Career Opportunity

Transportation Controller Trainee, TMC - SFMTA (9152)

Recruitment: RTF0156841-01088189

Published: May 06, 2025

Accepting applications until: May 21, 2025

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal.

About:

The SFMTA, a department of the City and County of San Francisco, oversees Muni (the historic Municipal Railway), parking and traffic, bicycling, walking and taxis. Over one million people get around San Francisco and rely on us to ensure safe and reliable travel.

Our Vision: Excellent transportation choices for San Francisco.
Our Mission: We connect San Francisco through a safe, equitable, and sustainable transportation.

Role description

APPOINTMENT TYPE: This is a Permanent Exempt appointment.  This position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer. 

Individuals appointed will be assigned to a Transportation Controller Trainee Program and must pass all modules within the parameters set forth in the training program policy to qualify for class 9153 Transportation Controller.  Individuals must apply and be successful in the Civil Service 9153 examination process in order to gain Civil Service appointment in the 9153 classification.

Application Opening: May 7, 2025

Deadline to Apply: May 21, 2025

Recruitment ID: PEX-9152-156842

RTF0156841-01088189

RTF0156841-01098108

Salary:  $106,782 - $129,818 yearly

Schedule: Varies

Vacancies: 2

Please Note: A cover letter and resume must be attached to the online application. The supplemental questionnaire must also be completed to be considered for the position. 

The Transportation Controller Trainee is part of the Transportation Controller Trainee Program that develops professional competence as a journey level Transportation Controller while working under the guidance and supervision of SFMTA Transportation Management Center (TMC) and Training staff. Work is performed under close supervision and is evaluated on the basis of progress in a structured working experience training program. Incumbents work with increased independence as professional competence is demonstrated.

Demonstrated professional competence and successful completion of the structured training program leads to promotion to the 9153 Transportation Controller position. The salary range for the 9153 Transportation Controller position is $134,316-$163,228 annually.

WE’RE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO IS:

• An organized thinker who thrives in working in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities.
• A proactive go-getter who anticipates the needs of the Transit Division and has solutions on hand for any situation that may arise.
• A candidate who is experienced within a central control environment responsible for the movement of Rail Vehicles or buses for a large local, state, or federal transportation or defense agency.
• A candidate who is analytical and understands the applications of road and service maps, video images, graphical text data, icons, and transportation modes and symbols in written/digital format.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBITIES:

Participate in a structured on-the-job training program including, but not limited to the following:

• Monitoring bus, trolley, surface rail, and subway transit system operations using system devices and equipment to assess information on operations activities and external conditions affecting operations.
• Operating automated equipment systems in real time on computer workstations using complex software systems displayed on multiple monitors/systems.
• Monitoring and responding to multiple information feeds using Computer Aided Dispatch/Automated Vehicle Location (CAD/AVL), traffic signal control for bus rapid transit, control street level closed circuit TV cameras.
• Analyzing and interpreting visual and graphical information from the Transportation Management Center (TMC) display wall, road and service maps, video image displays, graphical text data, icons, and transportation modes and symbols in written/digital formats.
• Assessing and addressing in-service vehicle operation problems.
• Posting messages to public information systems.
• Coordinating transportation control with SFGov’s traffic management systems.
• Operating the digital radio system.

Attend classroom-style training related to transportation control functions including, but not limited to, the following:

• Transportation control standard operating procedures and control room coordination protocols.
• Critical thinking and decision-making.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity.
• Delivering Results: Meeting organizational goals and customer expectations and making decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals.
• Safety Focus: Showing vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards.
• Organizational Systems Thinking: Comprehending the organization as a system of integrated and interdependent functions.
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications.
• Listening: Full comprehending spoken communication.

How to qualify

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The following are required to be possessed as of the filing deadline for applications:

1. Three (3) years of experience equivalent to San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency job codes 9139 Transit Supervisor and/or 9136 Transit Training Specialist; OR
2. Five (5) years of experience, within the past ten (10) years, as a rail vehicle operator; OR
3. Two (2) years of experience working in a central control environment responsible for the movement of rail vehicles or buses for a local, state, or federal transportation agency.

The following must be possessed as of the filing deadline for applications and maintained throughout the duration of appointment.  These minimum qualifications ensure that hires will possess necessary standards of delivering safe and quality service.

1. No accidents where applicant contributed to the cause (i.e., preventable) in the previous thirty-six (36) months; AND
2. No preventable non-collision safety incidents in the previous twelve (12) months; AND
3. No suspensions in the previous twelve (12) months; AND
4. No Performance Appraisals within the previous twelve (12) months with an overall determination of unsatisfactory performance.

The following will be assessed during the probationary period:

1. 1. Ability to utilize software applications related to the work of the assigned unit.

Note:  Employees must maintain the requirements for the position during the course of employment.

Desirable Qualifications
The stated desirable qualifications may be used to identify candidates advancing to the interview process and/or to identify job finalist(s) at the end of the selection process when referred for hiring.

• Experience working in a central control environment for a public transit agency
• Experience operating 2-way radio communications systems
• Experience with CAD/AVL/GPS (e.g., NextBus or OrbCAD) software
• Experience with computer mapping software/applications
• Experience writing transit incident reports
• Ability to monitor multiple systems simultaneously
• Demonstrates problem solving skills for responding to emergencies or operational issues
• Ability to work effectively with diverse communities and stakeholders

What else should I know?

Verification of Education and Experience
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. More information can be found at: https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#verification. Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

Prior to final selections being made, candidates in consideration for hire will have their employment records as well as state and internal driving records reviewed to ensure possession of the above minimum qualifications.  Candidates who were not SFMTA employees for part of or all of the time periods being reviewed will be required to provide additional documentation verifying possession of the minimum qualifications.

How to Apply
Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process.

1. Visit Careers with Purpose | City and County of San Francisco (sf.gov)
2. Type "9152" in to the "Search by class or keyword" field.
3. Click the link to open the Job Announcement.
4. Select the “Apply Now” button and follow instructions on the screen.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notification@careers.sf.gov that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

Medical Examination/Drug Testing:

Candidates who are being considered for appointment may be required to pass a medical examination. Candidates who cannot meet the medical requirement will be placed under waiver until this requirement is met. The medical examination will be administered only to those applicants who are being considered for appointment.


Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement
• SFMTA Employee Wellness Program

This recruitment may be utilized to fill similar positions in this classification at SFMTA.

For questions or inquiries, please contact: Silvia Yuan, Human Resources Analyst at 415-646-2320.  

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.