SENIOR EXECUTIVE OFFICER, SPECIAL PROGRAMS (EMPLOYEE AND LABOR RELATIONS)

Metro’s mission is to provide a world-class transportation system that enhances the quality of life for all who live, work, and play within LA County.

Description

Collaborates with the cabinet chief regarding planning, strategic oversight, and implementation of cabinet projects, programs, and strategic initiatives; works closely with the agency's executive management team, program and project executives and managers, Metro Board members, elected officials, Metro's labor unions, and other stakeholders, to assist in the development and implementation of visionary programs and solutions to meet the mobility needs of Los Angeles County.

The Senior Executive Officer, Special Programs serves as a senior strategic partner to Metro’s executive team, providing direction, oversight, and execution for agency-wide initiatives that cut across departments and functions. This position has primary responsibility for executive leadership of Employee & Labor Relations functions, including the establishment of a new police union and collective bargaining agreement for the Department of Public Safety.

Examples of Duties

• Collaborates with the cabinet chief to set goals, establish priorities, and develop strategies aligned with Metro's commitment to customer service value to taxpayers, and program/project delivery.

• Manages and reviews staff performance against goals and takes actions necessary to address and correct deviations
• Implements training and development programs aimed at cultivating the next generation of leaders
• Leads staff in inter-departmental and inter-agency collaboration and cooperation
• Directs the development and implementation of programs, processes, projects, systems, and services
• Reviews and analyzes policies, and formulates and presents policy recommendations to the cabinet chief
• Manages the preparation of agenda items for cabinet chief approval and Metro Board action
• Oversees department operations, including budget development and monitoring, to achieve set goals and objectives
• Directs the implementation of transit project goals and objectives, policies, work standards, and controls for professional staff and consultants; evaluates project performance against goals and takes necessary action to address deviations
• Represents Metro at meetings and conferences with elected and public officials, the community, private citizens, and public and private organizations
• Communicates Metro's safety vision and goals; oversees the implementation of agency and departmental safety rules, policies, and procedures; and maintains accountability for safety performance of all assigned employees

May be required to perform other related job duties

Minimum Qualifications

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Public Administration, Transportation or a related field

Experience

• Eight years of relevant senior management-level experience in transportation operations, finance, planning and programming, and/or project or program management

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements

• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications (PQs) are used to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) as determined by business necessity. These criteria are considered preferred qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position. PQs will help support selection decisions throughout the recruitment. In addition, applicants who possess these PQs will not automatically be selected.

The following are the preferred qualifications:

• Experience overseeing labor relations, including negotiation of collective bargaining agreements
• Experience leading negotiations on behalf of public safety or law enforcement personnel
• Experience leading large, diverse teams and complex, multi-department initiatives
• Experience working knowledge of California labor laws, including the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act (MMBA) and Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act (POBR)
• Experience interacting with governing boards, elected officials, and executive leadership teams

Essential Knowledge

Knowledge of (defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks)

• Theories, principles, and practices of transportation operations, transportation finance, project management, and program management
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations
• Social, political, and environmental issues influencing transportation programs
• Principles and practices of public administration
• Modern management theory

Skill in (defined as the proficient manual, verbal, or mental utilization of data, people, or things)

• Developing and implementing objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls
• Determining strategies to achieve goals
• Analyzing situations, identifying problems, implementing solutions, and evaluating outcomes
• Exercising sound judgment and creativity in making decisions
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Preparing complex comprehensive reports and correspondence
• Interacting professionally with various levels of Metro employees, Board of Directors, outside representatives, and public officials
• Effectively leading, motivating, and supervising a large, diversified staff of professionals

Ability to (defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result)

• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships and teams
• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, budgets, and contracts
• Represent Metro before elected officials and the public
• Supervise, train, mentor, and motivate assigned staff
• Strategically evaluate, hire, and mentor staff to develop the next generation of leaders and talented professionals

• Read, write, speak, and understand English
  

Special Conditions

• This job specification is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements
• The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job
• Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• This classification is at-will and the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the hiring authority
• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out

Working Conditions

• Typical office situation
• Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen

Physical Effort Required

• Sitting at a desk or table
• Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium
• Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions
• Communicating through speech in the English language required

(HT)

Metro is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, or disability. Learn more about Metro’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program . Metro does not deny participation in the application process to anyone with prior justice system involvement, in line with Fair Chance hiring practices.

