DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION

DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION Location: Lawrence, Kansas Job ID: 5830507 Application Deadline: Posted until filled Posted: Jul 13, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC) Starting Date: Immediately Position Type: Full-Time Job Categories: Administration > Transportation Length of Contract: Twelve-month administrative contract Salary Range: Commensurate with prior leadership experience and includes fringe benefits package. Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on Evaluation. Job Description Title: Director of Transportation Reports Directly To: Deputy Superintendent and Superintendent Collaborates With: Contracted transportation provider, district and building administrators, families, students, Operations Department, Finance Department, Student Services, Special Education, Communications Department, Safety and Security staff, and other district leaders and staff The Director of Transportation provides leadership, oversight, coordination, and continuous improvement support for the district’s student transportation services. This position serves as the district’s primary liaison with the contracted transportation provider and works closely with district leadership, school administrators, families, staff, and community partners to ensure safe, reliable, cost‑effective, and responsive transportation services. The Director of Transportation is responsible for supporting the successful transition to and ongoing implementation of the district’s transportation services agreement. This includes monitoring vendor performance, reviewing route efficiency, supporting communication systems, addressing service concerns, analyzing transportation data, and identifying opportunities to improve student safety, operational effectiveness, customer service, and cost control. The Director of Transportation is adept at the metrics of successful transportation enterprise, adaptive problem‑solving and is adept at sharing progress with all constituent groups in the district and community. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred. Successful leadership experience in transportation, school operations, logistics, public administration, business operations, or a related field preferred. Experience working in a school district or public‑sector setting preferred. Experience with contract management, vendor oversight, route analysis, operations, logistics, or transportation systems preferred. Demonstrated ability to analyze systems, review data, solve problems, and make recommendations for improved efficiency and service. Strong communication, collaboration, organization, and customer service skills. Ability to work effectively with district leaders, vendors, school administrators, families, staff, and community partners. Knowledge of student transportation safety practices, compliance expectations, and operational procedures preferred. Preferred Characteristics Student‑centered and safety‑focused. Collaborative and relationship‑oriented. Systems thinker with strong attention to detail. Able to balance service quality, efficiency, cost control, and customer service. Comfortable working through transition, change management, and continuous improvement. Strong problem‑solver who can support both daily operations and long‑term planning. Essential Functions Transportation Leadership and Oversight Provide district‑level leadership and oversight for student transportation services. Serve as the district’s primary liaison with the contracted transportation provider. Support the successful implementation of transportation services during and after the transition to a new provider. Monitor transportation operations to ensure services are safe, dependable, efficient, and aligned with district expectations. Work collaboratively with the transportation provider to address operational issues, service concerns, staffing needs, communication challenges, and performance expectations. Support a culture of customer service, problem‑solving, accountability, and continuous improvement. Vendor Partnership and Contract Management Build and maintain an effective working relationship with the district’s contracted transportation provider. Monitor contract implementation, service expectations, timelines, reporting requirements, and performance measures. Review transportation concerns, complaints, and service disruptions with the vendor and district leadership to ensure timely resolution. Support regular check‑ins, performance reviews, and communication structures with the transportation provider. Assist with reviewing contract‑related issues, annual cost increases, service levels, and operational adjustments. Collaborate with district leadership to ensure the transportation agreement supports student safety, service quality, cost efficiency, and operational effectiveness. Route Review, Efficiency, and Operational Analysis Lead and support ongoing review of bus routes, stops, schedules, ridership, transportation zones, and service patterns. Work with the transportation provider to identify route efficiencies and opportunities for improved service reliability. Analyze transportation data to support decisions related to routing, timing, staffing, equipment, fuel, bus utilization, and cost control. Assist with a comprehensive audit of transportation operations to identify strengths, concerns, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement. Make recommendations to district leadership regarding transportation systems, service models, routes, communication practices, and operational improvements. Support long‑term planning related to transportation services, district growth, program needs, budget impact, and student access. Safety, Service Quality, and Student Support Promote safe transportation practices for all students. Monitor and support expectations related to student safety, driver professionalism, bus behavior, emergency procedures, and transportation‑related student concerns. Collaborate with school administrators, Student Services, Special Education, and families to address student‑specific transportation needs. Support transportation planning for students with disabilities, specialized routes, early childhood transportation, alternative programs, activities, and other assigned services. Assist with communication and follow‑up related to accidents, incidents, delays, route changes, safety concerns, and parent or school questions. Ensure transportation decisions are student‑centered and aligned with district priorities. Communication and Customer Service Serve as a point of contact for transportation‑related questions, concerns, and problem‑solving. Support timely and effective communication with families, schools, district staff, and the transportation provider. Collaborate with the Communications Department and transportation provider to improve transportation updates, parent communication, delay notifications, route information, and service messaging. Help ensure families and schools receive clear, accurate, and timely information regarding transportation services. Support the use of transportation technology, including real‑time bus tracking, ridership systems, communication tools, and safety‑related systems. Budget, Cost Control, and Resource Management Collaborate with district leadership and Finance staff to monitor transportation costs, contract expenses, fuel purchasing, route efficiency, and budget impact. Support cost‑control efforts while maintaining safe and reliable transportation services. Assist with reviewing transportation invoices, reports, service adjustments, and cost‑related documentation. Provide data and recommendations related to transportation budget planning, operational efficiencies, and long‑term financial sustainability. Monitor opportunities related to district‑purchased fuel, facility use, bus barn location, route optimization, and other cost‑saving strategies. Technology, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement Support implementation and effective use of transportation technology systems. Review data related to ridership, route performance, on‑time service, communication, safety, and operational efficiency. Prepare reports, updates, and recommendations for district leadership as needed. Identify trends and recurring concerns in transportation services and recommend process improvements. Support continuous improvement efforts that strengthen safety, reliability, customer service, communication, and efficiency. Leadership and Compliance Ensure transportation services align with applicable laws, regulations, board policy, district procedures, contract expectations, and safety requirements. Support transportation‑related emergency planning, weather‑related decisions, crisis response, and operational continuity. Collaborate with district leaders to ensure transportation services support instructional programs, school schedules, extracurricular needs, and student access. Participate in district planning, operational meetings, and cross‑departmental problem‑solving. Perform other duties as assigned. #J-18808-Ljbffr