Are you ready to lead a critical transportation service that connects communities and keeps commerce moving? As the Director of Ferry Operations, you will oversee ferry vessel operations, terminal activities, maintenance programs, personnel management, regulatory compliance, and emergency response readiness. Working directly with the Director of the Maritime Division, you will influence strategic decisions, build relationships with public and private stakeholders, and lead a team dedicated to delivering safe and dependable ferry services. If you are a strategic leader with a passion for transportation, safety, and operational excellence, this is your opportunity to steer a vital public service into the future. At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive range of benefits and programs, including: • Retirement Plans • Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules • Paid Leave and Holidays • Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees • On-the-Job Training • Tuition Assistance Program • Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives • Career Development and Advancement Opportunities • Family-Friendly Policies and Programs In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance. For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our Total Compensation Package website To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov) Serves as the Director of Ferry Operations, reporting directly to the Director of the Maritime Division managing vessel operations, personnel management, vessel maintenance, terminal operations, regulatory compliance with the United State Coast Guard, and emergency response readiness. Plans, assigns, and supervises the work of others. Work requires extensive contact with high-level executives, governmental officials and private entities, internal agency audiences, and the public. Employees at this level are virtually self-supervising and assume direct responsibility for the work product. Essential Duties: • Reviews, develops, and implements ferry operating procedures and emergency management planning and protocols. • Plans, directs, and manages employees’ activities and monitors and evaluates employee performance. • Develops and implements professional development pathways for personnel. • Oversees and directs the development of strategic short to long-range reports and plans for waterway, seaport and ferry operations. • Oversees the implementation of software, performance metrics, and reports that support efficient and safe ferry service delivery. • Develops staffing and funding recommendations for ferry operations, to include monitoring the Maritime Division’s budget as related to ferry operations. • Reviews proposed legislation and directs the implementation of legislation affecting ferry operations and maritime activities. • Directs the operations of the Department’s ferry systems and establishing high performance standards, operational benchmarks, and long-term improvement strategies. • Develops and implements vessel life cycle management systems including condition assessment, dry-docking, scheduling, and replacement planning. • Oversees the development of contracts and agreements for vessel construction, vessel retrofitting, dry-docking, repairs, fuel supply, infrastructure construction and related ferry operations services. • Oversees the coordination of emergency response and continuity of operations planning for ferry service during hurricanes, severe weather, and other disruptions. • Oversees compliance with the United States Coast Guard, Federal Transit Administration, Federal Highway Administration and other federal and state regulations applicable to inspected vehicle and passenger vessels, including Certificates of • Inspection and vessel security plans • Oversees credentialing and training requirements for ferry operations personnel consistent with United States Coast Guard and Department standards. • Performs other job responsibilities as assigned. Minimum Qualifications: Education: Bachelor's Degree in related discipline (Marine Transportation or Eng, Naval Architect, Engineering) Relevant work experience may be substituted for degree on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications Experience: • 5 years of experience in marine transportation, maritime transit management, vessel operations planning, or related experience (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent) Related graduate level education may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis. • Must have three (3) years supervisory/managerial experience. Project leader or lead worker experience may substitute for supervisory/managerial experience. Licenses and Certifications: Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle. Mandatory: Safety Impact Certificate Competencies: Extensive knowledge of • Federal, state, and local laws and regulations relevant to program areas and of the principles and practices of public administration and management • Maintenance concepts, methods, policies and requirements • Methods, procedures, equipment, and materials used in intermodal transportation and ferry engineering construction and maintenance work • Maritime operations, ferry operations, and United States Coast Guard regulatory frameworks applicable to inspected passenger vessels • Developing, implementing, and monitoring budgets and resources Considerable knowledge of • Communication strategies, policies and methods • Contract development and oversight • Applicable laws, rules, and regulations • Legislative process Expert skill in • Establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support overall business strategy/results; anticipating and adjusting for problems/roadblocks • Directing and establishing objectives; clarifying roles and responsibilities through individual performance plans; monitoring and measuring performance against goals; evaluating results and making necessary adjustments to meet deadlines • Persuasion, negotiation, and communication of critical issues • Interpreting and analyzing legislation, rules, and regulations Proficient skill in • Public relations for maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external • Administering applicable programs • Directing the development and implementation of policy and operating procedures • Analyzing, organizing, and communicating business and technical data • Communicating complex ideas and information clearly, concisely, and effectively • Developing and giving presentations Ability to • Board and disembark vessels at fixed piers, ascend and descend vessel stairs under varying weather and tide conditions during inspections and operational visits Other Attributes • Manages financial and personnel resources to achieve individual and organizational goals • Collaborates and cooperates with others and builds effective working relationships with internal and external members to accomplish organizational goals Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: Conditions of Employment: Please read the Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT) for all positions. • This is a Safety Impact position, and you will be required to pass a pre-employment drug test and will be subject to random drug testing. • Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) – does not authorize “medical marijuana” under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position. TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category. Click on the appropriate occupational category to view the MOS codes. The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Action of 1990. Additional Applicant Information