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Deputy Director of Human Resources

Salary

$104,519.00 - $162,800.00 Annually

Location

Baltimore City

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

8031-MTA-HRDD-11/25

Department

Maryland Transit Administration

Opening Date

11/13/2025

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Description

Maryland Transit Administration

Deputy Director of Human Resources

DOT EXECUTIVE IV (8031)

Executive Service

This position serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority

Open to all qualified applicants

Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply

Are you seeking a job where your work is rewarding and provides excellent benefits?

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), an agency within the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), is seeking a highly skilled and strategic Deputy Director of Human Resources to lead and modernize programs in Benefits and Pension Administration, Leave Management, Employee Wellness, and Return to Work Programs.

Reporting directly to the HR Director, this role serves as a senior member of the HR leadership team responsible for ensuring operational excellence, compliance, and innovation in the administration of MTA’s self-funded employee health and pension plans within a unionized environment. The Deputy Director partners with Finance, Labor Relations, Legal, and executive leadership to design, administer, and govern benefit and leave programs that balance fiscal responsibility, employee satisfaction, and collective bargaining obligations for a workforce of over 3,500 union employees and 800 non-union employees, as well as approximately 5,000 retirees.

Why Join MTA

At MTA, we move Maryland forward—every day. As part of our Human Resources leadership team, you’ll play a vital role in building a modern, people-centered HR operation that supports the dedicated employees who keep Maryland moving.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategy

Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight to Managers in the administration of the Benefits, Pension, Leave, Wellness, and Return to Work teams.

Advise the HR Director and executive team on benefit funding trends, actuarial data, compliance risks, and cost-containment strategies.

Oversee modernization efforts to improve HR processes, data governance, and integration with enterprise HRIS systems (e.g., Infor).

Serve as Acting HR Director when delegated.

Pension and Benefits Administration

Direct the administration of MTA’s self-funded health, welfare, and pension plans, ensuring fiduciary accountability, governance, and compliance with applicable laws (IRS, ERISA exemptions for public entities, and state regulations).

Demonstrate knowledge of FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, COBRA, Worker’s Compensation, Leave of Absence, and applicable federal, state and local leave and employment laws.

Oversee vendor and third-party administrator (TPA) relationships, including contract performance, service-level agreements (SLAs), and annual renewals.

Ensure accurate plan data, employee eligibility, and contribution processing in collaboration with Payroll and HRIS teams.

Prepare reports, metrics, and dashboards for executive management, finance, labor partners, and auditors.

Support union negotiations related to benefits and pension plan provisions; interpret and apply collective bargaining language governing benefits eligibility and cost-sharing.

Leave and Return to Work Programs

Lead development, compliance, and administration of leave of absence programs (e.g. FMLA, LOA, Return to Work, and Attendance Improvement strategies).

Partner with internal departments in managing employee cases that require coordination with ADA, Workers’ Compensation, Labor Relations, and other relevant stakeholders.

Develop and implement workforce strategies to improve attendance, engagement, and productivity.

Utilize data analytics to monitor trends, reduce absenteeism, and inform policy updates.

Employee Wellness and Engagement

Oversee MTA’s wellness and preventive health programs; ensure alignment with agency goals for employee well-being, morale, and retention.

Evaluate the effectiveness of wellness initiatives through participation metrics, health outcomes, and ROI analysis.

Compliance and Governance

Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws; collective bargaining agreements; and internal policies.

Maintain readiness for audits and internal reviews related to benefits, pension, or leave programs.

Oversee development of policies, SOPs, and employee communications that promote transparency and understanding.

The current vacancy is located in Baltimore City, MD

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field

Experience: At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible HR experience, including three (3) years managing or overseeing benefits and/or pension programs—preferably within a self-funded or public-sector plan. Three (3) years in a supervisory or management capacity.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree or professional certifications (CEBS, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, IPMA-CP).

Experience working with unionized workforces and collective bargaining agreements.

Knowledge of Infor HRIS or similar enterprise systems.

Licenses & Certifications

Employees assigned duties that require the operation of a motor vehicle must possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license.

Additional Information

To Apply

To be considered for this recruitment, you must complete a Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) employment application (Form DTS-1). Resumes may not be substituted for the application.

Employment consideration may be based solely on the information provided in your application. Therefore, it is essential that the application is complete and accurate, listing all relevant experience in detail and addressing the specific qualifications outlined above. Be sure to include all applicable experience, including full-time, part-time, volunteer, military, acting capacity, or any other relevant roles within MDOT, its Transportation Business Units, or the Authority.

Important Notes:

+ Incomplete applications will not be considered.

+ The selected candidate may be subject to background and reference checks.

+ Employees are subject to the State Substance Abuse Policy, which may include drug testing.

+ It is strongly recommended that applications be submitted online by registering atwww.mdot.maryland.gov/employment. Be sure to meet all minimum and selective qualifications and follow the instructions provided on MDOT’s Online Employment Center website.

+ Applicants with degrees earned outside the United States must provide a written evaluation of their educational credentials by a recognized credentialing organization such as World Education Services (WES):https://www.wes.org.

Additional Information:

+ Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be provided upon request.

+ The Maryland Department of Transportation is not currently sponsoring new employees for H-1B visas 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 H-1B visa candidates from paying sponsorship fees; all such fees must be assumed by the employer.

+ TTY Users: Call 711 or contact your Telecommunications Relay Service.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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, sexual orientation, or any other protected status.

Safety Statement

Employees should adhere to all safety rules, policies, regulations, and personal protective equipment requirements to support a safe and healthy working environment. Employees may attend and participate in safety meetings, be aware of hazards in their work area, and should report hazards, unsafe acts, near misses, injuries, and accidents immediately.

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. Employees may only perform work for which they have the appropriate safety training.

Issue Date: 11/14/2025

Come join the Maryland Department of Transportation Team! We offer more than just a paycheck!!!! We offer healthcare, dental, long term disability, flexible work schedules, and so much more. Read all about our fabulous benefits in detail by visiting:

https://www.mdot.maryland.gov/tso/pages/index.aspx?pageid=152

Don't miss out on a great opportunity for a challenging career along with fabulous benefits!

*Benefits are offered to all full-time, part-time permanent and contractual (partially subsidized) employees. Temporary employees do not receive benefits.

01

Describe your experience leading multiple HR functional areas (e.g., benefits, pension, leave management, wellness, or return to work programs).

02

Describe your experience managing or overseeing self-funded health plans, pension plans, or leave programs.

03

Describe your experience overseeing HR programs and services in a complex organization, unionized or public-sector environment.

04

Describe your experience managing vendors, third-party administrators (TPAs), or consultants relative to benefits or pension administration.

05

List any degrees or professional certifications you have related to Human Resources, Benefits, or Pension expertise.

Required Question

Employer

Maryland Department of Transportation

Address

See Job Posting for Specific Address to Mail an Application ------------, Maryland, ------------

Phone

See Job Posting

Website

http://www.mdot.maryland.gov

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