Pupil Transportation Director Jobs in Decatur, GA

The DeKalb County School District is seeking an experienced and professional Senior Manager, Transportation.

DeKalb County School District 
Senior Manager, Transportation

Reports to: Director, Transportation
Structure/Grade: Unified 130 
Division: Operations 
Workdays: 246 Days 

Position Summary 

Assists in the management and oversight of the district's pupil transportation services. Responsibilities include the 
safe and efficient operation of school bus routes, driver training, and compliance with federal, state, and local 
regulations. Collaborates with district administrators, parents, and community stakeholders to ensure high-quality 
transportation services for all students. Provides strategic input on the organization's long- and short-term plans, 
translates those plans into objectives for the assigned function, and aligns assigned teams toward common goals

Essential Job Duties 

• Assist Director to oversee the overall Transportation Operations Department to ensure safe, effective, and efficient student transportation services.
• Assist Director with financial oversight by monitoring department costs and expenses, evaluating performance, and making appropriate financial decisions.
• Direct the hiring, training, and evaluation of bus drivers and associated personnel while coordinating for substitute drivers as well as field trips and extracurricular trip drivers.
• Oversee strategic planning and execution within the department to enhance operational efficiency.
• Ensure up-to-date driver requirement information is provided to drivers, along with safety and vehicle operation training where appropriate.
• Provide communications support by resolving complaints or requests for assistance and promoting community information about bus operations across various news media platforms.
• Coordinate with planning offices for enrollment forecasting, route planning, and mapping precision of pickup/drop-off sites to meet changing district requirements effectively.
• Lead project meetings as necessary to identify and resolve transportation issues while maintaining internal controls consistent with school system goals.
• Prepare annual reports that reflect accountability in Pupil Transportation operations, including implementation of new programs or processes within established timeframes in compliance with related requirements.
• Assist in the development and implementation of transportation policies and procedures to ensure continuous improvement and compliance.
• Analyze data to inform decisions and improve practices.
• Support the professional growth of staff by providing direction, support, and constructive feedback.
• Provide input into overall financial plans, maintaining fiscal accountability.
• Provide guidance to the teams, including through times of risk and uncertainty, aligning teams towards common goals.
• Perform additional duties as assigned. 

Qualifications 

• A bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Education Administration, Logistics, Transportation, or a related field is required; a Master's degree is preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in Transportation management or a related discipline, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory capacity.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local transportation regulations.
• Knowledge of budget management and fiscal management practices
• Knowledge of organizational and departmental planning and operational procedures
• Knowledge of labor issues and efficiency processes
• Ability to make critical strategic decisions that have a significant impact on the organization
• Strong leadership and team-building skills, with the ability to lead managers and senior managers and align teams toward common goals
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to handle crisis situations calmly and effectively.
• Superior critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent data and financial analysis skills and the ability to maintain fiscal accountability for assigned functions
• Ability to translate broad strategic plans into objectives for assigned functions
• Superior communication skills and the ability to interact with other organization leaders, providing thought and pushback on ideas
• Ability to represent the organization internally and externally, and coordinate and collaborate with federal, state, regional, and local organizations
• Proficiency in transportation management software and data analysis tools
• Commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the transportation department
• Ability to recruit, train, and motivate employees
• Ability to prepare and organize documentation or reports
• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks and manage multiple assignments simultaneously  

Physical Demands and Work Environment 

• Frequently remains in a stationary position.
• Work is performed in both office and outdoor environments.
• May require occasional evening or weekend hours for special events or emergencies.
• Physical demands include occasional lifting and the ability to conduct site inspection
• Occasionally moves about inside an office.
• Occasionally exposed to loud noise levels.
• Occasionally exposed to bodily fluids and communicable diseases.