Transportation Director

Berrien Springs Public Schools•Berrien Springs, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Berrien Springs Public Schools (BSPS) is seeking a dedicated Transportation Director to lead its Transportation Department. This department plays a crucial role in ensuring safe, reliable, and caring transportation for approximately 2,300 students across 13 daily routes, utilizing a fleet of 30 buses/vehicles and a team of around 16 drivers, mechanics, and support staff. The Director will report to the Director of Operations and will be responsible for the daily operations, people, and systems of the department, ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements, district policies, and high safety standards. This hands-on leadership role involves developing and supporting transportation employees, setting clear expectations, maintaining fleet readiness, overseeing routing and staffing, strengthening safety and compliance, managing the department budget, and improving systems and technology. The Director will provide direct leadership to drivers, mechanics, substitute drivers, transportation management, and dispatch staff, ensuring all maintenance, repairs, inspections, driver qualifications, training, and regulatory requirements are met accurately and on time. A key aspect of the role is serving as a communication link between transportation and the schools, working closely with district leadership, administrators, employees, families, and students to resolve concerns and ensure timely information flow.

Requirements

Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent required.
Demonstrated leadership or supervisory experience in student transportation, fleet management, logistics, operations, or a related environment.
Demonstrated ability to lead employees, establish expectations, evaluate performance, address personnel concerns, and build an accountable and service-oriented team.
Knowledge of school transportation safety, fleet operations, routing, scheduling, vehicle maintenance, regulatory compliance, or the demonstrated ability to quickly develop expertise in these areas.
Experience developing, managing, and monitoring departmental or operational budgets.
Strong organizational, problem-solving, decision-making, and written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to use technology for routing, scheduling, communication, reporting, budgeting, payroll, recordkeeping, and operational analysis.
Ability to work collaboratively and professionally with District leadership, building administrators, employees, students, families, and community members.
Ability to maintain consistent availability during critical transportation operating periods and respond to urgent operational needs, when necessary.
Understanding of the role student transportation plays in supporting safety, student success, and the overall educational experience.
Ability to perform all essential duties satisfactorily, with reasonable accommodations provided, as appropriate.
Valid driver's license and driving record that meets District, State of Michigan, and insurance carrier requirements for operating a school bus, and any applicable regulatory requirements.
Must obtain and maintain all required medical certifications, licenses, endorsements, training, continuing education, and other credentials required by the State of Michigan, federal regulations, and Berrien Springs Public Schools for assigned transportation responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in business, transportation, logistics, operations, education, public administration, or a related field preferred.
School transportation experience preferred.
Must possess, or be able to obtain, and maintain a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with appropriate passenger and school bus endorsements preferred at the time of hire and required within 6 months of employment.
Experience with Tyler transportation management and routing software preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the daily operations, people, and systems of the BSPS Transportation Department.
Ensure safe, reliable, efficient, and student-centered transportation in accordance with state and federal requirements, district policies, and the highest standards of safety.
Lead a transportation operation serving approximately 2,300 students across 13 daily routes, supported by a fleet of 30 buses/vehicles and a team of approximately 16 drivers, mechanics, dispatcher, and Transportation Manager.
Develop and support transportation employees, establishing clear expectations and accountability.
Maintain fleet readiness, overseeing routing and staffing.
Strengthen safety and compliance.
Manage the department budget.
Continuously improve the systems and technology that support the operation.
Provide direct leadership and oversight for bus drivers, mechanics, substitute drivers, transportation management, dispatch/office staff, and other department personnel.
Ensure that preventative maintenance, repairs, inspections, driver qualifications, training, documentation, and regulatory requirements are completed accurately, and on schedule.
Serve as a key communication link between transportation and the schools.
Work closely with district leadership, building administrators, employees, families, and students to resolve concerns, respond to changing needs, and ensure schools have timely and accurate transportation information.