Metropolitan Transportation Authority Careers

JOB TITLE:                          Chief of Police

SALARY RANGE:                $207,173 - $232,265

HAY POINTS:                      1450

DEPT/DIV:                          MTA Police Department

SUPERVISOR:                     Chief Security Officer

LOCATION:                         420 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10170

SUMMARY

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chief of Police (Police Chief) has overall authority of the MTA Police Department (MTAPD) and the responsibility to maintain peace and order within the MTA transportation system which supports 70,000 employees, and over 8 million daily customers. The Police Chief’s primary role is to safeguard the MTA's riding public and enforce standards of conduct associated with the MTA transportation system. These standards are designed to ensure a quality transportation experience for employees and public users of the system. The Police Chief will ensure the MTAPD is recognized as a best-in-class police force and one that delivers fair, diligent, vigilant, helpful, community minded policing.

The Police Chief is a visible position that, on behalf of the MTA Chief Security Officer, directly interacts with the local, county and city officials that are along the MTA right-of-way. The Police Chief also has accountability for leading joint efforts with other police, city, state, and federal authorities on matters of security to safeguard the riding public, employees and MTA systems and property.             

The MTAPD operates on MTA properties in New York City (five Boroughs), all Long Island, major sections of the New York (NY) Hudson Valley and Southwestern Connecticut. This area includes 5,000 square miles of territory, over 2000 miles of track, 700 stations, 6,000 buses, and 10,000 train cars, and the roadways across seven bridges and two tunnels in mixed environments of urban, suburban, and rural communities; all of which must be safeguarded against, inappropriate behaviors, crime, possible terrorism activity, and trespassers. Also included in the MTAPD area of responsibility are two major and historic transportation hubs (Grand Central Terminal & NY Penn Station) on the Northeast Corridor between Washington,

D.C. and Boston, MA.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead New York State's 5th largest police department, which includes a civilian support group and covers the most populated metropolitan area in the nation and areas located in two states. Direct police deployment programs to keep MTA's customers, 70K employees, safe and secure on MTA properties and transportation networks.
• Institutionalize the enforcement of all the laws, ordinances, and standards of conduct rules within the jurisdiction of the MTA and its agencies. Maintain awareness of all laws and revisions and provide training and development to the force to be sure that they are fully trained in all aspects of law enforcement.
• Recruit, train, and integrate new sworn officers into the force, who will support operations across the MTA. The Police Chief will develop and implement strategies for missions of the police department which include supplementing police operations in the New York City Transit (NYCT) subway and buses regarding improved customer quality of life, community policing and support to homeless operations.
• Drive coordination and implementation of security programs with the police forces of the many city, county, state, and suburban communities within the MTA's geographic footprint
• Drive innovation and solve complex problems related to police operations and public safety.
• In coordination with the MTA Agency operations staff, promote enforcement of railroad crossings and bus lane requirements and provide emergency operations support during weather and special event contingencies.
• Develop and manage departmental budget to deliver maximum utilization of both employee and equipment resources while effectively delivering security services across the transportation system.
• Facilitate the training and professional development of the MTA police force, such that its officers are self-motivated, empowered, and mission focused to provide prehensive and good quality of life experience for customers and employees. This includes selecting, developing, and motivating personnel within the department. Provide career development for subordinates. Provide prompt and effective coaching and counseling. Responsible for discipline/termination of employees when necessary. Review performance of staff. Create a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables all employees to develop and contribute to their full potential. Ensures that all uniformed personnel are motivated and trained to the highest possible level. Also, this includes interfacing with outside federal, state, and local authorities to develop effective and comprehensive plans and to take such precautionary steps as necessary to safeguard the public and the MTA physical operations.             
• Maintain a robust data analysis capability that guides the prioritization of policing efforts.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• Must demonstrate a strong background in leading and managing large groups and delivering strong decisive leadership.
• A strong commitment to public safety and public transportation
• In-depth knowledge of police operations, criminal justice systems, and law enforcement best practices.
• Documented experience in developing strategic action plans for police operations and departmental improvements, knowledge of large-scale urban protest management and demonstrated ability and experience protecting sensitive public locations and interacting with protest organizers and collaborating with partner agencies.
• Knowledge and experience in budgeting and resource allocation for law enforcement agencies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of effective management practices for personnel and equipment.
• Demonstrated familiarity with crisis management strategies and emergency response protocols.
• Demonstrated knowledge of strategies for managing large-scale emergency incidents and public safety crises.
• Demonstrated knowledge of outreach programs and initiatives to enhance public trust and engagement and demonstrated experience in collaborating with community and/or business leaders.
• Demonstrated knowledge of advancements in police technology
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with elected and community officials.
• Demonstrated ability to work with all internal levels within a given organization.
• Demonstrated experience communicating and collaborating well with external agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a high-profile, high-pressure environment effectively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and presentation skills.
• Experience updating the public on law enforcement operations.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Must have strong managerial skills to effectively direct a staff of professional and technical employees in implementing the short- and long-term goals and direction of the functional group.
• Demonstrated ability to complete short- and long-term projects effectively and as efficiently as possible.
• Demonstrated analytical capabilities and quantitative skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage internal investigations and implementation of quality assurance programs.
• Knowledge of the criminal investigation process and experience in managing detective operations.
• Experience leading large crime “Comp Stat” meetings or similar convenings that cover crime control related to multiple precincts/districts, review of the investigative process and enforcement operations.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Legal, or Criminal Justice or a related field from an accredited college. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Served as the Chief Executive of a police agency with more than 500 sworn officers for more than two (2) years or served in a senior executive leadership capacity with more than 2,000 sworn officers or serviced in a senior executive leadership capacity within the MTAPD for more than two (2) years.
• Minimum of fourteen (14) years of law enforcement experience including ten (10) years of experience in command leadership positions within police or law enforcement environments with more than 500 sworn members.
• New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Certified Police Officer or must be able to become certified within one year of employment.

PREFERRED

• Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in Business, Legal, or Criminal Justice or a related field from an accredited college.
• Executive leadership experience within a transportation law enforcement environment

GENERAL

• May need to work outside of normal work hours (i.e., evenings and weekends).
• Travel may be required to other MTA locations or other external sites.

OTHER INFORMATION

Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.