Area Safety Manager

First Student•Remote NY, NY

5d•$88,000 - $98,000

About The Position

First Student is hiring an Area Safety Manager based in Poughkeepsie, New York, covering Eastern New York State. The Area Safety Manager (ASM) supports safety across designated locations, including operational, facility, and shop activities. Working directly with the Area General Manager, the ASM leads behavioral and organizational change through influence and change management. The role drives continuous improvement by reviewing data and deploying strategies to mitigate risk, embedding divisional safety initiatives and processes in area operations, monitoring adherence, and ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations and company policies. The ASM oversees safety performance and compliance at multiple locations, supports incident investigation and claims management, and partners with operations, maintenance, human resources, and regional leadership. The role also develops and supports location safety and training capabilities, conducts safety reviews and audits, and helps implement corrective actions and operational efficiencies. The position requires English proficiency for training, safety communications, company policies, employment documents, and other job-related communications. The listed salary range is $88,000–$98,000.

Requirements

Seven years of safety or transportation experience.
Five years of experience in fleet transportation management.
Strong commitment to safety.
Leadership, decision-making, and team-building skills.
Strong computer literacy, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Advanced skills with technology used to manage operations, including FGA-approved smart technology, apps, encrypted drives, shared drives, and other smart technology.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to interpret data, perform root cause analysis, and assist others with analysis.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
Demonstrated ability to train, coach, and provide leadership.
Collision Investigation training.
State or provincial instructor certification in at least one state or province in the region.
Certified Smith System Defensive Driving Instructor.
English proficiency for job-related training, safety communications, policies, employment documents, and other communications.

Nice To Haves

Two years of college or equivalent education/experience.
Experience with software such as timekeeping and payroll systems.
OSHA 10-hour certification and safety or transportation certifications.

Responsibilities

Work with the RSD, LSM, LM, and Maintenance Manager to ensure safety provisions are developed and deployed in accordance with budget and guidance.
Identify locations underperforming against established targets, analyze performance, and work with location teams to develop, recommend, and implement continuous-improvement processes.
Conduct comprehensive investigations of serious incidents, help develop actions, and ensure lessons learned are communicated and implemented.
Share best practices and innovative problem-solving approaches with locations.
Support the RSD and Risk Management with claims management and litigation, and complete root cause analyses with operations and maintenance as required.
Work with the workers’ compensation third-party administrator to proactively manage claims.
Ensure appropriate driving-trainer staffing levels and partner with operations and HR to identify trainer needs and administer driver onboarding.
Help locations determine and implement remedial actions for safety events, and review disciplinary actions with HR and Operations.
Oversee multiple locations’ compliance with company policies, SOPs, laws, and regulations; provide regional and senior teams with visibility into location compliance scores.
Prepare monthly reports and safety-performance analyses, identify trends and corrective actions, and communicate findings to the AGM and management team.
Assess location safety performance using Daily Dispatch, Driver Mobile Manager, and other applicable tools.
Partner with the LM in recruiting and onboarding new LSMs.
Provide safety training for new LMs and LSMs, develop LSM competencies and skills, and support regional train-the-trainer workshops.
Use Focus, Zonar, and the Safety Care database to support location-level operational efficiencies.
Conduct location Safety Wellness Checks at least annually at high-risk locations, with more frequent inspections and safety reviews where needed.
Assist HR and LM with driver recruitment, retention, and training activities.
Conduct safety audits to supplement site safety reviews, and work with locations and RVPs/AGMs to close Site Safety Review actions.
Manage the BeSafe process, including delivering Safety Leadership courses, identifying and onboarding BeSafe Coaches, and monitoring debrief quality.
Work with the RVP, AGM, and LM on communication and execution of division-wide activities and actions.
Provide technical oversight to LSMs as needed, prioritizing LM requests in partnership with the ASM to support Operations and Safety.
Verify location compliance with PDDP, EDTP, and Non-Conforming Vehicles standards; audit training-program elements for quality assurance and ensure training standards are followed according to company guidelines.
Support kickoff and safety meetings in partnership with location staff.
Provide the appropriate level of startup support.
Perform other responsibilities as requested or required.

Benefits

Competitive compensation.
Physical and mental health initiatives.
Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
401(k).
Paid holidays and vacation.
Professional advancement and opportunities for promotion from within.
Three-to-five-month Manager-In-Development program for future leaders.
Extensive training in safety and security, injury prevention, technology and equipment, and job efficiency.
Inclusive and diverse working environment.
Opportunities to make a positive impact in the community.