Upcoming Manager/Operations Manager Level Leadership Training Program (LTP) 2026

About this Program: The Leadership Training Program is designed for Minnesota public transit systems to enhance leadership skills and competencies to advance leadership and management within their organization.

Managers will participate in 6 two-day training sessions and receive 1-hour coaching sessions and participate in a 1-hour peer networking group every other month along with some pre-work and assignments.

The cost of the training is covered by RTAP and breakfast and lunch will be provided on training days. Participants are responsible for their own lodging, meals outside of training hours, and mileage, but scholarships may be available from RTAP if you don’t have funds in your operating budget to cover these costs. 

Is this level right for you? 

• Position Description: Direct supervisor of operators and dispatchers. Makes day-to-day on-the-ground decisions about staffing and troubleshoots issues as they arise; Personnel decisions at a low level (review disciplinary actions or if a street complaint gets escalated, legal issues, etc.). They may oversee safety concerns and violations and handle citations, accidents, complaints, drug and alcohol, and post-accident reports. They assist with committee coordination/involvement and joint powers meetings, team building, networking and outreach organizing and community involvement. Represents the organization at certain meetings.
• Position Titles: Operations Manager, IT Manager, Street Supervisor, Transportation Manager, Transit Planner, Marketing Specialist, Transportation Supervisor, Maintenance Manager, Volunteer Driver Coordinator, Transit Coordinator, Planning Manager, Compliance and Safety Manager, Driver Development and Safety Coordinator, Community Outreach Manager, Training and Safety Manager.
• Topics may include: Ethics, Strengths, Managing Employees, Effective Communication, Delegating and Leading Through Change, Managing External Stakeholders, Managing a Diverse Workforce, Conflict Resolution, Work/Life Balance, Asset Management, Managing Policy, Middle Managing, Labor Relations, Personal Action Planning, and other related topics.
• Session Duration: 2 full-day sessions every other month; coaching and peer group in the off-month.
• Format: in-person training sessions with virtual/phone call coaching.

About the Trainer: DRI Consulting, a management consulting firm based in North Oaks, Minnesota, is facilitating the Leadership Training Program. Learn more here: dric.com/team

Registration Deadline: December 5, 2025

Monthly Hotel Block information will be provided at a later date.