Pupil Transportation Administrative Staff

State of Ohio • Columbus, OH

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Pupil Transportation Administrator works under the direction of the Chief Operating Officer to plan, direct, and coordinate the Office of Pupil Transportation and ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. The role serves as an agency program administrator and technical resource for school districts, Developmental Disabilities boards, Head Start, community schools, nonpublic schools, private vendors, and other stakeholders. It supports safe, appropriate, compliant, and efficient pupil transportation through policy development, consultation, reviews, data analysis, reporting, training, and stakeholder communications.

The position manages the Department’s relationship with school bus driver preservice trainers, coordinates their work and training materials, and supports statewide professional development and events. It recommends changes to Ohio laws, rules, policies, and procedures in collaboration with agency administrators, legal counsel, and the Legislative Policy team.

The role conducts or supports site and desk reviews, fieldwork, transportation enforcement investigations, and the transportation pilot program. It prepares reports, recommendations, and draft determinations and evaluations, and performs other related duties as assigned. The job is based at 25 South Front Street in Columbus, Ohio, and requires reporting to that location full-time. Travel throughout Ohio is required and may include overnight stays. The employee must be willing and able to secure a valid driver’s license and provide their own transportation.

Requirements

• Eight years of experience in school transportation supervision, eight years of experience as a school bus driver trainer, or a combination of these experiences.
• Must be willing and able to secure a valid driver’s license and provide own transportation.
• Must be able to travel throughout Ohio; travel may require overnight stays.
• The position requires reporting full-time to the work location at 25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio.

Nice To Haves

• Have or previously have held a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with School Bus (S) and Passenger (P) endorsements.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and coordinate the Office of Pupil Transportation under the direction of the Chief Operating Officer.
• Develop and implement policies for pupil transportation programs and provide technical support on compliance with applicable laws and rules, including Ohio statutes and regulations and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules.
• Provide technical assistance in using the Department’s DRIVES reporting platform, including T1, T2, T8, T9, and T10 reports and school bus and driver records.
• Advise school transporters on compliance requirements for special education transportation and provide consultation, leadership, and onsite reviews on transportation best practices and procedures.
• Review district transportation foundation payment programs, including data collection design, data management practices, and compliance with applicable laws and rules.
• Coordinate with stakeholders and other Department offices on transportation programs, funding, and fiscal reporting procedures; respond to stakeholder inquiries.
• Generate and analyze pupil transportation data reports and prepare and present instructional materials to stakeholder groups and at conferences.
• Manage and act as the Department’s primary liaison to school bus driver preservice trainers; direct and coordinate the preservice team and its work.
• Assist with creating, approving, and reviewing school bus driver training curricula, classes, syllabi, and projects; meet with the preservice team at least monthly and keep it informed of transportation news and updates.
• Attend and assist with planning and coordinating statewide professional development, advanced classes, and state and national ROAD-E-O events.
• Collaborate with agency administrators, legal counsel, and the Legislative Policy team to recommend changes to Ohio law, administrative rules, policies, and procedures.
• Provide technical assistance to school transportation providers and conduct site visits, desk reviews, fieldwork, and financial, compliance, and service reviews; draft final reports and recommendations.
• Support transportation enforcement investigations under ORC 3327.021 by coordinating with legal counsel, supervising lead investigators, helping draft investigation reports and determination letters, tracking corrective action plans, and helping ensure investigations meet statutory timeframes.
• Support implementation of the transportation pilot program by participating in quarterly meetings with ESC pilot staff, initially reviewing financial reports and expenditures, and preparing a draft program evaluation report.
• Perform other related duties and projects as assigned to support office, section, or agency needs.

Benefits

• Medical coverage.
• Free dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums after completion of the eligibility period.
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal and sick leave, and 11 paid holidays per year.
• Childbirth, adoption, and foster care leave.
• Education and development opportunities, including employee development funds and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Public retirement systems, including OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS, and optional deferred compensation through Ohio Deferred Compensation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed