Assistant Director- Transportation

Pay Grade: 870 (Min 400.54 per day)
Work Days:  226

 

Primary Purpose:

 Assist in directing the operational, personnel and financial activities of the Transportation Services department. Assist and manage the transportation and vehicle maintenance program of all district-owned vehicles. Responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the Transportation Department.

Qualifications:
Education/Certification:

• Bachelor's Degree preferred, or applicable experience in transportation services
• TAPT Professional Certified Pupil Transportation Official (CTPTO) preferred

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Knowledge of energy management, vehicle repair and maintenance
• Ability to manage budget and personnel
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Able to act proactively to ensure smooth team operations and effective collaboration and motivation

Experience:

• Three years of leadership and management experience in transportation operations, preferably in a school setting

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Transportation and Vehicle Maintenance Operations 

• Supervise the safe and efficient delivery of transportation services for all students during the regular school day, field trips, and other district programs
• Oversee the routing team regarding bus routes and schedules for all schools in the district and monitor future transportation needs and communicate to the department, campus, and district as needed
• Direct and manage, in coordination with the Director, the district's transportation and vehicle maintenance program including keeping an accurate inventory, maintenance records, and replacement schedules as well as fuel deliveries, distribution, and payment
• Ensure all district-owned vehicles and preventative maintenance repair requests and work orders are prioritized and processed in a timely manner. Contract for outside services that cannot be performed in the shop
• Effectively work with the Director and manage staff regarding transportation training options and/or improvement plans, logistics, operations, rules, and regulation communications to ensure the best operation of the transportation department

Communication and Community Relations 

• Establish and maintain a professional relationship and open communication with principals, teachers, staff, parents, and community members
• Demonstrate use of appropriate and effective techniques to encourage community and parent involvement
• Work with the Director to demonstrate and encourage the district's and department's mission
• Communicate clearly with parents and the campuses and respond to their concerns in a timely manner 

Policy, Reports, Law

• Ensure the policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and the local board policy in the area of transportation, including student eligibility
• Maintain safety standards in conformance with state, federal, and insurance regulations and develop a program of preventive safety
• Assist the Director to manage an accurate collection and submission of data and other required reporting to regulatory agencies such as Texas Education Agency (TEA), Texas Commission Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and the district's SHARS/Medicaid Reimbursement program
• Assist and maintain all reports, records, and other documents required by TEA and the District
• Manage processes for all documents required to verify safety certifications and alcohol and drug testing of bus drivers

Budget and Inventory 

• Assist the Director with the budget based on documented needs and ensure operations are cost-effective and funds are managed wisely; maintain account of student transportation costs
• Manage the current inventory of supplies and parts and initiate purchases in accordance with budgetary limitations and district policies
• Work with the Director on related budgets and resources for the entire department
• Collaborate with the Director, campuses, and other departments to plan logistics, weigh risks, as well as consider budgetary costs to implement any proposed program modification necessary for students
• Verify employee time records are accurately maintained and data necessary to process transportation payroll in a timely manner

Student Management 

• Support the district's student management policies and continually strive to improve student behavior related to transportation programs
• Guide supervisors, managers, bus drivers, bus assistants, and school principals to quickly resolve issues directly related to transportation services, including student discipline

Personnel

• Select, train, supervise, and evaluate staff and make recommendations relative to assignment, retention, discipline, and dismissal
• Comply with applicable personnel policies, statutes, and rules (e.g., Equal Employment Opportunity, Title IX, Fair Labor Standards Act)
• Oversee bus driver training opportunities and requirements to obtain Commercial Driver's License as well as safety and operations training for drivers for general and special education bus routes
• Assist the Director by leading and evaluating all transportation staff to ensure effectiveness in all areas of the department
• Help in the review and revision of personnel policies, rules, and regulations
• Assist the Director in the preparation, review, and revision of job descriptions in the transportation department as necessary 

Safety

• Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures
• Manage on-site inspections of all vehicle repair and maintenance operations to ensure school buses, activity buses, and other district-owned vehicles are mechanically safe to operate
• Work with staff to manage and develop student safety conduct rules in support of the district's safety policy to ensure a safe environment for staff and students
• Assist in monitoring weather and road conditions and work with supervisors, managers, and dispatch on operational impact
• Participate in the development and implementation of the district's disaster plan and be prepared to take an active role in responding to emergencies as needed.
• Respond to after-hours emergency calls as needed. Work with staff to deliver buses to drivers when breakdowns or excessive absences. Perform disaster duties as needed (hurricanes, storms and earthquakes, evacuations, etc.), and work with the Director concerning inclement weather and road conditions, which may affect campuses/activities.
• Establish and implement procedures for safeguarding transportation equipment
• Assist with the investigation and reporting of all accidents pertaining to all district vehicles. This includes preparing and submitting accident information annually to TEA. Assist with Accident Review Committee functions, Site-Based Committee activities, and compilation and accountability of the Transportation Employees

Other

• Attend professional growth activities to keep abreast of innovative techniques in transportation
• Demonstrate an awareness of school-community needs and initiate activities to meet those identified needs
• Support PISD and department level ideals, goals and mission
• Follow all rules, regulations, and policies of Plano ISD and follow directives from supervisor
• Follow attendance policy as assigned by supervisor
• Perform other functions that may be assigned by the Administration and/or supervisor

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Responsible for supervising, managing and leading team members on a daily basis
• Supervise and evaluate the performance of bus drivers, bus aides, dispatcher, and support staff assigned to the transportation department

Working Conditions:
Mental Demands:

• Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written); interpret policy, procedures, and data; coordinate district functions; maintain emotional control under stress

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

• Frequent districtwide travel; frequent prolonged and irregular hours; ability to conduct on-site inspections of all vehicle repair and maintenance operations; work around moving objects or vehicles; fumes, solvents; grease and oil; may work under conditions of inclement weather; frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing and pulling; Light Heavy Work: Lifting 75 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 40 pounds; prolonged use of computer and repetitive hand motions

SM052026