Assistant Transportation Manager

Assistant Location Manager

Springfield, MA

Salary Range: $75,000 - $90,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications

At First Student, our Assistant Location Managers are a direct reflection of our commitment to safety, operational excellence, and exceptional customer service. Working alongside the Location Manager, the Assistant Location Manager plays a critical role in overseeing daily operations, supporting employees, driving performance, and ensuring the safe and reliable transportation of students throughout the community.

This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced operations professional looking to grow their leadership career with North America’s largest provider of student transportation.

Why Join First Student?

Competitive Compensation

• Salary range of $75,000 - $90,000 annually

• Eligible for the Assistant Location Manager annual bonus program , based on operational, safety, financial, and performance objectives

Career Growth

• Tremendous advancement opportunities across more than 540 locations throughout the United States and Canada

• Opportunities to advance into Location Manager, Regional Management, Safety, Maintenance, and other leadership positions

Comprehensive Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

• 401(k) with company match

• Paid vacation and holidays

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• PerkSpot employee discount program

• Ongoing leadership and professional development training

Position Overview

The Assistant Location Manager supports the day-to-day management of transportation operations while helping ensure safe, reliable, and efficient service delivery. This position serves as a key member of the leadership team and partners closely with drivers, dispatchers, monitors, maintenance personnel, customers, and school district stakeholders.

Standard hours of operation generally fall between 5:00 AM and 6:00 PM , with flexibility required to support operational needs, employee coaching, customer meetings, and special events.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in managing daily transportation operations to ensure safe and reliable service delivery

• Support driver staffing, coverage planning, route management, and operational readiness

• Monitor on-time performance and identify opportunities for operational improvement

• Coach, mentor, and develop drivers, monitors, dispatchers, and operational staff

• Conduct employee observations, performance discussions, and safety-related coaching

• Investigate customer concerns and partner with district stakeholders to resolve issues

• Support employee engagement, retention, and recognition initiatives

• Assist with accident investigations, safety reviews, and corrective action plans

• Ensure compliance with company policies, DOT regulations, and state requirements

• Support payroll review, attendance tracking, and workforce planning activities

• Assist with union-related matters, including contract administration and grievance resolution when applicable

• Partner with Maintenance and Safety teams to ensure fleet readiness and operational compliance

• Maintain positive relationships with school district personnel, parents, and community stakeholders

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred

• Previous transportation, logistics, operations, or service-industry leadership experience preferred

• Prior supervisory or management experience required

• Strong customer service and employee relations skills

• Experience leading teams in a fast-paced operational environment

• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Excel, and Word

• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to work flexible hours as operational needs require

• Valid driver’s license required

Preferred Experience

• Student transportation experience

• Union workforce experience

• Route planning and dispatch operations

• Safety and compliance oversight

• Workforce scheduling and staffing management

• Employee coaching and performance management

At First Student, we are proud to move more than 5.5 million students safely each day. Our commitment to safety, customer service, and operational excellence creates a workplace where leaders can thrive and build meaningful careers.

Apply today and help us continue setting the standard for safe and reliable student transportation.

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 .