Selection Procedure

Applicants who best meet job-related qualifications will be invited to participate in the examination process that may consist of any combination of written, performance, or oral appraisal to further evaluate job-related experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.

Application Procedure

To apply, visit Metro's website at www.metro.net and complete an online Employment Application.
Computers are available to complete online Employment Applications at the following Metro locations:

METRO Headquarters, Employment Office
One Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Open: Monday through Friday, 8am-4pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

Metro Talent Hub
8501 S. Evermont Place
Los Angeles, CA 90044
Open: Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

East Los Angeles Customer Center
4501 B Whittier Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90022
Open: Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm
(Closed Sun & Mon)

Wilshire/Vermont Customer Center
3183 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 174
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Open: Monday through Friday, 10am-6pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

Rosa Parks Customer Center
Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station
11720 Wilmington Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90059
Open: Monday through Friday, 6am to 6:30pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

Telephone: (213) 922-6217 or persons with hearing or speech impairments can use California Relay Service 711 to contact Metro.

All completed online Employment Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. Late applications will not be considered.

*Open to the public and all Metro employees

This job bulletin is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform other related job duties.

*Please refer to the applicable benefit type (Regular or Temporary)*

BENEFITS FOR REGULAR EMPLOYEES

Benefits cover probationary or regular full-time (working at least 40 hrs/week) employees of Metro.

We offer a range of high-quality medical, dental and vision plan options as well as health care spending accounts for you and your family. Metro will cover a significant portion of your health care premiums.

Medical/Dental/Vision Plan - Employee has the choice of 3 separate medical plans and 3 dental plans. A separate vision plan is included in each medical plan.

Group Life Insurance - PTSC pays for an amount equal to your annual salary, rounded up to the nearest $1,000. Minimum amount of life insurance is $30,000.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance - PTSC provides $50,000 coverage for each employee. Additional voluntary coverage in amounts up to $500,000 is available at favorable premium rates.

Long-Term Disability Insurance - 100% employer paid. Provides employees with a minimum income of 60% of earnings after six months of disability. Buy up or buy down options available.

Holidays - 12 days a year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Cesar E Chavez, Juneteenth,Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

Time off with Pay (TOWP) - Compensates employees who are on approved absence from work for reasons such as illness, injury, medical and dental appointments, personal business, vacation, or observance of (a) religious holiday.
Years of Service Annual Accrual
Hire date - 5 years 20 days
Beginning of 6th - 10th year 25 days
Beginning of 11th - 15th year 30 days
Beginning of 16th + years 35 days

Pension Plan - PTSC retirement plan is the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Vesting is five (5) years. Minimum retirement age is 52, based on the 2% at 62 formula.

Other Benefits: Transportation passes for employees and/or eligible dependents; Medicare; Tuition reimbursement; credit union membership; SDI; Deferred Compensation Plan; 401(K) Thrift plan; EAP; Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts; Flexible work schedules; and Jury Duty Pay.

BENEFITS FOR TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES

Temporary (Contingent) employees are eligible for the following benefits only:

• Kaiser medical insurance
• Public Pension Plan
• 457/401K Plan
• Flex Spending
• Paid Sick Time
• Fare Media
• Rideshare Subsidies
• Metro One Fitness membership

For more information on the Benefits Enrollment for Contingent Employees, please visit LA Metro’s Pension & Benefits website at benefits.metro.net

Closing Date/Time: 5/19/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

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• Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority - LA Metro

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