, SMEs, and leadership.

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least 5 years of experience in training and development with a proven track record in designing and delivering learning programs.
• Experience conducting classroom and field‑based training, administering assessments, and managing certification or compliance‑based training programs.

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.