Specialist, Transit Equity at RTD in Denver, CO

Please complete the application in its entirety. Include all previous employment so that it may be taken into consideration. Please include a resume attachment with submittal of your application. Resume should document months and years with your dates of employment. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received before the closing date and time listed.

At Regional Transportation District (RTD), We make lives better through connections!

When you join RTD, you will be among dedicated employees exhibiting RTD's values of passion, respect, diversity, trustworthiness, collaboration, and ownership. RTD is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace. As part of our diversity value statement, we encourage our employees to honor diversity in thought, people, and experience. Come join RTD on this great journey to be the trusted leader in mobility, delivering excellence and value to our customers and community.

RTD Employee Benefits: https://www.rtd-denver.com/careers/benefits

(RTD Represented Employee Benefits: Please refer to the Labor Agreement included in the above link for details.)

This position ensures RTD’s compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 49 CFR Part 21, Federal Transit Administration Title VI Circular 4702.1B, and applicable Colorado nondiscrimination laws. The role serves as a subject matter expert responsible for evaluating and advising on equity considerations in agency policies, programs, and service decisions, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements while advancing equitable outcomes for historically underserved communities.

The Specialist conducts and contributes to complex service and fare equity analyses, manages discrimination complaint investigations, and provides strategic guidance across departments to ensure equitable outcomes for historically underserved and protected populations. The role also supports the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Title VI Program, which includes the Language Access Plan and Public Participation Plan.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

ESSENTIAL:

Title VI Program Implementation and Reporting

• Contributes to the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Title VI Program, including supporting related policies, procedures, and plans.

• Assists in preparing required documentation and reports for executive leadership, Board of Directors, and the Federal Transit Administration.

• Supports updates to program methodologies, policies, and procedures based on regulatory changes and evolving best practices.

• Tracks and reports on key program metrics, including service monitoring and public engagement outcomes.

Equity Analysis and Compliance

• Conducts service performance monitoring and equity analyses for major service changes, fare changes, and facility siting decisions in accordance with Title VI Program methodologies.

• Applies quantitative and qualitative analytical methods to evaluate potential disparate impacts and disproportionate burdens.

• Utilizes tools such as GIS, Excel, and other analytical platforms, along with datasets including ACS, LEHD, and GTFS, to assess demographic patterns, service impacts, and equity outcomes.

• Monitors agency programs, services, and policies to identify potential equity concerns and supports development of recommendations to address them.

• Completes and presents reports summarizing the analysis of quantitative and/or qualitative data and explains trends related to transit equity.

• Escalates complex or high-risk issues to senior staff and collaborates on appropriate mitigation strategies.

Public Engagement and Community Partnerships

• Implements the Public Participation Plan and Language Access Plan, including tracking outreach effectiveness and identifying opportunities for improvement.

• Builds and maintains diverse relationships with community-based organizations, local governments, and other stakeholders to support equitable engagement and information sharing.

• Designs, coordinates, facilitates, and attends inclusive public engagement activities focused on reaching historically underserved populations.

• Supports contractors and partners conducting outreach to ensure alignment with agency equity goals.

Complaint Investigation and Reporting

• Assists with and conducts investigations of alleged discrimination in accordance with agency policy and federal and state requirements.

• Performs fact-finding activities, including interviews, documentation review, and evidence gathering.

• Prepares draft findings, summaries, and correspondence related to complaint investigations.

• Coordinates with senior staff, management, and Legal on complex or sensitive cases and supports implementation of resolutions as appropriate.

• Applies RTD’s Transit Equity Nondiscrimination Policy to determine findings and supports preparation of final determinations.

Training, Collaboration, and Internal Support

• Develops and delivers training and educational materials related to Title VI, nondiscrimination, and language access requirements for employees, managers, and contractors.

• Provides subject matter input and support to internal departments, including Service Development, Planning, Operations, Customer Care, and Legal, to help incorporate equity considerations into decision-making processes.

• Collaborates across business units to identify and address equity-related issues in agency policies, procedures, and practices.

OTHER:

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration/Policy, Economics, Environmental Studies, Planning (Urban, Regional), Psychology, Sociology, Statistics or a related field with demonstrated course work in transportation policy, civil rights, public policy and analysis required or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.

• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in professional level work with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Equal Employment Opportunity, social work, or urban planning.

• A minimum of two (2) years of experience developing relationships with diverse community stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience conducting service or fare equity analyses in a transit or transportation setting

• Experience using GIS for demographic or service analysis

OR

• An equivalent combination of education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Key Competencies & Characteristics:

• Working knowledge of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Federal Transit Administration requirements (49 CFR Part 21 and Circular 4702.1B), and applicable Colorado nondiscrimination laws, with the ability to interpret and apply regulatory requirements to real-world scenarios and agency decision-making.

• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses using demographic, service, and survey data, and to synthesize complex information into clear, accurate, and actionable insights.

• Experience using analytical tools and datasets, including GIS, spreadsheet/database applications, and sources such as U.S. Census (ACS), LEHD, and transit data (e.g., GTFS), to evaluate patterns, trends, and equity outcomes.

• Ability to conduct objective fact-finding and evaluate information from multiple sources, applying critical thinking to assess ambiguous situations and develop well-reasoned, defensible findings and recommendations.

• Exercises sound judgment and maintains confidentiality when handling sensitive or complex issues.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly present complex information, facilitate discussions, and engage effectively in sensitive or challenging situations.

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders, including community members, partner organizations, and internal staff.

• Ability to support and implement inclusive public engagement and outreach strategies that effectively reach historically underserved and linguistically diverse populations, with demonstrated cultural competency.

• Ability to work collaboratively across departments, navigate organizational dynamics, and provide constructive input to support equitable decision-making.

• Strong organizational and time management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently and under direction, and appropriately escalate issues when needed.

• Demonstrates accountability, adaptability, and a willingness to learn in a complex and evolving environment.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those required by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodations,

• The work environment is a typical office environment with minimal exposure to excessive noise or adverse environmental issues.

CAREER MAP:

 

Pay Range:

$71,043.00 - $100,348.50 Annual

EEO POLICY AND ADA ACCOMMODATIONS 

RTD is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless to the race, sex, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. RTD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, promotions, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to our Employment ADA Coordinator Kris Frazier at adarequests@rtd-denver.com, or the Talent Acquisition team rtd.ta@rtd-denver.com.

To learn more or see our EEO policy, please visit our EEO page at: https://www.rtd-denver.com/open-records/reports-and-policies/eeo-policy

RTD posts a compensation range that represents a good faith estimate of what RTD anticipates paying for the position at the time of posting.  Starting salary is based on the candidate’s relevant and verified education, training and work experience.  Applicants should submit all relevant and verifiable education, training and work experiences at the time of application.