Hr Development Program Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Manager in Development (MID) - Student Transportation Leadership Program

Location: Greater Chattanooga, TN Area (could be in or around)

Salary: $65,000 - $70,000 per year
Job Type: Full-time

About the Opportunity

The Manager in Development (MID) program at First Student prepares high-potential talent for future leadership roles in transportation and logistics. Based in Chattanooga, TN, this full-time role offers structured training, hands-on operational experience, and mentorship from seasoned leaders-all designed to help you transition into a management position.

You'll rotate through key operational departments, gain visibility into daily transportation functions, and build the leadership and analytical skills needed to drive safe, efficient service delivery.

What You'll Do

• Rotate through Operations, Safety, Logistics, Maintenance, HR, Finance, and Dispatch.
• Learn core processes related to service delivery, routing, fleet performance, and compliance.
• Work directly with supervisors and managers to develop leadership capability.
• Support daily operations to ensure safe, reliable, and compliant transportation service.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across Safety, Fleet Maintenance, HR, and Finance.

What We're Looking For

• High School Diploma/GED required; Bachelor's degree preferred
• 3-4 years transportation/logistics experience or 1-2 years supervisory experience
• Strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to learn quickly, adapt to changing operational needs, and work in a fast-paced environment
• Willingness to work varied hours (mornings, evenings, weekends, overtime)
• Valid state driver's license

Career Path Opportunities

Graduates of the MID program commonly advance into roles such as:

• Operations Supervisor
• Dispatch Supervisor
• Transportation Manager
• Safety Supervisor
• Fleet Operations Manager
• Assistant General Manager

Benefits

We offer competitive compensation and benefits (vary by role/location), including:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k)
• Paid holidays and vacation
• Mental and physical wellness initiatives

Professional Growth: Our 3-5 month MID program is designed to develop future leaders, and we strongly promote from within across our North American operations.

Training: Gain expertise in safety, security, technology, equipment, and operational efficiency.

Diversity & Inclusion: We strive to create an inclusive culture where everyone belongs.

Community Impact: As the face of First Student, you'll play an important role in supporting and serving your community.

Disclaimer: Management may adjust job duties or responsibilities at any time. This description outlines primary functions but does not limit additional assignments.

How to Apply

Apply through the internal career portal or via the external posting on Indeed.

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 https://www.phila.gov/media/20210423160847/Fair-Chance-Hiring-law-poster.pdf.

About us
An industry leader famous for our yellow school buses and service and safety excellence, we’ve provided student transportation services to schools for over 100 years. Continually investing in the services of the future, we’re proud to be part of FirstGroup America – the largest provider of safe, reliable and sustainable surface passenger transportation services in North America.

Industry leader
We safely operate more than one third of all contracted school buses in North America.
Together our 50,000 school buses travel nearly 600 million miles per year — the equivalent of 1,200 round trips to the moon.
We operate in around 550 locations throughout 38 U.S. states and 8 Canadian provinces.

Innovation
We were the first school bus company to utilize global positioning systems (GPS), so at any one time we know where all of our buses are and how fast they’re travelling.
Passionate about safety, we’ve installed Safety Crossing Gates on the front of all of our school buses and use the Child Check-MateTM electronic reminder system to make sure no sleeping children remain inside a bus at the end of each route.

Awards & recognition
We won the Occupational Excellence Achievement Award from the National Safety Council two years in a row.
Dedicated to safety, FirstGroup received the National Safety Council’s (NSC) Green Cross for Safety Medal - the highest award for safety in North America.

Teamwork and trust
It takes a diverse team of skilled professionals to provide a safe, effective and efficient student transportation system. From our school bus drivers and location managers to routers, dispatchers and fleet technician mechanics, the work we do every day makes a big impact on the daily lives of students, parents, local communities and school district partners.

We’re very proud of our elite team of over 55,000 dedicated, caring and diverse professionals. And they are the #1 reason we’re trusted by over 1,400 school districts - more than any other provider. Everybody here plays their part in creating a positive school bus experience.

Our culture
We live and breathe our vision and values. They are embedded in our culture and drive our commitment to our customers and communities. Our culture fosters growth and promotes respect, reliability, responsibility and safety. And we recruit people who share these values and will work together to build strong and trusting partnerships in the communities we serve.

Safety – Although our safety record is twice as safe as the industry average, we continually seek out opportunities to enhance our operational and safety initiatives.
Learning – Through our learning culture that spans over 550 locations, we receive and share insight from our people to enhance our service now and in the future.
Making a difference - By doing our job well, we make a positive impact on many lives – including the millions of students who travel with us every school day.
Careers for all – We’re an Equal Opportunity Employer and an Employer of Choice.
By consistently encouraging and supporting an open dialogue with our people and partners, we’re able to share new ideas and develop new ways to meet the needs of our customers and passengers. At First Student, you’ll feel empowered to serve your community. So join the team and start to make a difference.