Program Coordinator II (Operations Manager) - 60025688

About the role

The mission of the South Carolina Department of Education is to serve students, support teachers, empower parents, and engage the community so that every student graduates prepared to reach their full potential. Transportation plays a critical role in student access, safety, and opportunity across the state. SCDE Transportation helps districts deliver safe, reliable, compliant service through operations, maintenance, safety, training, fleet management, and leadership. The Operations Manager leads county-level school bus shop operations, connecting day-to-day operations with statewide transportation priorities, providing leadership over staff, facilities, fleet readiness, safety compliance, and service quality across assigned service centers.

Responsibilities

• Ensure fleet readiness: oversee preventive maintenance and repair performance, monitor schedules and repair quality, reduce out-of-service vehicle counts, verify accuracy of AssetWorks work orders and maintenance documentation.
• Maintain facility integrity: conduct facility and fleet inspections, maintain clean, safe, and compliant shop and work environments.
• Lead personnel effectiveness: recruit, interview, onboard, train, and evaluate staff; maintain personnel records; monitor attendance, schedules, leave; coordinate CDL training and certifications; address performance concerns and employee relations.
• Enforce safety compliance: conduct accident investigations, ensure required documentation, ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental, and safety regulations, enforce PPE and safety procedures.
• Optimize routing accuracy: review AssetWorks maintenance data, vehicle inventories, service records; verify routing using Student Transportation/Traversa systems; audit route runs, address hazardous stops, monitor Geotab telematics data; analyze trends to improve efficiency and reliability.
• Deliver consistent service: serve as primary district-facing coordinator for service expectations and operational issues; manage purchasing/assets, reporting/audit readiness, fuel compliance, regional directives; liaise with districts on routing issues, policy interpretation, safety concerns, service expectations; support in-service training, annual start-up, seasonal needs; collaborate to resolve operational challenges; approve parts and supply purchases, ensure contract compliance; reconcile procurement card activity, support inventory audits; manage fixed assets and lifecycle tracking; maintain permits, accident documentation, hazard repair records, invoicing, reports in audit-ready condition; prepare and submit monthly and quarterly operational reports; oversee fuel infrastructure readiness and inspections; ensure compliance with fuel storage, disposal, and RAR tire processes; carry out directives from Regional Manager; perform other duties supporting statewide transportation services and agency priorities.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree and relevant program experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three (3) years of experience in transportation programs, operations, or a related field, or a bachelor’s degree plus three (3) years of relevant experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Passenger and Air Brake endorsements within 120 days of employment.
• Ability to obtain required certifications including OSHA-30, CPR/First Aid, Reasonable Suspicion, A/B Operator, School Bus Inspection, and Forklift certifications.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and agency information systems.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, communicate effectively, and maintain accurate documentation.
• Ability to work in office, shop, and outdoor environments and comply with all safety requirements.
• Ability to pass required drug screenings, background checks, and USDOT medical examination.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of pupil transportation operations and fleet management principles.
• Ability to lead multi-site operations and supervise diverse teams.
• Experience with maintenance, routing, safety, and compliance systems.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and implement operational improvements.
• Strong administrative, organizational, and communication skills.
• Commitment to safety, accountability, and public service.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance options for employees and eligible dependents.
• Fifteen (15) days annual (vacation) leave per year.
• Fifteen (15) days sick leave per year.
• Thirteen (13) paid holidays.
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation (401k) programs.
• Professional development and leadership training opportunities.