Transportation Director

Transportation Director

Berrien Springs Public Schools 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.

Together, inspiring each student to think, learn, achieve, and care in a global community. At Berrien Springs Public Schools, we 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 where students can learn and grow in a caring environment.

BSPS serves a highly diverse student population that makes our district environment rich with culture, talents, interests, abilities, skills, and needs. Our highly qualified staff develops students to be self-directed and lifelong learners who demonstrate personal competencies in academic achievement, technology, and citizenship.

The Role:

As the Transportation Director, you will lead the organization and daily operation of the Berrien Springs Public Schools Transportation Department in accordance with state laws, safety requirements, and district policies. You will provide direct supervision and leadership for transportation employees, including bus drivers, mechanics, substitute drivers, and office staff, while ensuring the safe, efficient, reliable, and cost-effective transportation of students. This is a hands-on leadership position that includes managing routes and staffing, supporting student safety and discipline, overseeing department training and compliance, managing the transportation budget and fleet, and driving routes or dispatching when needed. The Transportation Supervisor works closely with district and building administrators, employees, families, and students to provide exceptional service while maintaining the highest standards of safety.

Competencies for this Position:

1. Provides overall leadership and strategic direction for the Transportation Department to ensure safe, efficient, reliable, and student-centered transportation services.
2. Supervises, supports, and evaluates the Transportation Manager, establishing clear expectations and accountability while empowering the Manager to oversee daily operations, including routing, scheduling, driver coordination, student transportation concerns, and routine family communication.
3. Leads the recruitment, development, evaluation, and retention of transportation personnel in collaboration with the Transportation Manager and Human Resources while promoting a culture of professionalism, teamwork, accountability, and exceptional customer service.
4. Ensures compliance with applicable state and federal transportation laws, safety standards, licensing and training requirements, Board of Education policies, and district procedures.
5. Provides oversight of the district's transportation fleet, including vehicle maintenance, inspections, purchasing, replacement planning, inventory, and long-term fleet needs.
6. Develops and manages the Transportation Department budget, monitors expenditures, identifies operational efficiencies, and ensures responsible stewardship of district resources.
7. Evaluates department operations, data, technology, staffing, and procedures to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and ensure transportation services effectively meet the needs of students and schools.
8. Collaborates with the Transportation Manager, building administrators, district leaders, employees, and families to address significant or escalated transportation concerns and support effective problem-solving.
9. Evaluates inclement weather and road conditions and provides informed recommendations to the Superintendent or designated administrator regarding school closures, delays, or transportation safety.
10. Demonstrates strong leadership, communication, sound judgment, and problem-solving skills while contributing as a collaborative member of the district leadership team and performing other related duties as assigned.

Why You Will Love This Role:

As the Transportation Director, you will have a direct impact on the safety and success of students throughout Berrien Springs Public Schools. Transportation is often the first and last district experience students have each school day, making this role an important part of creating a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment. You will have the opportunity to lead a dedicated team, strengthen transportation systems, improve operational efficiency, and build positive relationships with students, families, employees, and administrators. Your leadership will help ensure that students arrive safely and are ready to learn each day.

What We'll Love About You:

You are a dependable, collaborative, and service-oriented leader who understands the importance of safe and reliable student transportation. You communicate effectively with administrators, employees, families, and students and are comfortable making sound decisions in complex or stressful situations. You have successful supervisory experience and knowledge of school bus traffic laws, safety practices, vehicle operations, mechanics, and routing. You are organized, flexible, caring, creative, and committed to providing excellent service. You possess strong technology skills, including proficiency with Excel, Word, Google Docs, Gmail, calendars, and related systems. Experience with transportation routing software, budget development, and budget management is preferred. You demonstrate punctual and dependable work habits, strong character, compassion, professionalism, and a commitment to the values of Berrien Springs Public Schools and The Shamrock Way.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent educational experience in pupil transportation systems preferred.
• Successful experience in a supervisory or leadership position.
• Knowledge of school bus traffic laws, safety requirements, vehicle mechanics, and routing.
• Proficiency with transportation routing software preferred.
• Experience creating and managing departmental budgets.
• Basic understanding of the educational process and the role transportation plays in supporting student success.
• Ability to work cooperatively and professionally with administrators, staff, students, families, and members of the public.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to use technology effectively for department operations, communication, scheduling, payroll, reporting, and recordkeeping.
• Ability to perform all essential duties satisfactorily, with reasonable accommodations provided as appropriate.

Certificates, Licenses & Registrations:

• Excellent driving record with zero points.
• Valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with appropriate school bus/passenger endorsements.
• Required physical certification and continuing education credentials in accordance with applicable state and federal requirements.

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.