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The Jacksonville Transportation Authority is making great strides towards integrating autonomous vehicles into public transit. The Ultimate Urban Circulator (U2C) program aims to connect various neighborhoods throughout Jacksonville's downtown core and provide reliable, accessible, safe, and equitable mobility options.

The first phase of the U2C, the Bay Street Innovation Corridor (BSIC) Project, is already underway and will complete the first 3 miles of the planned 10-mile autonomous public transit network when it launches in the summer of 2025. This $66 million dollar project leverages discretionary transportation grant funds awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation in December 2018.

Excitingly, the second and third phases of the U2C program are on the horizon. The second phase will modernize and convert JTA's 2.5-mile Skyway legacy system to an elevated connected guideway for autonomous vehicles. The third phase will expand the at-grade autonomous vehicle public transit service into adjacent historic neighborhoods nearby downtown to complete the planned 10-mile autonomous public transit network.

JTA is seeking an Assistant Vice President - Automation & Innovation to join their team! This role will support the VP in managing the U2C Program's planning, design, procurement, manufacture, installation, and construction. The AVP will also oversee the existing Skyway Operations and the Test & Learn program, which serves as the Division's R&D function that socializes the technologies through various supporting demonstration and pilot projects throughout the community in advance of the U2C Program deployments.

This is a critical role in preparing and enabling the JTA organizationally to perform the operations and maintenance of the new autonomous vehicle public transit service. This responsibility includes developing and implementing strategies, tactics, and overall approaches to organizational workforce development and training to support this operational transition to autonomous vehicles.

Essential duties include but are not limited to:

• Manages and coordinates finalization of project planning, environmental review, project development, funding alternatives, design, procurement, and construction phases of U2C projects.
• Procures the necessary planning, engineering, technical systems, integrator, and financial advisory consultant services in accordance with JTA, state and federal guidelines. Negotiates schedules, scopes, and fees for U2C capital contracts.
• Maintains knowledge of emerging technologies and trends in operations management and the AV industry.
• Ensures that departmental decisions, staffing plans, project management, and all capital and operational expenses are aligned with the organization’s business plan and vision.
• Identifies, recommends, and implements new processes, technologies, and systems to improve and streamline organizational processes and use of resources and materials.
• In coordination with staff with Planning & Sustainability, Transit Planning, Skyway Operations, and Maintenance, identifies needed long-range transportation needs to support the authority’s strategic vision.

The Ideal Candidate will have strong organizational, analytic, and strategic-thinking skills with the demonstrated ability to create, implement and monitor complex plans and translate those plans into goals and concrete methods and strategies.

Possess proven management ability and a strong worth ethic. Should have a four-year management degree with a minimum of seven years of comprehensive experience is required. While not required, an advanced degree would be ideal with prior Sr. Management experience demonstrating sound working knowledge related to transit /transportation, engineering, and construction programs, with wide-ranging knowledge of new transportation technologies.

Have a pre-disposition for action and possess the ability to explore and develop new use cases for the future of alternative vehicles. Functioning much like a “Swiss Army Knife” with “4D chess” strategic ability, you will pivot and re-prioritize while continuing to deliver high impact projects.

Application Process
Confidential inquiries are welcome. For additional information, contact Daphne Le Banc with TALENT SEARCH CONSULTANTS @ 818.399.5787. If this creative role offers the opportunity you seek, submit your resume and letter of interest expressing what your experience will bring to this role by June 24, 2024, via [email protected]. Confidential inquiries and talent recommendations are encouraged. This position will remain open until filled.

JTA will offer a competitive compensation package to the successful candidate depending on qualifications and experience.

JTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer