Regional Operations Manager, Detainee Transport Operations

GARDAWORLD FEDERAL SERVICES LLC•San Antonio, TX

3d•$95,000 - $105,000•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, and serves as a liaison among field operations, Program Management, government representatives, and other functional departments. The position is remote with extensive travel, including travel throughout Texas and periodic travel to New Mexico and Oklahoma; the stated travel requirement is 75%. The role may require responding to significant operational issues and emergencies outside normal business hours. The position requires at least five years of progressive operations management experience in transportation, detention, corrections, law enforcement, security, logistics, or government contracting, including management of geographically dispersed operations and direct supervision of operational personnel. A bachelor's degree in a relevant field is preferred, although equivalent relevant experience may be considered. The role also requires a valid driver's license and successful completion of required government background investigations, suitability requirements, and contract-mandated screening. The work environment may include exposure to extreme hot or cold weather, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and loud noise. Physical activities may include remaining stationary, standing, pushing, pulling, climbing, kneeling, crawling, balancing, squatting, bending, reaching, and using carts or dollies to move items. Employees may occasionally need to lift or move up to 49 pounds.

Requirements

At least 5 years of progressive operations management experience in transportation, detention, corrections, law enforcement, security, logistics, or government contracting.
Demonstrated 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 federal, state, and local regulations governing detainee transportation, detention operations, transportation safety, and security.
Demonstrated experience managing staffing, scheduling, workforce performance, and operational coverage across multiple locations.
Demonstrated 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.
Strong understanding of employee performance management, 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 and 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 safe, secure, efficient movement and adherence to established protocols.
Ensure operations meet government contract requirements, company policies, safety standards, operating procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
Lead transportation officers, supervisors, and support personnel; monitor performance, attendance, conduct, and workforce coverage.
Develop staffing and operational plans; address vacancies, absenteeism, turnover, scheduling issues, and other workforce challenges.
Monitor daily schedules, assignments, routes, vehicle availability, and operational changes.
Ensure required custody, accountability, search, restraint, transfer, documentation, communication, and security procedures are followed.
Conduct site visits to assess performance, readiness, safety, security, and compliance, and establish consistent operating standards across locations.
Monitor operational metrics and review staffing, transportation, incident, attendance, safety, and other data to identify trends and support decisions.
Investigate operational issues, employee concerns, security and vehicle incidents, complaints, and other events; ensure incidents are documented, reported, investigated, and escalated appropriately.
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 CORs, facility leadership, law enforcement partners, and government stakeholders; serve as a field-level liaison to government representatives and Program Management.
Respond to government concerns and requests and ensure appropriate follow-up and resolution.
Coordinate with Fleet, Training, Human Resources, and administrative personnel on vehicle readiness, employee qualifications and training, staffing, onboarding, employee relations, and workforce matters.
Support recruitment, hiring, onboarding, credentialing, and qualification efforts, ensuring employees meet requirements before performing operational duties.
Support emergency and contingency operations, maintain appropriate contingency plans and resources, and respond to disruptions such as breakdowns, accidents, staffing shortages, security incidents, and medical emergencies.
Prepare and submit regional reports, staffing updates, incident summaries, performance metrics, and other required documentation.
Meet regularly with regional supervisors and field leaders; communicate priorities, changes, policy updates, government requirements, and operational directives.
Assist Program Management with contract start-up, transition, expansion, staffing increases, and new operational requirements.
Travel extensively across assigned areas of Texas and periodically to New Mexico and Oklahoma; remain available for significant issues and emergencies outside normal business hours when required.
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, employee performance, transportation capacity, safety, and customer service.
Perform other duties necessary to ensure successful execution of assigned regional operations.