Apply Here: Director Of Transit | Eureka Springs AR 

City of Eureka Springs
Job Description

Job Title: Director of Transit

NOTE: All information on job applications, resumes, correspondence, and emails to/from city offices, including Name, Address, Phone Number, and Email addresses are subject to Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
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Exempt (Y/N): Yes                                     Department: Transit
Date: January 2026                                       Reports To: Mayor
Salary Range: $65,000 - $72,000
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SUMMARY

The Director of Transit is responsible for the overall leadership, administration, planning, and operation of the City of Eureka Springs public transportation system. This position serves as department head and ensures delivery of safe, efficient, accessible, and financially sustainable transit services for residents, visitors, and special events.

The Director provides both strategic direction and hands-on operational oversight, including staff supervision, regulatory compliance, budget and grant management, fleet oversight, and public engagement. The position plays a critical role in maintaining a self-funded transit system supported by fare revenue and federal and state funding.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Directs and oversees all aspects of transit operations, including fixed-route trolley service, Demand/Response, on-demand, ADA paratransit, seasonal routes, and special event transportation.

• Supervises and evaluates all Transit Department personnel, including operational staff, mechanics, drivers, dispatch staff, and seasonal employees.

• Exercises authority to hire, discipline, and terminate employees in accordance with City policy and applicable laws.

• Develops, administers, and manages the Transit Department budget; monitors expenditures and revenues to ensure fiscal accountability and sustainability.

• Oversees federal and state transit grants, including compliance, reporting, audits, and identification of required matching funds.

• Serves as the primary administrator for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) compliance, including Title VI, ADA/Section 504, Drug & Alcohol testing programs, and safety planning requirements.

• Oversees fleet operations, maintenance coordination, inspections, and replacement planning; provides direction and supervision to mechanics.

• Operates transit vehicles when necessary to support staffing shortages, training, testing, or emergency needs.

• Coordinates accident and incident reporting in collaboration with the City Safety Coordinator. 

• Represents the Transit Department in meetings with City leadership, City Council, state and federal agencies, auditors, vendors, tourism partners, and the general public.

• Responds to customer concerns, service requests, and public inquiries regarding transit services.

• Develops short- and long-term service plans to meet community needs and support tourism and economic activity.

• Ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies.

• Primary communication person with Arkansas Department of Transportation.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, SKILLS:

     Communications:
     Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
     Ability to prepare reports, grant documentation, and regulatory filings.
     Ability to communicate effectively with employees, elected officials, agencies, and the public.

    Public Relations:
     Ability to represent the City and Transit Department positively and professionally.
     Ability to address customer concerns and service issues diplomatically.

     Planning:
     Ability to plan and manage transit services, schedules, and staffing.
     Ability to engage in long-range service and fleet planning.

     Organization:
     Ability to manage multiple programs, deadlines, and compliance requirements.
     Ability to prioritize work in a fast-paced, seasonal environment.
     Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.

     Technical
     Knowledge of public transportation operations and fleet management.
     Working knowledge of vehicle maintenance standards sufficient to supervise mechanics.

     Problem Solving
     Ability to analyze operational, staffing, and service challenges.
     Ability to implement practical solutions in real-time operational environments.

     Technology
     Ability to use computers and software for scheduling, reporting, budgeting, and  communication.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: 

Bachelor’s degree in transportation management, public administration, business administration, or a related field is preferred. A combination of education and significant relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible management or supervisory experience in public transportation, transit operations, or a closely related transportation field is required.

Demonstrated experience with federal and state transportation programs, including Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding, compliance, reporting, and audits.

Experience with budget development and management, grant administration, and identifying and securing matching funds.

Working knowledge of transit fleet operations and maintenance sufficient to supervise mechanics and coordinate vehicle inspections, repairs, and replacement planning.

Experience supervising a diverse workforce, including safety-sensitive positions, with authority to hire, discipline, and terminate employees.

Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, SharePoint & OneNote.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical documents, regulations, grant requirements, and policy manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from employees, elected officials, regulatory agencies, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to exercise sound judgment in operational, safety-sensitive, and compliance-driven environments. 

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Valid Arkansas Driver’s License is required.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class B is required.  This position is subject to Department of Transportation (DOT) drug and alcohol testing requirements.

Ability to obtain and maintain required DOT physical certification.

First Aid and CPR certification required.

Ability to pass required background checks.

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION:

Regular interaction with the Mayor, City leadership, Finance, Human Resources, Safety Coordinator, and other department heads. Frequent communication with federal and state transportation agencies, auditors, vendors, tourism partners, event organizers, and the general public.

USE OF EQUIPMENT AND/OR COMPUTERS:

Must be able to operate standard office equipment, computers, and software used for scheduling, reporting, budgeting, and communication. Must be able to operate transit vehicles when necessary to support operational needs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee is frequently required to sit for extended periods while operating vehicles or working at a computer; stand and walk; enter and exit transit vehicles; bend, reach, and use hands and arms; and occasionally lift or move items weighing up to approximately 25 pounds. 

The employee may be required to assist passengers with mobility devices, including wheelchairs, walkers, and bicycles, and to deploy or operate wheelchair lifts, ramps, and bike racks in accordance with safety procedures. In rare or emergency situations, the employee may be required to provide physical assistance to passengers with disabilities, using proper training and safety protocols, which may involve exerting force greater than 25 pounds. The employee may be required to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and respond to emergency situations such as vehicle breakdowns, accidents, or staffing shortages.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Work is performed in office settings, transit vehicles, maintenance facilities, and outdoor environments. The position involves exposure to moving vehicles, mechanical equipment, varying weather conditions, and interactions with the public.

The noise level in the work environment is moderate to occasionally loud, depending on location and activity.