CL23546: Assistant Director of Transportation - Transportation

Kennewick•Kennewick, WA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Director of Transportation, this position coordinates and assists in the daily operation of the Transportation Department to ensure the safe, efficient, and compliant transportation of students. It provides leadership and support in the supervision, training, coaching, and evaluation of school bus drivers, bus attendants, dispatch staff, and other transportation personnel. The role collaborates with drivers, attendants, parents, school administrators, and district staff to promote student safety, address transportation concerns, and support positive student behavior. This position assists in overseeing routing, dispatch, trip assignments, employee scheduling, and the administration of employee contracts. It also participates in labor-management meetings, collective bargaining activities, and departmental planning to support continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Minimum of three (3) years of experience in a transportation office or related transportation operations setting.
Must present transcripts of highest level of education within thirty (30) days of hire, if applicable.
Must have a valid Washington driver’s license and personal transportation covered with a current insurance policy.
Must provide a Driver Abstract, indicating a clean driving record.
Valid Washington State Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days. This includes CDL Class B with P and S endorsements, and brake restriction removed.
Must obtain school bus authorization from OSPI.
Possess or be willing to receive First Aid/CPR training and certification.
Must be able to meet the Physical Demands of the position.
Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
Completion of Safe Schools Web Based Training within thirty (30) days of hire and yearly thereafter.
Must pass a background check, which includes employee paid fingerprinting.
Complete the Pupil Transportation Management Training Program at Central Washington University. If needed, be willing to start the program over the next summer.
Demonstrated commitment to maintaining confidentiality and exercising sound professional judgment when handling sensitive employee, student, and district information.
Demonstrate leadership experience with the ability to supervise, coach, train, mentor, and evaluate employees while fostering a positive, collaborative, and professional work environment.
Knowledge of school transportation safety standards, Washington State and federal regulations, board policies, administrative procedures, and collective bargaining agreements, with the ability to ensure compliance and promote safe operations.
Demonstrate ability to organize work, prioritize multiple assignments, maintain accurate records, meet deadlines, and perform effectively in a demanding environment with frequent interruptions and changing priorities.
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with students, parents, employees, administrators, vendors, and the public using appropriate communication protocols, including two-way radio and telephone.
Demonstrated ability to build positive working relationships, resolve conflicts, collaborate with diverse stakeholders, and promote teamwork across departments, including transportation, maintenance, mechanics, schools, and district administration.
Experience supporting positive student behavior and student management practices in a transportation setting, including collaboration with school staff regarding behavior support systems.
Demonstrated problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical skills, including the ability to assess situations, evaluate alternatives, and respond calmly and effectively during emergencies.
Ability to read, interpret, and apply technical manuals, contracts, maps, routing information, state reports, and other operational documents.
Proficiency with computerized routing systems, dispatch software, transportation technology, Microsoft Office applications, email, and other district software, with the ability to adapt to new technology.
Demonstrate mathematical skills sufficient to prepare budgets, analyze bids, maintain records, and complete operational reports.
Experience as a school bus driver and the ability to maintain required driver certifications to operate district transportation vehicles when needed.
Dispatch experience or knowledge of transportation dispatch operations.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from staff and district personnel.
Define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
Evidence of ability to organize activities, set priorities and follow instructions.
Positive performance evaluations and professional references demonstrate strong character, work ethic, good attendance, reliability, and leadership abilities.
Must demonstrate sufficient command of the English language to communicate verbally and in writing with students, parents, district staff members and other concerned people regarding all aspects of their job-related activities.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrate knowledge of school transportation operations, including routing, dispatch, fleet operations, and applicable Washington State and federal transportation regulations.
Knowledge of special education transportation requirements, including applicable laws, student accommodations, and safe transportation practices.
Previous experience supervising or coordinating a school transportation operation, including employee supervision, dispatch, and operational management.
Experience maintaining transportation records, preparing reports, analyzing operational data, and utilizing statistical information to support decision-making.
Proficiency in transportation-related software and district information systems, including PowerSchool, TalentEd, and other applicable computer applications.

Responsibilities

Coordinate the daily operation of the Transportation Department, including dispatch, routing, and terminal activities to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable transportation services.
Assign drivers and attendants to regular routes, substitute assignments, extracurricular trips, and other transportation needs in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.
Process and assign field trips, including evening and weekend trips, and coordinate replacement drivers when necessary; could include nights and weekends.
Recommend route modifications, schedule adjustments, and solutions for overloaded routes.
Oversee dispatch operations, including trip logs, dispatch records, and daily communication with drivers.
Respond to bus breakdowns, emergencies, late buses, overdue vehicles, and other operational issues by coordinating replacement vehicles, drivers, and outside agencies as needed.
Perform inclement weather road checks and assist with emergency response procedures in accordance with district protocols.
Communicate route changes, delays, and transportation updates with schools, administrators, parents, and district staff.
Collaborate with parents, school administrators, and staff to resolve transportation concerns and provide excellent customer service.
Assist with investigations of accidents, incidents, complaints, and operational concerns, recommending or implementing corrective actions as appropriate.
Monitor bus camera systems and review video recordings to investigate student behavior, accidents, complaints, or other transportation concerns.
Assist in maintaining transportation records and documentation required by district, state, and federal regulations.
Coordinate vehicle registration, inspections, titles, and other required regulatory documentation.
Assist with payroll adjustments and employee contract updates for transportation staff.
Assist in recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and maintaining qualified drivers, attendants, dispatchers, and substitute employees.
Assist in supervising, coaching, mentoring, and evaluating drivers, attendants, substitute drivers, and dispatch staff; ride bus routes to assess student management, driver performance, and transportation safety, providing coaching and recommendations as needed.
Conduct behind-the-wheel evaluations, check rides, and performance evaluations, providing retraining and follow-up as necessary.
Coordinate and assist with new driver, substitute driver, activity driver, dispatcher, and attendant training programs; organize and present required in-service training, safety meetings, school bus evacuation drills, and other professional development activities.
Maintain required state driver trainer authorization and ensure driver certification requirements remain current.
Promote compliance with district policies, collective bargaining agreements, state and federal regulations, and school bus safety requirements.
Participate in labor-management meetings, collective bargaining sessions, and other meetings as assigned.
Provide initial employee coaching, corrective action, and performance feedback while keeping the director of transportation informed of employee performance concerns and disciplinary matters.
Participate in IEP, behavior, parent, and other student support meetings as assigned.
Assume operational responsibilities in the absence of the director or transportation to ensure continuity of services.
Substitute as dispatch, a school bus driver or operate other district transportation vehicles when necessary to maintain service levels.
Be available for after-hours and weekend (rotation) operational support and emergency response.
Read, interpret, and apply transportation regulations, safety rules, operating manuals, contracts, and district procedures.
Attend meetings, trainings and professional development activities as assigned.
Perform all duties in accordance with district policies, procedures, and expectations regarding attendance, punctuality, and professionalism.
Perform other duties as assigned.