Transportation Director

Description


Transportation Director

This posting is for positions supporting Kent ISD with route assignment opportunities in Grand Rapids, MI.

• Benefits packages are available to eligible employees. Employer contribution levels vary based on established qualifying factors.
• A 401(k)-retirement plan is available after completion of one (1) year of service, contingent upon satisfying all other eligibility requirements.
• Employees play a vital role in contributing to a positive and meaningful experience for students/passengers every day.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

Provide direction, support, and oversight to office staff, school bus drivers, attendants and/or monitors at a Dean operation center to ensure safe and reliable transportation of students and other passengers as well as support to local school district(s). Driving a school bus may be required, as needed.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

• Meet all general qualifications for employment.
• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Possess experience in the school bus industry or transportation field.
• Possess prior supervisory or management experience.
• Meet company and state standards for driving record check.
• Meet company, state, and school district standards for criminal history check.
• Meet Federal DOT guidelines and physical examination requirements.
• Pass drug and alcohol screening as established by company.
• Meet Michigan School Bus Supervisory Continuing Education Requirements.
• Successfully pass Dean Transportation School Bus Driver Training Program, including:
  • Classroom instruction
  • Behind the wheel instruction
  • Written and driving skills test
• Meet Michigan School Bus Driver Certification Requirements, including:
  • Minimum hours of instruction
  • Satisfactorily pass knowledge examination
• Meet local, county, and state standards for driving skills test.
• Meet state requirements for appropriate commercial vehicle licensing.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain a positive and professional relationship with student passengers, parents and guardians, contracting agency, Dean Transportation staff and the general public.
• Establish safe and efficient transportation routes.
• Supervise the performance of Dean Transportation employees; provide direction, leadership, counseling, recognition and discipline as appropriate.
• Review and respond to passenger behavioral concerns.
• Interview, select and process applicants through the established hiring procedures and maintain appropriate staffing levels.
• Determine equipment and vehicle needs, including school bus seat configurations, wheel chair capacity and any other related equipment.
• Work in a team culture which includes attending weekly conference calls, monthly supervisor meetings and annual supervisor in-service.
• Prepare accurate billing information for field trips, mileage logs and student passenger attendance report.
• Organizes and attend school bus training events.
• Performs other duties as required.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES (WHEN APPLICABLE)

Supervisors may be required to drive a school bus route and/or assist with dispatching when needed. Responsibilities for school bus driving include:

• Conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections of your assigned vehicle as required.
• Use established routes and designated bus stops.
• Conduct emergency evacuation drills as required.
• Instruct passenger riders regarding safety.
• Drive defensively under varying traffic conditions and inclement weather.
• Drive with safety of passengers as first priority.
• Establish favorable working relationships with other drivers, office and maintenance personnel, bus attendants and monitors, passengers, parents, teachers, principals, and total school or program staff.
• Achieve self-improvement by attending training sessions, annual in-service, and workshops conducted by Dean Transportation and/or other approved agencies.

SPECIFIC ABILITIES

• Proficiency with computers, multi-line phone systems and office equipment.
• Demonstrate an excellent attendance record.
• Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a team setting.
• Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrate effective organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrate the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrate effective and efficient problem solving.
• Work independently and efficiently.
• Supervise and evaluate performance of assigned staff.
• Travel occasionally to other Dean Transportation operations, primarily within regional service area.
• Plan, organize and direct school bus transportation services.
• Competently handle a number of tasks at one time.
• Positively advocate Dean Transportation to others.
• Identify with geographic service area of school district and routes assigned to the local Dean Transportation operation.
• Demonstrate knowledge of rules and regulations promulgated by local, state, and federal agencies.
• Demonstrate knowledge of state laws and local ordinances.
• Deal with exuberant behavior characteristics of student passengers.
• Administer disciplinary procedures in keeping with company policies.
• Be alert and exercise good judgment concerning emergencies and day-to-day operations.
• Successfully conduct a bus evacuation drill as required by company management.
• Keep accurate records and reports as required, submit in a legible condition, and turn in at the specified time.
• Conduct yourself as a professional Dean Transportation staff member at all times.
• Operate all vehicle lifts as prescribed in company policy.
• Secure all equipment that is required for each passenger as prescribed in company policy.
• Be able to lift, store, and disassemble/assemble wheelchairs of a maximum weight of 40 pounds and/or other ambulatory devices required by the passenger.

DRIVING PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS

• Driving performance evaluations are performed continuously as part of company safety training.
• Supervisors may be subjected to customized driving evaluations at any time during employment when the company has a specific concern or has received a report of improper driving.

BODY MECHANICS OF SCHOOL BUS DRIVER

Supervisors may be required to drive a school bus. School Bus Drivers are required through their employment to perform various physical tasks. These physical tasks require varying degrees of lifting, pulling, bending, and carrying of heavy objects. Some examples of these are:

• Opening and closing a bus hood and lifting the hood up to perform pre-trip requirements of the engine.
• Opening and closing of bus entrance and emergency doors.
• Bending, pushing, and pulling to load and unload a wheelchair, with or without a passenger, onto a lift platform, by exerting a maximum of 40 of push/pull pressure.
• Bending, supporting, and otherwise physically helping passengers into and out of a school bus.
• Carrying and lifting into and from the school bus, personal articles and adaptive equipment of various weights and sizes.
• Bending and stretching for the cleaning and securement of equipment in the interior of the school bus.
• Bend, stretch, pull, and drag all persons, equipment or other types of articles that would be of varying sizes and weight out of emergency exits on demand.