Job ID: 51838
Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Employment Type: Direct Hire
Last Updated: 1 days ago
Located in the heart of South Carolina, Columbia stands as the state capital, home of the flagship university, and economic engine for industrial and corporate growth. The city brings in millions of dollars through both tourism and economic development projects, translating into abundant job opportunities. With seven institutions of higher learning and a top-tier military installation, Columbia is actively creating a talent pipeline right in its front yard while also retaining these recent graduates and young professionals.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Parking Operations Administrator provides strategic, operational, and administrative oversight of the City’s daily parking functions. Reporting directly to the Assistant City Manager of Operations, this position works in collaboration with the Director of Parking Services to lead a diverse, customer-focused team committed to service excellence.
This role presents a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the daily experiences of Columbia’s residents, merchants, and visitors. It blends long-range planning with hands-on leadership in a dynamic, evolving urban environment.
The ideal candidate brings innovative thinking to the forefront—balancing operational efficiency, sustainability, and outstanding customer service. With an emphasis on mobility, technology integration, and space optimization, this role supports initiatives that enhance accessibility while addressing the City’s growing parking needs and economic development goals.
To view the full position profile, please visit: Columbia Parking Admin Profile
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provides executive-level oversight of all parking operations, including:
- Customer service
- Office administration
- Backend and field audits
- Monthly parking via the Integrapark platform
- Commercial and residential enforcement programs
- Citation appeals and collections
- Curb management (e.g., bagged meters)
- POM parking meters and collections
- T2 Pay Stations
- Mobility payment platforms
- Manages day-to-day parking operations, ensuring consistent and efficient service delivery.
- Develops and implements customer service strategies to enhance satisfaction and improve the overall parking experience.
- Leads, mentors, and develops the operations team, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and service excellence.
- Directs strategic and operational planning in alignment with the Parking Master Plan and departmental goals.
- Develops and enforces departmental policies, ordinances, and procedures.
- Oversees contract negotiations, monitors vendor performance, and ensures timely processing of accounts payable in accordance with service standards.
- Analyzes revenue performance, utilization, and financial forecasting; evaluates parking trends.
- Establishes service benchmarks and performance metrics to guide operational improvements.
- Prepares and presents reports, studies, and strategic recommendations to the Parking Director, Assistant City Manager, and City Council.
- Participates in departmental strategic planning and oversees the implementation of new programs, policies, and technologies to meet evolving operational goals.
- Supervises staff including assigning work, evaluating performance, coaching, and ensuring compliance with City policies and applicable laws.
- Provides subject-matter expertise to executive leadership and elected officials.
- Maximizes revenue through effective cash control, expense management, and operational efficiency.
- Collaborates across City departments, with external agencies, vendors, and community stakeholders to support integrated parking solutions.
- Responds professionally to internal and public inquiries, complaints, and service requests.
- Performs general administrative tasks (data entry, reporting, correspondence, filing, meetings).
- Stays current on industry best practices, technologies, and legislative updates through participation in workshops, conferences, and professional development opportunities.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree preferred in public administration, management or a closely related field and five (5) years of prior parking management experience; or an Associate’s degree in public administration, management, or a closely related field and ten (10) years of prior parking management experience is required for consideration.
- Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one is required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Advanced knowledge of parking systems, revenue management, enforcement technologies, and relevant laws and regulations.
- Logical problem-solving ability and sound judgment in high-impact decision-making.
- Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal – with the ability to present to diverse audiences and prepare detailed reports and training materials.
- Demonstrated ability to lead professional-level work in technical, administrative, and managerial domains; capable of navigating evolving environments and competing priorities.
- Strong analytical and mathematical skills, including proficiency in percentages, ratios, descriptive statistics, and geometry; familiarity with algebraic solutions and data analysis.
- Ability to synthesize complex data to support decisions and improve operational strategies.
- Skilled in negotiation and collaboration across teams to develop policies and implement shared goals.
- Strategic planning capability, including the ability to identify funding, allocate resources, and implement large-scale capital improvements and technology upgrades.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (2010 preferred), particularly Outlook, Word, and Excel.
COMPENSATION
The salary offered at the time of hire is expected to be between $90,000 – $105,000, with the broader salary range offering long term salary growth within the role.
The salary offered is complimented by an exceptional benefits package. More information about benefits offered can be found here: https://hr.columbiasc.gov/benefits/.
