Transportation Director

Berrien Springs Public Schools Transportation Director Berrien Springs, MI We Inspire: Berrien Springs Public Schools (BSPS) is a premier district that seeks to inspire students to become self-directed learners in an environment that promotes collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking skills. We strive to provide students with real-world problem solving and experiential learning with individualized options. We believe students are inspired to learn when they have opportunities to be involved in their learning process. That experience begins before students enter the classroom. Our Transportation Department plays an essential role in ensuring every student begins and ends the school day with safe, reliable, and caring service. Who We Are: BSPS serves a diverse student population that enriches our district through a wide range of cultures, talents, interests, abilities, and experiences. We believe serving students well requires the involvement of our entire school community and a commitment to helping every student reach their full potential. A district of choice, BSPS is a unique district serving more than 6,800 students through our traditional campus schools, virtual programs, and off-site learning locations across Michigan. Approximately 2,300 students attend in person, creating a vibrant campus community served by our Transportation Department. Together, inspiring each student to think, learn, achieve, and care in a global community. Berrien Springs Public Schools, which strive to serve the needs of all student learners while seeking ways for students to reach their full potential. Our mission is to involve all stakeholders in the educational process. We have a strong focus on what we call “The Shamrock Way”. The Shamrock Way is offering personalized learning opportunities for students can learn and grow in a caring environment. The Role: As the Director of Transportation, reporting to the Director of Operations, you will lead the daily operations, people, and systems, of the BSPS Transportation Department, ensuring safe, reliable, efficient, and student-centered transportation in accordance with state and federal requirements, district policies, and the highest standards of safety. You will lead a transportation operation serving approximately 2,300 students transported across 13 daily routes, supported by a fleet of 30 buses/vehicles and a team of approximately 16 drivers, mechanics, dispatcher, and Transportation Manager. This is a visible, hands-on leadership position with responsibility for developing and supporting transportation, employees, establishing clear expectations and accountability, maintaining fleet readiness, overseeing routing and staffing, strengthening safety and compliance, managing the department budget, and continuously improving the systems and technology that support the operation. The director provides direct leadership and oversight for bus drivers, mechanics, substitute drivers, transportation management, dispatch/office staff, and other department personnel. You will ensure that preventative maintenance, repairs, inspections, driver qualifications, training, documentation, and regulatory requirements are completed accurately, and on schedule. Just as importantly, you’ll serve as a key communication link between transportation and our schools. You’ll work closely with district leadership, building administrators, employees, families, and students to resolve concerns, respond to changing needs, and ensure schools have timely and accurate transportation information. Competencies for this Position: Leadership & Accountability : sets, clear expectations, develops employees, addresses, performance, concerns, and creates a culture of responsibility, professionalism, and teamwork. Transportation Operations : understands routing, scheduling, dispatch, fleet, utilization, staffing, student, transportation, and the complexities of maintaining a reliable daily service. Fleet & Maintenance Oversight : ensures, preventative, maintenance, repairs, inspections, documentation, and vehicle readiness are completed consistently and on schedule. Safety & Compliance : maintains a strong safety culture, and ensure compliance with Michigan school, transportation requirements, employee, qualifications, training, licensing, and district policies. Communication & Relationships : communicates clearly and professionally with drivers’ mechanics, staff administrator, students, families, and community members while building productive working relationships Problem-Solving & Judgment : remains, under pressure, evaluate information quickly, make sound decisions, and responsive effectively to operational, personnel, weather, and safety related challenges. Technology & Continuous Improvement : uses routing, communication, fleet, scheduling, and other transportation, tech technology effectively, while identifying opportunities to improve systems, service, and efficiency. Financial & Resource Management : effectively manages the department budget, staffing, fleet, and other resources, while balancing safety, service, and physical responsibility. Collaborative Leadership : operates effectively as department leader, while working collaboratively with district leadership, building administrators, and other departments to support district wide priorities. Why You Will Love This Role: As the Director of Transportation, you will have a direct impact on the safety and success of students throughout BSPS. Transportation is often the first and last district experience students will have each school day, making