Assistant Director of Transportation

Assistant Director of TransportationFramingham Public Schools is seeking an Assistant Director of Transportation for the 2026-2027 school year. The Assistant Director of Transportation is responsible for assisting in maintaining a safe, smooth, and highly efficient pupil transportation system across the district, as well as fulfilling the full executive duties of the Director of Transportation in his/her absence. This position combines strategic route planning, hands-on operational dispatch support, regulatory compliance tracking, and active stakeholder relations to optimize vehicle efficiency and capacity.The Assistant Director interfaces across school operations to coordinate routing patterns for both general and special education student populations, handles daily customer inquiries or service resolutions, and monitors road-level driver performance. This commitment aligns with Framingham Public Schools' high expectations for achievement, equal access to quality instruction, academic proficiency for all students, and closing the achievement gap among subgroups within the schools.Framingham Public Schools (FPS) is committed to excellence for all students and to creating a workforce that reflects our community's rich racial, linguistic, and cultural diversity. Guided by our mission to empower free-thinking, responsible citizens, we value inclusion, equity, and cultural responsiveness in all we do. FPS strives to provide a safe and welcoming environment where every student and staff member can thrive. We actively seek educators and staff who are committed to antiracism, social justice, and civic engagement. We strongly encourage applications from individuals with disabilities and from members of historically underrepresented groups.Framingham Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a culturally responsive, antiracist, and inclusive community where all individuals are valued, respected, and supported to thrive.Framingham, Massachusetts, is a vibrant and diverse suburban community located 20 miles west of Boston, serving as a major hub in the MetroWest area. It successfully blends urban convenience with the comfort of New England neighborhoods, characterized by cultural diversity and a strong community spirit.A key asset is the Framingham Public School system, which is committed to equity, inclusion, and student success across its nine elementary schools, three middle schools, and Framingham High School. The district is recognized for its dual language programs, comprehensive special education services, and dedication to serving a diverse student population, preparing all learners for college and careers.Framingham is also home to Framingham State University and offers abundant outdoor opportunities, including Cushing Memorial Park and Callahan State Park. With its blend of educational resources, accessibility, and dynamic community life, Framingham is a welcoming place to live and grow.Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:Valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with "P" (Passenger) and "S" (School Bus) endorsements.Training and Experience:Educational Requirement: A High School Diploma or equivalent required; corresponding college coursework preferred.Professional Experience: Proven experience working directly in the field of pupil or institutional transportation, logistics management, or fleet operations is preferred.Language Proficiency: Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and/or Portuguese is preferred.Skills and Ability:To perform this job successfully, an individual must satisfactorily perform each essential duty. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required:Communication: Strong oral and written communication skills; ability to present technical routing information clearly and respond effectively via two-way radio, text, and email to district staff, parents, public safety officials, and the School Committee.Analytical Problem Solving: Sound reasoning and problem-solving skills to evaluate district-wide transit variables, define boundary layout conflicts, troubleshoot fleet distribution breakdowns, establish facts, and recommend appropriate strategic policies.Strategic Planning & Evidence-Based Practice: Capacity to read, analyze, and interpret professional transit literature, state/federal regulations (Registry of Motor Vehicles, Department of Labor, DESE), and student demographic data to inform district-level logistics policies and long-term route planning.Relationship Building & Collaboration: Ability to establish and maintain positive, effective cross-departmental working relationships with building principals, special education directors, athletic coordinators, local police/safety personnel, and public transit agencies.Cultural Proficiency: Demonstrated cultural proficiency and competence in fostering an equitable, respectful, and inclusive district environment for a highly diverse workforce of drivers, monitors, and the multicultural student and family populations they serve.Reliability, Professionalism & Composure: Maintain regular, predictable, and punctual attendance to ensure consistent district school transit operations. Exhibit professionalism, composure, and quick decision-making when handling on-call transit emergencies, traffic delays, or vehicle incidents.Organization & Time Management: Strong organizational and project-management skills to work independently, prioritize complex schedules, set rider registration timelines, and manage a rolling fleet across constant disruptions and tight timeframes.Data-Driven Decision Making: Ability to use complex data sets (such as automated routing optimization algorithms, state report metrics, and fuel expenditure tracking) effectively to maximize efficiency and minimize district mileage costs.Technology Proficiency: High proficiency in using technology and logistics software; expert capacity to operate or quickly master Education Logistics (Edulog) or related school routing databases, spreadsheet platforms, and district HR/Finance tracking applications.Compliance & Confidentiality: Commitment to performing all duties in compliance with state and federal laws, student transport laws, Framingham Public Schools policies, and collective bargaining agreements. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive personnel data, student discipline files, and medical/special education transit profiles.Essential Duties and Responsibilities:The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.I. Strategic Route Planning & OptimizationAssist in the development and architectural planning of all home-to-school bus routes utilizing specialized routing software, with a primary objective of maximizing asset efficiency.Formulate system-wide routing performance improvements that optimize the active ride-times and physical capacity of school buses by continuously monitoring, revising, pairing, sharing, and/or streamlining current pathways.Assist in creating, generating, and running data-driven analytics report files by linking transportation software metrics with the Student Information System (SIS) to forecast ongoing district-wide transportation needs.II. Operational Oversight & Field AuditingConduct regular physical inspections of designated student bus stops and field-verify route safety metrics to assess potential road hazards.Monitor, observe, and formally evaluate contracted bus drivers' over-the-road safety performance and contract compliance patterns.Lead routine route schedule reviews and operational pattern assessments alongside the district's third-party transportation vendors to establish the safest solutions for municipal transit.III. Dispatch Support & Incident ManagementAssume primary dispatch desk responsibilities when operational spikes or absences demand, providing live directions, tracking road closures, managing dynamic schedule deviations, and transmitting critical alerts.Manage incoming customer inquiries, school personnel alerts, and parent complaints via phone and email, driving rapid and professional conflict resolution.Initiate, track, and systematically follow up on student disciplinary matters or behavior violation reports originating on transit vehicles, in partnership with building principals.IV. Roster & Eligibility ControlsEstablish, audit, and systematically update accurate student rider eligibility registries, organizing designated rosters for both general education students and special education specialized transport programs.Perform financial cost estimations for auxiliary services, including field trips, athletic travel, and extracurricular journeys, and expedite administrative paperwork workflows associated with those transit orders.Other duties as assigned by the Director of Transportation.Physical Working Conditions:Mobility, Navigation & Travel: Must move about and traverse throughout the central office building. Requires the ability to travel to and navigate effectively throughout various school buildings, dispatch depots, and vehicle storage yards for site visits, route audits, or emergency operational responses.Stationary Tasks: Frequently remains in a stationary position for considerable periods of time for administrative tasks, route optimization mapping, reporting, virtual/in-person meetings, and extensive data entry.Sensory Requirements: Must be able to see and hear continuously to participate in meetings, monitor active radio dispatch channels, track workplace safety, and ensure student safety when visiting active bus loading zones.Communication: Must be able to see and hear continuously to participate in meetings, monitor active radio dispatch channels, track workplace safety, and ensure student safety when visiting active bus loading zones.Manual Dexterity & Technology: Frequent use of hands to finger, handle, or feel. Must be able to operate a computer, input digital/