Transportation Operations Manager Jobs in Wethersfield, CT

Location: West Hartford, CT

First Student is now hiring an Assistant Transportation Manager in West Hartford, CT.

The Assistant Transportation Manager supports the Contractual Manager in overseeing daily transportation operations for a yard with approximately 100 buses. This role monitors service performance, addresses safety concerns, supports employees, and resolves operational issues to ensure routes are covered safely, efficiently, and on time.

• Annual Salary: $70,000-$90,000, based on experience and qualifications
• Schedule: Monday through Friday
• Full benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k)
• Paid holidays and PTO
• Career advancement opportunities across North America
• A positive, team-oriented work environment
• Training and professional-development opportunities

• Ensures home-to-school routes are covered in a timely and efficient manner.
• Supports daily operations for a fleet of approximately 100 buses.
• Works directly with drivers regarding operational concerns, attendance, performance, and service expectations.
• Investigates customer and client complaints and coordinates appropriate resolutions.
• Monitors on-time performance and works with the team to address service delays.
• Supports driver safety by conducting Injury Prevention contacts and identifying opportunities to reduce risk.
• Assists the Contractual Manager with reviewing and resolving union grievances.
• Ensures dispatch staff assigns available spare drivers and buses to maintain route coverage.
• Monitors daily dispatch activity and helps resolve driver, route, vehicle, and customer-service issues.
• Audits and corrects athletic-trip invoices in accordance with company guidelines.
• Supports employee coaching, training, documentation, and performance management.
• Coordinates with maintenance staff regarding vehicle availability and service needs.
• Helps maintain compliance with company policies, contractual requirements, and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Completes reports, special projects, and other operational assignments as needed.

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Three to five years of transportation or related operational experience
• Two to three years of supervisory or team-leadership experience
• School bus, transit, logistics, or passenger-transportation experience preferred

• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment
• Experience addressing employee and customer concerns professionally
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and general computer systems
• Familiarity with basic vehicle-maintenance processes and fleet operations
• Ability to monitor performance, identify operational issues, and implement solutions
• Willingness to work extended hours when operational needs require, including occasional weekends
• Valid driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle for travel within the service area

At First Student, safety and dependable service are at the center of everything we do. As an Assistant Transportation Manager, you will help support the employees and operations that keep students moving safely each day.

Apply today and help lead our West Hartford transportation team.

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.