your leadership an important part of creating a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment. You’ll have the opportunity to lead and develop a dedicated team, strengthen transportation systems, improve fleet, reliability, and operational efficiency, introduce innovative solutions and technology, and build strong relationships with students, families, employees, administrators, and district leadership. You’ll have the support and opportunity to make meaningful improvements while helping shape the future of transportation at BSPS. And you’ll do it in Southwest Michigan, one of the region’s most distinctive places to live, work, and raise a family. Located in the heart of Michigan’s great Southwest, Berrien Springs offers the character and affordability of a smaller community while providing easy access to Lake Michigan beaches, vibrant downtown communities, outdoor recreation, golf, universities, orchards, and year-round festival and activities. The community is also home to Andrews University, bringing the educational, cultural, and international character of a university community to Berrien Springs. Nearby St. Joseph and Benton Harbor offer additional shopping, dining, entertainment, and Lake Michigan attractions, while South Bend and the University of Notre Dame are a short drive away. Chicago is approximately 90 miles from the area, providing access to major cultural, sporting, entertainment, and travel opportunities. Whether you're drawn to the Lake Michigan shoreline, outdoor recreation, college athletics, a university community, or simply the advantages of living in Southwest Michigan, Berrien Springs offers an exceptional place to build both a career and a life. Most importantly, you’ll lead a department whose work matters every day. Your leadership will help ensure our students are transported safely, our employees have the support and accountability they need to succeed, and our schools and families can depend on Transportation to deliver exceptional service. What We'll Love About You: You are a visible, dependable, and engaged leader who understands that successful student transportation begins with strong leadership, clear expectations, and a commitment to safety. You build trust with your team while creating a culture of accountability, professionalism, teamwork, excellence, and service. You’re comfortable leading people with different personalities, experiences, and responsibilities. You recognize and develop strong employees, address performance concerns when necessary, and don’t allow difficult conversations to become avoided conversations. You’ll lead with fairness, consistency, sound judgment, and respect. You’re an effective communicator, who understands that transportation doesn’t operate in isolation. You build strong working relationships with drivers, mechanics, office staff, district and building administrators, students, and families. When problems arise, you communicate early, provide accurate information, and work collaboratively toward solutions. You’re an organized problem solver who can manage the expected while responding calmly to the unexpected. Whether it’s a staffing shortage, mechanical issue, weather event, route concern, student situation, or changing operational need, you’re able to assess the situation, make sound decisions, and keep the operation moving safely. You embrace technology, data, and continuous improvement. You’re willing to evaluate existing practices, introduce better systems, and challenge status quo, when there’s a safer, more efficient, or more effective way to serve students. Most importantly, you’re a leader, who is present, accessible, and invested in your team and the operation. You understand that leadership in transportation requires being there during the critical moments of the school day, supporting your people, maintaining high standards and taking ownership of the department’s performance. You bring strong character, compassion, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to serving students while embracing the values of Berrien Springs Public Schools and the Shamrock Way. Certificates, Licenses & Registrations: Valid driver's license and driving record that meets District, State of Michigan, and insurance carrier requirements for operating a school bus, and any applicable regulatory requirements. Must possess, or be able to obtain, and maintain a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with appropriate passenger and school bus endorsements preferred at the time of hire and required within 6 months of employment. Must obtain and maintain all required medical certifications, licenses, endorsements, training, continuing education, and other credentials required by the State of Michigan, federal regulations, and Berrien Springs Public Schools for assigned transportation responsibilities. Position Title: Transportation Director Reports To: Operations Director Salary: $60,000 - $75,000 Work Days This position is based on a 240-day contract. All scheduled school days are expected workdays. During the summer months, the will be flexibility in the work schedule; however, any schedule adjustments must be coordinated with the Transportation Manager to ensure appropriate staffing and continuous coverage of the Transportation Department. Location: Berrien Springs Public Schools Transportation Department Start Date: As soon as available Deadline to Apply: September 11, 2026 The Berrien Springs Public Schools Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and transgender identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities. #J-18808-Ljbffr