Assistant Transportation Manager- Special Needs Transportation

Palmer Bus Service of Shakopee•Shakopee, MN

3d•$52,000 - $56,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Transportation Manager supports the Site Manager in overseeing safe, efficient, and reliable student transportation in the Shakopee area, with a primary focus on special needs transportation for Shakopee Schools. The role assists with daily operations, driver supervision, routing, scheduling, safety compliance, and communication with school district personnel, parents, guardians, and employees. The Assistant Manager is expected to treat students, families, employees, and community members with professionalism, respect, and dignity while upholding Palmer Bus Service’s core values. The position generally works in an office and garage environment and may drive school buses, vans, or other company vehicles as needed, when properly licensed and qualified. Duties may involve entering and exiting vehicles, walking through terminal and vehicle areas, and assisting with transportation operations in varying weather conditions. Occasional flexibility in working hours may be needed to address transportation needs, operational issues, and emergencies.

Requirements

Knowledge of employee onboarding, training, coaching, and performance management.
Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Minnesota Commercial Driver’s License with passenger, school bus, and air brake endorsements, as required for the position.
Knowledge of school bus licensing, driver qualification requirements, behind-the-wheel training, and applicable transportation regulations.
Familiarity with Minnesota Department of Transportation inspection requirements and vehicle safety standards.
Ability to understand and follow student-specific transportation procedures, confidentiality requirements, and safety protocols.
Proficiency with computers and Google Workspace, including Google Drive.
Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
Effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with employees, school district personnel, parents, guardians, and community members.
Ability to supervise, motivate, coach, and support employees.
Ability to coordinate schedules, routes, and staffing while responding to changing operational needs.
Ability to manage sensitive situations involving students, families, and employees with patience, professionalism, and discretion.
Strong attention to detail in maintaining records, schedules, and compliance documentation.
Self-motivated and dependable, with strong organizational and leadership skills.
Ability to work collaboratively with the Site Manager while taking ownership of assigned responsibilities.
Ability to remain calm, professional, and focused during stressful or unexpected situations.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, confidentiality, tact, and diplomacy.
Ability to prioritize competing responsibilities and respond effectively to time-sensitive transportation needs.
Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with people at all levels of the organization and school community.
Ability to support a team-oriented environment focused on safety, accountability, dignity, and service.
Commitment to providing safe, respectful, and reliable transportation for students with diverse needs.
Thorough understanding of safety practices, accident prevention, and the importance of following established transportation procedures.
Ability to drive school buses, vans, or other company vehicles as needed when properly licensed and qualified.

Nice To Haves

Prior supervisory, leadership, or transportation operations experience.
Experience working with school transportation, special needs transportation, or student services.

Responsibilities

Assist the Site Manager in planning, coordinating, and overseeing daily transportation operations.
Support the coordination and management of special needs transportation services for Shakopee Schools, ensuring routes and services meet student needs, district expectations, and contractual requirements.
Assist with routing, scheduling, driver assignments, and route adjustments to maintain efficient operations and accommodate changing student transportation needs.
Help recruit, hire, onboard, train, supervise, and support transportation personnel; assist with coaching, performance management, and disciplinary processes as needed.
Help maintain employee morale and promote a professional, respectful, clean, and safe working environment.
Coordinate specialized transportation arrangements, including student-specific requirements, pickup and drop-off procedures, and communicating relevant instructions to drivers.
Work with school district staff, parents, and guardians to address transportation concerns, student needs, route changes, and service issues.
Support driver training, safety programs, and compliance requirements; assist with behind-the-wheel evaluations and ensure drivers maintain appropriate certifications.
Help ensure driver documentation, including personnel files, medical certifications, and drug and alcohol testing records, is accurately completed and maintained on time.
Assist with monitoring fleet maintenance, vehicle inspections, and preventive maintenance schedules to ensure vehicles are safe, clean, and compliant with regulations.
Assist with administrative functions such as new-hire processing, payroll, billing, recordkeeping, and reporting.
Respond to transportation-related incidents, accidents, complaints, and emergencies during and outside standard business hours as needed; communicate concerns to the Site Manager and appropriate leadership.
Assist the Site Manager and school district personnel with transportation decisions related to inclement weather, school delays, closures, and other service disruptions.
Collaborate with the Site Manager, school district staff, drivers, aides, vendors, and other Palmer Bus Service personnel to maintain effective transportation services.
Assist with developing and implementing short- and long-term transportation plans to improve service, efficiency, safety, and student access to school.
Help maintain accurate personnel, safety, vehicle, and operational records in accordance with company policies and applicable regulations.
Promote and uphold Palmer Bus Service’s purpose, mission, and core values.
Keep the Site Manager informed of operational concerns, employee issues, safety matters, and other challenges affecting transportation services.
Perform duties independently when delegated and provide operational support during the Site Manager’s absence as needed.
Attend professional development and training activities related to transportation regulations, safety practices, and special needs transportation procedures.
Assist with covering school bus, van, or other transportation assignments when needed and properly qualified.
Assist with dispatching, answering phones, communicating route changes, and coordinating daily transportation coverage as needed.
Support coordination and oversight of transportation aides and drivers assigned to special needs routes.
Perform other related duties as assigned to support the Shakopee location.
Perform the usual and customary physical demands of the job, including working in office and garage settings, potentially driving vehicles, entering and exiting vehicles, walking through terminal and vehicle areas, and assisting with operations in varying weather conditions.