Skip to main content

This job has expired

Operations Manager

Employer
Arlington Public Schools
Location
Arlington, VA, US
Salary
Competitive
JOB STATUS: OPEN
POSTING DATE: 05/13/2022
CLOSING DATE: 05/22/2022 05:00 PM
POSTING NUMBER: E21/22-053.80.1
LOCATION: Transportation Department
POSITION TITLE: Operations Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Arlington Public Schools (APS) requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless a medical or religious exemption is approved. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen (i.e. Pfizer, Moderna, and/or Johnson and Johnson). As a condition of employment, newly hired employees will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

The Operations Manager is responsible for the administration and management of transportation operations, to include supervisory oversight over operational personnel, coordination of administrative and operational activities (e.g., compliance testing, accident/incident reporting, bus maintenance, routing and planning, driver and attendant safety and compliance training., etc.), and ensuring compliance with APS policies/procedures, federal, state, and local regulations regarding pupil transportation. The Operations Manager may serve as the designee of the Executive Director of Transportation and Fleet Management as assigned.

SUPERVISION

The Operations Manager receives general direction and reports to the Executive Director of Transportation and Fleet Management. This position oversees the recruitment, screening, selection, assignment, supervision, and evaluation of personnel in the department. The position also provides guidance and assistance to full-time, part-time, and/or hourly employees, as assigned. Direct reports may include Cluster Leaders, Swing Drivers, Coordinators (i.e., Customer Service, Routing and Planning), and Driver/Attendant Trainers.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a single position class classified in the work of pupil transportation. Work in this class is distinguished through its supervision and coordination in all aspects of APS student transportation bus operations.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES

Work is predominantly sedentary and involves light physical effort. It requires moving about frequently to obtain work objects, supplies, etc., distribute work products, coordinate with others and perform related functions as well as some dexterity to perform operator checks and services on and operate a sedan or small pick-up truck (predominant type of motor vehicle operated) and a passenger bus, as needed; operating office and communications equipment, such as a computer and a telephone; and reviewing all kinds of written documents containing small print, symbols and special notations.

HAZARDS/UNUSUAL DEMANDS

Work is generally performed indoors except for field work in which work is performed outside under a wide range of climatic conditions.

Work may include after-hours duty, high volume, tight deadlines and other demands.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CLASS (May not include all duties)

Supervises and coordinates all aspects of student transportation operations, including responsibility for day-to-day operation of school buses.

Reviews and investigates serious student or bus operator concerns and recommends or initiates appropriate action.

Manages cyclical commercial drivers licensure compliance requirements for bus operators to include random drug/alcohol testing, annual and pre-employment physicals and fitness for duty assessments.

Prepares correspondence on student transportation issues for the department and other school system officials as required.

Confers with school officials, parents, central-office personnel and outside agency officials on student transportation problems, procedures, and requirements and recommends or initiates appropriate actions.

Assists operational supervisors in the handling of day-to-day problems and acts as a resource person to supervisors on management and transportation questions.

Promotes a high level of customer service and professionalism with the district office by investigating and resolving customer (e.g., student, parent, community residents, etc.), concerns in a timely manner and correcting any deficiencies in operation.

Compiles and analyzes routine transportation reports, data, and correspondence. Submits efficiency reports to show driver absences, late buses, missed stops, routes completely improperly, excess idling and other key performance indicators.

Monitors and manages internal and external communication between operational personnel, bus operators and attendants, safety and risk management, school-based and central office personnel.

Recommends hiring of, and other personnel actions concerning, bus operations staff (bus drivers, bus driver trainers, and bus dispatchers) of Transportation Services; trains, assigns, reviews, and evaluates the work of this staff; and performs related supervisory functions.

Manages post-accident protocols to ensure compliance with APS policies/procedures, federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Observes student transportation operations in the field (e.g., field observations/rides along, responding to special situations and emergencies, etc.), to identify potential improvements, take corrective-improvement action (within scope of authority), or makes recommendations to the Executive Director of Transportation and Fleet Management.

Stays abreast of developments directly affecting APS school transportation including but not limited to driving, dispatching, and training requirements, standards and issues emanating from the Virginia Departments of Motor Vehicles, the School Board and other APS officials, parent groups, and other sources. This includes changes in licensing or training requirements.

CONTACTS

Frequent contacts include but are not limited to the Assistant Superintendent, Facilities and Operations, APS Executive/Cabinet Leadership, School based and central office administrative and support staffs, most APS central department senior and mid-level administrative staff; professional consultants, contractors, vendors Occasional contacts include officials/staff/peers of Federal, State and local governments and school/professional associations; broadcast and print media reporters; members of public/special interest groups; local businesses; responding to parent/administrator inquiries about student transportation issues including issues concerning students with special needs; looking into complaints; recommending or approving emergency arrangements, as needed; coordinating with Arlington County Government regarding bus maintenance/availability; helping refocus attention on and improve the Transportation Demand Management Program; and performing related functions. Purposes also include individually researching transportation issues to support strategic student transportation plans, and develop, or review recommended, changes to procedures to improve transportation services.

EXPERIENCE:

Experience

Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in management of ground transportation operations or logistics is required. Experience in K-12 public education, pupil transportation, and considerable supervisory experience, in the scheduling, routing, and safe operation of a large fleet of school buses or similar fleet transportation system, or related field

is preferred.

Any other combination of education, training and experience which demonstrates the candidate is likely to possess the skill, knowledge, ability, and trait characteristics essential for this classification may be considered.

Knowledge of, and skill in, school bus driving (including operation of passenger buses exceeding 16 passengers and use of air brakes) to serve as a Cluster Lead Driver or a bus driver, on an as-needed basis. This includes operator level checks and services.

Skill in problem solving to select, organize and logically process relevant information (verbal, numerical or abstract) to solve a problem. This includes ability to recognize subtle aspects of problems, identify relevant information and make balanced recommendations and decisions. Examples include using quantitative and non-quantitative measures to assess effectiveness of Transportation Services (route planning/scheduling, dispatch, school bus operations, budgeting, personnel administration, etc.); managing special projects; adjusting services consistent with priorities and "environmental' conditions; ensuring effective coordination internally and representing Transportation Services externally with the full range of stakeholders; and ensuring that subordinates have the support to enable them to work effectively.

Skill in written communication to understand written information (including instructions, descriptions, and ideas), and to express such information in writing so that others will understand and, at times, be convinced or persuaded. Examples include reading administrative directives, technical manuals, route plans, dispatch reports, driver training plans/reports, bus maintenance status reports and routine correspondence; writing or reviewing specifications for acquisition of vehicles and equipment; drafting or reviewing procedures, management plans and personnel management documents; writing routine and non-routine correspondence, etc.

Skill in oral communication to understand verbal information (including instructions, descriptions, and ideas), and to express such information verbally to diverse audiences so they will understand and, as pertinent to the situation, be convinced or persuaded. This includes skill in issuing clear, complete, and concise instructions to subordinates, and coordinating within APS and externally; and the ability to listen "actively' and encourage effective oral communication by others, such as administrators, parents and subordinate employees regarding policies, procedures, costs, complaints and other matters.

Interpersonal skills to interact with contacts in a businesslike, customer service-oriented manner by establishing and maintaining effective working relationships and working in harmony with supervisors, staff, students, and the general public.

Skill in using a computer, modern office suite software (such as MS Office) and telecommunications devices to plan, schedule, communicate, word process, research (Internet), etc. This includes basic skill in using transportation routing/planning/scheduling software to monitor transport plans and operations.

Ability and willingness to work under pressure of recurring deadlines and short- or no-notice changes, such as weather-related late openings and early closings, as well as sub-optimum staffing/other resourcing problems, and other factors beyond one's control that adversely impact functions/services within one's area(s) of responsibility.

QUALIFICATIONS:

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION

A valid state driver's license is required.

A Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL), with Passenger Bus Endorsement, Air Brake Endorsement and School Bus Endorsement, is preferred after placement in the position in accordance with established procedures. These requirements are subject to change by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, or other authority, and are immediately effective upon change.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Transportation, Business, Urban Planning, Public and/or Education Administration or any other field providing a strong foundation for success in the duties and responsibilities in this class specification is required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of, and skill in, managing programs, projects, people, and resources in the effective provision of Transportation Services in support of instructional operations, APS-wide; or ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge/skill. This includes knowledge of/skill in the execution to managing assigned resources, and supervision at the first-level, second-level or third level of supervision to supervise subordinates (as pertinent to the primary role and specific assignments).

Knowledge of school bus transportation needs of students, including students with special transport needs, and of bus transportation planning/scheduling and operations (such as routing, dispatching, driver training/licensing, and safe bus operation) to help plan and manage day-to-day PreK-12 student transportation services; or ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge/skill.

Knowledge of, or ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of, budgeting, procurement and contracting, HR management and other administrative-support programs, policies, processes, and practices of APS to adhere to APS guidelines in performing functions of these types.

Knowledge of, and skill in using, community engagement principles and techniques to report and present information to, and to interact with, data consumers and decision makers across the spectrum of stakeholders.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

GUIDELINES

Guidelines include but are not limited to, Federal and Virginia regulations and guidelines concerning transportation of PreK-12 students; Arlington School Board Policies and policy implementation procedures (PIPs), especially E-5 (Transportation), and transportation issues related to support of students with special needs under I-7 (Special Education Programs and Services); Department of Facilities and Operations office and program procedures; administrative directives governing budget management, personnel management, inventory management, etc; technical manuals covering fleet management; software manuals for route planning/scheduling; generally-accepted principles, standards and practices of PreK-12 bus transport route planning/scheduling and operations; and general references. Some of these guidelines leave gaps. Others allow for wide discretion. The incumbent uses mature professional judgment in selecting and applying, or adapting and adjusting, guidelines to specific problems

and individual cases such as implementing new systems/procedures, managing change, managing or evaluating performance, solving customer service problems, analyzing costs and identifying/recommending cost control measures, etc.

The incumbent uses sound professional judgment to select and apply, or to adapt, adjust or develop, guidelines.

APPLY TO:

Please follow the instructions above.

SALARY:
Salary range of $91,488.94 to $109,242.58 (2022-23 SY Salary Schedule)

DAYS:

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert