About NJ Transit
NJ Transit (NJT) is a public corporation whose mission is to move New Jersey and the region by providing safe, reliable and affordable public transportation that connects people to their everyday lives, one trip at a time.
Covering a service area of 5,325 square miles, NJT is the nation’s third largest provider of bus, rail and light rail transit, linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia. The agency operates an active fleet of 2,221 buses, 1,231 trains and 93 light rail vehicles. On 253 bus routes and 12 rail lines statewide, NJT provides nearly 270 million passenger trips each year.
NJT also administers several publicly funded transit programs for people with disabilities, senior citizens and people living in the state’s rural areas who have no other means of transportation. In addition, the agency provides support and equipment to privately owned contract bus carriers.
NJT was named again to the Forbes America’s Best Employers by State list for 2024. Learn more about NJ Transit at https://www.njtransit.com/.
The Opportunity
NJ TRANSIT is seeking a dynamic, mission-driven, hands-on and visionary Chief, Civil Rights Officer seeking to lead the organization through its next phase of growth and development.
The Chief, Civil Rights Officer is responsible for maintaining compliance with federal regulations, interpreting applicable federal laws and regulations, and implementing programs that address these laws and regulations while supporting NJ TRANSIT's mission. The Chief of Civil Rights Programs also serves as NJ TRANSIT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Liaison Officer (DBELO) and Title VI & Environmental Justice Liaison Officer to the Federal Transportation Association; ADA Compliance Officer and Public Agency Compliance Officer (PACO) for the State of New Jersey. This position ensures the organizational observance and compliance with all NJ TRANSIT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Title VI & Environmental Justice, American with Disabilities Act (ADA), Small Business Enterprise (SBE)/ Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (DVOB) and public agency compliance activities and obligations.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Provide guidance and direction to Senior Leadership, and interact and communicate with the federal, state, and local partners including, but not limited to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
- Conduct periodic site visits to project locations as well as interaction with the public and other agencies.
- Collaborate in the development of internal and external communication, presentation and training material related to DBE, Title VI/EJ, ADA, and SBE/DVOB public agency compliance.
- Analyze complex issues, identifies problems, implements solutions, and monitor outcomes for Civil Rights Programs.
- Serve as NJ TRANSIT's representative and spokesperson for civil rights related matters with national committees, trade associations, community-based organizations and other business and professional organizations. Act as a resource to and liaison between department and internal/external contacts.
- Develop, plan, implement and monitor departmental budget activities for all Civil Rights Programs.
- Manage oversight of Civil Rights programs (i.e., DBE, Title VI and ADA Compliance) to ensure compliance with federal/state regulations, policies, and guidelines.
- Provide monitoring and oversight with recommendations for implementing any changes to these programs when necessary.
Programs include:
- Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) Program:
- Ensure that NJ TRANSIT meets the DBE obligations for all procurements and associated FTA reporting requirements.
- Provide guidance and consulting with Senior Leadership and executive management on the interpretation and implementation of the DBE Federal Program and annual goals.
- Ensure small business participation in the procurement and solicitation process by reviewing scopes of work, specifications, solicitations and contract terms and conditions for compliance with FTA requirements for small/disadvantaged business participation.
- Implement and manage outreach programs.
- Monitor, investigate, and resolve complaints of alleged discrimination and/or violation of the DBE requirements, as well as protests of awards made on the basis of such discrimination and/or violation.
- Coordinate with managers/staff as appropriate.
- Title VI Program:
- Responsible for ensuring that federally supported transit services and related benefits are distributed in an equitable manner. Responsible to ensure that NJ TRANSIT meets Title VI and Environmental Justice requirements.
- Monitor, investigate and resolve complaints of alleged discrimination that a person, or persons were denied the benefits of, excluded from participation in, or subject to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, or national origin under any programs or activities.
- ADA Compliance:
- Assist with compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as needed in coordination with applicable departments and staff. o Develop strategies to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related regulations.
- Collaborate with disability advocacy groups, community organizations, and other stakeholders to promote accessibility and address ADA-related concerns.
- Stay informed about changes in ADA regulations and best practices. Implement necessary updates to ensure ongoing compliance with ADA requirements.
The Chief, Civil Rights Officer supervises the Senior Director, Office of Business Development, the Director, Title VI/Environmental Justice Compliance, and the Director, ADA Compliance.
Education, Experience and Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in business, Public Administration, or related area or equivalent, and ten (10) years of applied experience in Civil Rights Programs, including experience in the development, management, and administration of DBE/SBE/MBE/WBE programs.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Excellent leadership, management, organizational, communication and interpersonal skills.
- Proven proficiency in building relationships and working collaboratively with Senior Leadership and other stakeholders to improve Civil Rights initiatives and programs.
- Proven proficiency in relationship management and leadership skills, including ability to drive healthy discussions about sophisticated issues at all levels of the organization.
- Excellent project management skills, with expertise in building, managing, and scaling programs that involve significant change management, high-profile outcomes, and multiple organizational partners.
- Exceptional project management, organizational, interpersonal, analytical, problem-solving, oral, and written communication skills.
- Innovative thinking and the capability to articulate a vision to teams across the organization.
- Strong, collaborative leader with high emotional intelligence and an ability to influence and drive change in the organization.
- Superior presentation skills with the competence to exert influence, inspire others, and articulate strategic vision and goals, and execute consistent NJ TRANSIT branding.
Desired Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Master’s degree and experience in Civil Rights Programs.
- Public sector experience.
Compensation & Benefits
The compensation for the role of Chief, Civil Rights Officer is above $200,000.
At NJ Transit you will enjoy a competitive salary and excellent benefits package including Comprehensive Family Health Insurance – Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance, Paid Leave, Tuition Assistance, Commuter benefits and a 401(a), 401(b), 401(k) Retirement Plans – up to 9% employer contribution.
NJ TRANSIT is an equal employment opportunity workplace committed to inclusion and diversity. As an advocate of NJ TRANSIT’s commitment, the Office of EEO/AA is charged with ensuring that the agency’s equal opportunity and affirmative action programs are free from discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, liability for military service, mental or physical disability, ancestry, age, sex, pregnancy, breastfeeding, gender identity and expression, transgender status, marital status, civil union status, religion, domestic partnership status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, or any other federal or state protected category. Our office investigates allegations of employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation; conducts harassment and discrimination prevention training; and develops and monitors, the Equal Opportunity, and Affirmation Action Program under Executive order 11246 and the requirements of the Federal Transit Administration.