Transportation Supervisor

About the role

Provide direction, support, and oversight to office staff, school bus drivers, attendants, and/or monitors at a Dean operation center to ensure safe and reliable transportation of students and other passengers, as well as support to local school district(s). Driving a school bus may be required as needed.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a positive and professional relationship with student passengers, parents and guardians, contracting agency, Dean Transportation staff, and the general public.
• Establish safe and efficient transportation routes.
• Supervise the performance of Dean Transportation employees; provide direction, leadership, counseling, recognition, and discipline as appropriate.
• Review and respond to passenger behavioral concerns.
• Interview, select, and process applicants through established hiring procedures and maintain appropriate staffing levels.
• Determine equipment and vehicle needs, including school bus seat configurations, wheelchair capacity, and any other related equipment.
• Work in a team culture which includes attending weekly conference calls, monthly supervisor meetings, and annual supervisor in-service.
• Prepare accurate billing information for field trips, mileage logs, and student passenger attendance reports.
• Organize and attend school bus training events.
• Perform other duties as required.

Additional Responsibilities (when applicable)

• Drive a school bus route and/or assist with dispatching when needed, including:
  • Conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections of your assigned vehicle as required.
  • Use established routes and designated bus stops.
  • Conduct emergency evacuation drills as required.
  • Instruct passenger riders regarding safety.
  • Drive defensively under varying traffic conditions and inclement weather.
  • Drive with the safety of passengers as the first priority.
  • Establish favorable working relationships with other drivers, office and maintenance personnel, bus attendants and monitors, passengers, parents, teachers, principals, and school or program staff.
  • Achieve self-improvement by attending training sessions, annual in-service, and workshops conducted by Dean Transportation and/or other approved agencies.

Requirements

• Meet all general qualifications for employment.
• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Possess experience in the school bus industry or transportation field.
• Possess prior supervisory or management experience.
• Meet company and state standards for driving record check.
• Meet company, state, and school district standards for criminal history check.
• Meet Federal DOT guidelines and physical examination requirements.
• Pass drug and alcohol screening as established by the company.
• Meet Michigan School Bus Supervisory Continuing Education Requirements.
• Successfully pass Dean Transportation School Bus Driver Training Program, including:
  • Classroom instruction
  • Behind-the-wheel instruction
  • Written and driving skills test
• Meet Michigan School Bus Driver Certification Requirements, including:
  • Minimum hours of instruction
  • Satisfactorily pass knowledge examination
  • Meet local, county, and state standards for driving skills test
• Meet state requirements for appropriate commercial vehicle licensing.

Skills

• Proficiency with computers, multi-line phone systems, and office equipment.
• Excellent attendance record.
• Ability to work effectively in a team setting.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Effective organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective and efficient problem-solving skills.
• Work independently and efficiently.
• Supervise and evaluate performance of assigned staff.
• Travel occasionally to other Dean Transportation operations, primarily within the regional service area.
• Plan, organize, and direct school bus transportation services.
• Competently handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Positively advocate Dean Transportation to others.
• Knowledge of geographic service area of the school district and routes assigned to the local Dean Transportation operation.
• Knowledge of rules and regulations promulgated by local, state, and federal agencies.
• Knowledge of state laws and local ordinances.
• Ability to deal with exuberant behavior characteristics of student passengers.
• Administer disciplinary procedures in keeping with company policies.
• Alertness and good judgment concerning emergencies and day-to-day operations.
• Successfully conduct a bus evacuation drill as required by company management.
• Keep accurate records and reports as required, submit in a legible condition, and turn in at the specified time.
• Conduct yourself as a professional Dean Transportation staff member at all times.
• Operate all vehicle lifts as prescribed in company policy.
• Secure all equipment required for each passenger as prescribed in company policy.
• Ability to lift, store, and disassemble/assemble wheelchairs of a maximum weight of 40 pounds and/or other ambulatory devices required by the passenger.

Driving Performance Evaluations

Driving performance evaluations are performed continuously as part of company safety training. Supervisors may be subjected to customized driving evaluations at any time during employment when the company has a specific concern or has received a report of improper driving.

Physical Requirements

Supervisors may be required to drive a school bus. School Bus Drivers are required through their employment to perform various physical tasks, including:

• Opening and closing a bus hood and lifting the hood up to perform pre-trip requirements of the engine.
• Opening and closing of bus entrance and emergency doors.
• Bending, pushing, and pulling to load and unload a wheelchair, with or without a passenger, onto a lift platform, by exerting a maximum of 40 pounds of push/pull pressure.
• Bending, supporting, and otherwise physically helping passengers into and out of a school bus.
• Carrying and lifting into and from the school bus, personal articles and adaptive equipment of various weights and sizes.
• Bending and stretching for the cleaning and securement of equipment in the interior of the school bus.
• Bending, stretching, pulling, and dragging all persons, equipment, or other types of articles of varying sizes and weights out of emergency exits on demand.

Benefits

Benefits packages are available to eligible employees. Employer contribution levels vary based on established qualifying factors. A 401(k)-retirement plan is available after completion of one (1) year of service, contingent upon satisfying all other eligibility requirements.