General Definition of Work

Under the direction of the Chief Operations Officer and/or Superintendent, the Director I - Transportation Services is responsible for directing the operations of the transportation department to provide safe and efficient transportation of all eligible students to and from schools and school activities each day.

Essential Functions

• Lead, train, motivate and listen to department staff and provide guidance, direction, consultation and assistance as needed.
• Direct office personnel in the planning of bus routes, schedules, and stops to comply with policies provided by the Danville School Board, Virginia Department of Education, and Virginia State Police.
• Review, interview, and make recommendations for hiring of new Transportation Services personnel.
• Approve, coordinate, initiate and supervise a bus driver training program that addresses the needs of personnel in the department as it relates to transportation.
• Direct such areas as fleet operation, maintenance, dispatch, training, safety issues and public relations.
• Develops a five year bus replacement plan as required by the DOE.
• Orders replacement buses according to needs of the district replacement plan.
• Supervision of drivers, mechanics, dispatchers and other transportation personnel.
• Submits written reports evaluating the performance of all staff service under his/her areas of responsibility.
• Help and assist drivers with student management to include viewing of bus videos.
• Lead the department in the use of GPS, video, VHF radios, and other electronic media to track student ridership and improve efficiency
• Serves as a liaison to resolve issues/disputes that may arise between district drivers, staff, and patrons
• Plans and directs implementation of new technology for use in the transportation department.
• Establishes performance standards and supervise operational care, servicing, and maintenance of all vehicles within the department. Conducts meetings with drivers, parents and school officials to include athletic director meetings, safety meetings, and staff meetings with office personnel.
• Work closely with the Special Education Department to provide top quality service to our special education and pre-school students.
• Evaluate school bus stop requests, and make recommendations that promote safety and efficiency.
• Develops policies and administrative regulations for Board consideration in regard to hazardous walking areas and the pupil transportation department.
• Assist with development and preparation of reports and presentations to the School Board, District Cabinet, Principals and District Administrators.
• Coordinates with the Director of School Safety and Security on all vehicle accident investigations and coordinates proper reporting to law enforcement and insurance agencies. Initiates corrective action when appropriate.
• Coordinates with the Director of School Safety and Security in providing support to the Danville Emergency Management in the event of a disaster.
• Coordinates with the Director of School Safety and Security to assess weather conditions and advise Superintendent of inclement weather closure recommendations
• Maintains good working relationship with Danville Mass Transit and Danville Public Works.
• Establishes and maintains current DMV records for all drivers and staff.
• Directs driver DOE physical requirements and pre-employment drug testing.
• Conducts meetings with drivers, parents and school officials to include athletic director meetings, safety meetings, and staff meetings with office personnel.
• Work closely with the Special Education Department to provide top quality service to our special education and pre-school students.
• Evaluate school bus stop requests, and make recommendations that promote safety and efficiency.
• Develops policies and administrative regulations for Board consideration in regard to hazardous walking areas and the pupil transportation department.
• Develops school redistricting boundaries for approval upon request.
• Assist with development and preparation of reports and presentations to the School Board, District Cabinet, Principals and District Administrators.
• Coordinates the efforts of school officials, parents, students, and drivers in an effort to resolve or prevent discipline problems or other unsafe conditions in the student transportation system.
• Maintains a close working relationship with the Virginia Department of Education to assist with providing input on transportation costs, state funding formulas, driver training, and state regulations
• Meets with transportation personnel from other districts for pooling of experience, solving of problems, and making recommendations for state and federal transportation policies. Keeps District Cabinet and School Board informed on developments and changes in transportation services provided by other district, personnel changes, and needs of the department.
• Establishes and maintains third party federal random drug and alcohol testing program for all employees required to test.
• Develops, maintains and monitors the bus conduct program to promote positive behavior on buses.
• Collects data and develops all required bus transportation reports with extensive use of data processing. Ensures that all required reports are submitted to the proper agencies on a timely basis.
• Establishes and maintains a good public relations program designed to promote understanding of and support for the school transportation system.
• Maintains all valid certificates, licenses, endorsements, and permits as required by state and local authorities.
• Drive a school bus with or without passengers on a periodic basis.
• Develops an annual budget to reflect the needs of the Transportation Services Department.
• Reviews and submits weekly payroll to the Finance Department.
• Required to follow board policies and stay abreast of updates and changes.
• Performs other duties as requested/assigned by the Chief Operations Officer, and/or Superintendent.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Strong analytical, program management and supervisory skills. Strong understanding of client-centered support. Knowledge of district policy, laws and regulations that relate to the management of Transportation departments. Effective oral and written communications. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate positively with staff, students, parents and the public. Ability to work both independently and cooperatively. Ability to organize work, set priorities, and meet deadlines. Ability to establish effective working relationships at all levels of the organization. May be required to participate in random drug testing program. Ability to perform responsibilities with minimum supervision.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or higher in business, management, or related fields preferred. Successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities, or have otherwise demonstrated a commitment to strengthening engagement of a diverse community and skill in communicating with a diverse population. Possess a valid Virginia State driver's license and hold a safe driving record. Possess, or be eligible for a Commercial Driver's License authorization with the passenger and air brake endorsements. Minimum of two years of management experience including staff supervision in a comparable environment. Experience and/or responsibilities must include or be related to the following: supervision of personnel, routing and scheduling (dispatching), driver training, accident investigation, inventory control and preparation of bus specifications.