Chief Innovation Officer

Posting number: 000-MTA-CINOOF-11/26-MA

Department: Maryland Transit Administration

Job classification: DOT EXECUTIVE VI

Posting type: Open

Categories: Administrative Assistant, Clerical & Data Entry, Engineering, Transportation, Safety, Transit, Customer Service, Project Management, Organizational Development, Program Management, Database Administration, Audit

Summary

MARYLAND TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION

Join the Team That Moves Maryland!

Now Hiring: Chief Innovation Officer (DOT Executive VI) (8033)

Are you ready to take on a career where your work directly impacts the lives of thousands of Marylanders every day? Do you thrive in fast-paced environments, enjoy solving real-time challenges, and feel motivated by meaningful public service?

If so, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) wants you on our team.

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is seeking a visionary and results-driven Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) to provide executive leadership in advancing innovation, strategic initiatives, and the future of public transportation throughout Maryland.

The Chief Innovation Officer will lead the development and implementation of agency-wide innovation strategies designed to enhance transit services, improve regional mobility, and support MTA’s mission, vision, and long-term strategic goals. This executive-level position will provide strategic oversight and alignment of major transportation project development and delivery, external affairs, and government relations initiatives. Working collaboratively with local, state, and federal stakeholders, the Chief Innovation Officer will advance integrated transportation solutions that strengthen accessibility, reliability, operational efficiency, and economic development while effectively navigating complex governmental and policy environments.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Strategic Innovation Leadership: Develop and execute MTA’s innovation vision and strategy, establishing and leading the Office of Innovation to advance emerging technologies, modernize transit operations, and align initiatives with the agency’s mission, strategic priorities, and long-term mobility goals.

• Technology Integration & Operational Modernization: Identify, evaluate, and implement emerging transportation technologies, including autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence (AI), microtransit, and enhanced connectivity solutions. Oversee pilot programs and modernization efforts involving fare collection, real-time service tracking, workforce deployment, and data analytics to improve operational efficiency and customer experience.

• Strategic Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies, private-sector organizations, universities, labor partners, and community stakeholders. Represent MTA in industry forums, promote innovative transportation solutions, and collaborate with executive leadership to advance agency priorities while addressing regulatory, legal, and procurement considerations.

• Sustainability & Future Mobility Initiatives: Lead sustainability and climate-focused initiatives, including the transition to zero-emission fleets and the development of long-range mobility strategies. Leverage data-driven decision-making, emerging technologies, and innovative policies to improve transit accessibility, reliability, and regional connectivity while supporting Federal Transit Administration priorities

The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional executive leadership, strategic vision, and the ability to translate innovative ideas into measurable results that modernize transit operations, strengthen regional partnerships, and position MTA as a leader in the future of public transportation.

Location: Baltimore City

Examples of duties

Education: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration, Transportation Planning, Engineering, Information Technology, Public Policy, or a closely related field.

Experience: Fifteen (15) years of experience in public transportation, transportation planning, transportation operations, technology innovation, strategic planning, public administration, government, infrastructure development, or a closely related field involving organizational innovation, emerging technologies, strategic partnerships, and operational improvement.  *At least five (5) years of the required experience must have included senior executive management experience or administrative and supervisory responsibility, including the development and implementation of strategic initiatives, organizational transformation, or large-scale innovation programs.

*Selective Qualification recruitments are utilized when the position requires specific or additional bona fide occupational qualifications (knowledge, skill, or ability). No substitution is allowed for a selective qualification.

Qualifications

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties that require operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the state of Maryland.

Supplemental information

Managers should foster a positive safety culture by leading with integrity and establishing departmental safety practices and procedures for all employees. Managers should attend and participate in safety meetings and adhere to and enforce all safety rules, policies, regulations, and personal protective equipment requirements to support a safe and healthy working environment. Ensure employees are properly trained and provided with personal protective equipment to conduct their job functions in a safe manner. Report hazards, unsafe acts, near misses, injuries, and accidents immediately to the Office of Safety. Collaboratively work to mitigate reported hazards in a timely manner. Conduct safety risk assessments and/or job hazard analyses as needed.

To support a safe and healthy work environment, employees must refrain from willful violations of safety rules and procedures, reckless and negligent behavior, involvement in criminal activities, and the misuse of drugs or alcohol. Failure to adhere to this requirement may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. May only perform work for which they have the appropriate safety training.

To Apply:
You must complete a Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) application (Form DTS-1) to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes may not be substituted for the application. For employment may be based solely on the contents of your application; therefore, it is essential that the application is filled out completely and accurately, listing all relevant experience in detail and addressing the specific requirements shown above. Please include all relevant experience on your application. This includes, but is not limited to, full or part time, volunteer, military, acting capacity, or any other experience that is relevant to the position you are applying for within MDOT, one of the Transportation Business Units, or the Authority.

Note: Applications not completely filled out will not be considered. The selected candidate may be subject to background and reference checks. Employees are subject to the State Substance Abuse Policy to include possible drug testing.

It is highly recommended that applications be completed and submitted online by registering at www.mdot.maryland.gov/employment. Make sure you meet the minimum and selective qualifications and follow the instructions on MDOT's Online Employment Center website.
Applicants with degrees granted outside of the United States will be required to provide a written evaluation of education documentation by a credentialing organization such as: International Credential Evaluation (WES), https://www.wes.org/.

Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities will be provided as requested.

The incumbent in this position is not a member of a covered bargaining unit.

The Maryland Department of Transportation is not sponsoring new employees in application of the H-18 Visa at this time due to budgetary constraints. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Federal regulations prohibit H1B Visa candidates from paying sponsorship fees; all sponsorship fees must be assumed by the potential employer.

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MTA does not discriminate based on age, ancestry, color, creed, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religious affiliation, belief or opinion, sex, or sexual orientation, or any other protected status.

Issue Date: 11/06/2026