Regional Operations Manager, Detainee Transport Operations

GARDAWORLD FEDERAL SERVICES•Houston, TX

2d•Remote

About The Position

The Regional Operations Manager oversees day-to-day regional transportation operations for a government-contract detainee transportation program throughout Texas, with limited operations in New Mexico and Oklahoma. The role ensures operational readiness, staffing, safety, security, compliance, and consistent service delivery across assigned locations in alignment with program objectives and government contract requirements. The manager provides direct leadership to supervisors and field personnel, monitors performance across multiple locations, and serves as a liaison among field operations, Program Management, government representatives, and functional departments. The position requires extensive experience managing geographically dispersed operations and leading personnel in transportation, detention, security, corrections, law enforcement, or government-contract settings. It is full-time, salaried, remote with extensive travel, and pays $95,000 to $105,000. Final offer determination considers education, relevant experience, and labor category mapping requirements.

Requirements

At least 5 years of progressive operations management experience in transportation, detention, corrections, law enforcement, security, logistics, or government contracting.
Experience managing multiple locations, facilities, teams, or geographically dispersed operations.
Experience directly supervising managers, supervisors, or other operational personnel.
Strong knowledge of detainee transportation operations, detention security procedures, and secure transportation protocols.
Familiarity with applicable federal, state, and local regulations governing detainee transportation, detention operations, transportation safety, and security.
Experience managing staffing, scheduling, workforce performance, and operational coverage across multiple locations.
Understanding of operational risk management, safety, security, incident response, and emergency procedures.
Experience conducting operational inspections, quality-control reviews, audits, or compliance assessments.
Ability to investigate operational incidents and implement effective corrective actions.
Experience monitoring operational performance metrics and using data to improve service delivery.
Understanding of employee performance and attendance management, coaching, and progressive corrective action.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple locations, priorities, and operational issues simultaneously.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate with government representatives, senior management, supervisors, and field personnel.
Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills in time-sensitive operational environments.
Ability to work independently while coordinating with Program Management, Fleet, Training, Human Resources, and Administrative teams.
Ability and willingness to travel extensively throughout Texas, with periodic travel to New Mexico and Oklahoma.
Ability to work flexible hours and respond to operational emergencies outside normal business hours when required.
Must successfully complete required government background investigations, suitability requirements, and contract-mandated screening.
Must possess a valid driver's license and meet applicable company and government requirements.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Criminal Justice, Transportation, Logistics, Public Administration, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
Experience working with government contracts and government customers.
Experience working with Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs), government officials, facility administrators, or other government stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Provide day-to-day operational leadership for the assigned region and transportation locations.
Oversee detainee transportation operations across multiple facilities, routes, and locations, ensuring compliance with government contract requirements, company policies, safety standards, and operating procedures.
Lead transportation officers, supervisors, and support personnel; monitor staffing, attendance, scheduling, vacancies, turnover, and operational coverage.
Develop staffing and operational plans to ensure personnel are available to meet mission requirements.
Monitor transportation schedules, assignments, routes, vehicle availability, and operational changes; ensure detainee movements follow required custody, accountability, search, restraint, transfer, documentation, communication, and security procedures.
Conduct site visits to assess operational performance, employee readiness, safety, security, and compliance, and establish consistent standards across assigned locations.
Review performance metrics and staffing, transportation, incident, attendance, and safety data; identify trends, deficiencies, and improvement opportunities.
Investigate operational issues, employee concerns, incidents, complaints, and vehicle events; ensure documentation, reporting, investigation, and escalation are completed as required.
Develop and implement corrective action plans for operational, safety, security, staffing, or compliance deficiencies; conduct or support inspections, quality-control reviews, audits, and compliance assessments.
Maintain relationships with government CORs, facility leadership, law enforcement partners, and other government stakeholders; serve as a field-level liaison to government representatives and Program Management.
Coordinate with Fleet, Training, Human Resources, and administrative teams on vehicles, employee qualifications and training, staffing, onboarding, employee relations, documentation, and workforce matters.
Monitor employee performance and ensure supervisors address performance, attendance, conduct, and policy issues; support recruitment, hiring, and onboarding efforts.
Ensure employees complete required onboarding, training, credentialing, and qualifications before performing operational duties.
Support emergency and contingency operations, including breakdowns, accidents, staffing shortages, security incidents, medical emergencies, and other disruptions; maintain appropriate plans and resources.
Prepare regional operational reports, staffing updates, incident summaries, performance metrics, and other required documentation.
Conduct regular meetings with regional supervisors and field leadership; communicate priorities, program changes, policies, government requirements, and operational directives.
Ensure changes to contract requirements and operating procedures are implemented across assigned regions and monitor compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
Assist Program Management with contract start-up, transition, expansion, staffing increases, and new operational requirements.
Travel extensively throughout Texas and periodically to New Mexico and Oklahoma; remain available for significant operational issues and emergencies outside normal business hours when required.
Perform other duties necessary to ensure successful execution of regional operations.