Program Manager

The Program Manager, Student Services is responsible for implementation and execution of key initiatives that positively impact student behavior, customer relationships, and transportation of students in general and special education, including, but not limited to, First Serves. This position will implement strategic safety and growth initiatives as well as manage ongoing quality improvement and location support through the development and deployment of program materials and enhancement plans. This high impact, critical position requires a strong, decisive, results-oriented innovative thinker who can develop, coach, and manage relationships.

Major Responsibilities

• Define expectations for locations that meet desired outcomes and provide ongoing support to locations to obtain those results.

• Exhibit a passion for supporting students with diverse needs, including students with disabilities.

• Demonstrate ability to influence others effectively and navigate ambiguity, while working independently and as part of a team

• Demonstrate excellent communication and consulting abilities cross-functionally, cross-culturally and cross-varyin levels

• Partners with all key stakeholders, internal and external, on continuous program and initiative improvements.

• Manage program activities, content, and execution, to include managing action items, identifying risks, and implementing abatement plans for those risks

• Manage, coordinate, and execute training, ensure all presentation material, required technology, and presenters are prepared to maximize the quality of the training experience

• Manage, coordinate, and execute customer presentations in conjunction with location and growth teams.

• Collaborate with internal teams to develop, execute, and maintain metrics on usage, efficacy and impact of programs and initiatives.

• Creates, maintains, and shares reports and metrics to Sr. Leadership demonstrating both impact and opportunities.

• Manage relationships with subject matter experts and organizations contracted to support and/ or develop the programs.

• Mentor others in the use of program tools and best practices.

• Stays informed on new developments relative to student behavior support and transportation of students with diverse needs, including students with disabilities.

• Create, support, and manage use of program materials including, but not limited to, About Me Form, Location Enhancement Plans (LEP), on-bus collateral, slide decks, etc.

• Ensures program activities follow organizational policies and any relevant external regulations

• Manage special projects as required.

Minimum Experience & Skills Required

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent industry experience required.
• Passion for students and their success
• Ability to manage and lead cross functional initiatives
• Ability to drive process and performance improvements
• Experience managing the implementation of complex projects (though need not possess formal project management credentials, e.g., PMP certification)
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft® software applications, including PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel.
• Proficiency in virtual delivery platforms, such as Zoom.
• Ability to work within a team structure, collaborating closely with colleagues and operating interdependently to achieve assigned tasks.
• Ability to build and manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Exceptional communication skills – both written and oral
• Ability to prioritize work, handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high level of accuracy, and attention to detail and organization
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Flexible and adaptable in a fast paced, changing environment.
• Knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements
• Experience with special education and/or transportation industry is a plus.
• Must be willing to travel up to 50%

Compensation ranges from $90,000 - $100,000, depending on experience.

Language Requirement
This role requires English proficiency. Federal, state, and local requirements, including U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, require training, safety communications, company policies, employment documents, and other job-related communications be conducted in English.

First for a reason:

At First Student, we are a family of 60,000+ employees who take pride in safely transporting more than 5 million students and passengers to and from their destinations each day! Our family of brands include Transco, Total Transportation, Maggies Paratransit, and GVC II. Our employees are at the forefront of safety and innovation; they create and implement the most advanced training and technology the transportation industry has to offer.

In the state of Washington, all technician and driving positions, including but not limited to van drivers and any other position requiring employees to drive a company-owned vehicle, are considered safety-sensitive and are therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing, including cannabis.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. First is also committed to providing a drug-free workplace. First will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, and any other fair chance law. Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance Poster is at this link or upon request .