Transportation Manager - Providence, Rhode Island

This role is an exciting opportunity to serve within a diverse and dynamic team committed to transforming public education in the Providence Public School District (PPSD). We're hiring someone who believes in the capacity of all students to achieve at high levels, and the ability ...

Job description

This role is an exciting opportunity to serve within a diverse and dynamic team committed to transforming public education in the Providence Public School District (PPSD). We're hiring someone who believes in the capacity of all students to achieve at high levels, and the ability to work collaboratively with a diverse set of partners and stakeholders to drive  transformative change within and outside of an organization.

Reporting directly to the Director of Operations & Student Support Services /Transportation, the Transportation Manager will be responsible for system-wide administrative and supervisory functions of transportation as required by State law and/or School Board policy. The Transportation Manager will work directly with PPSD's contracted yellow bus vendor as well as RIPTA to coordinate bussing needs and ensure top quality service to students and will serve as the liaison between Information Technology and Transportation regarding all routing software.

The Providence Public School District (PPSD) serves approximately 22,000 students attending our 37 schools. PPSD employs more than 3,200 professionals who work in and provide support to our schools, which include 20 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, 11 high schools and 2 public district charter schools. Of our employees, approximately 2,000 are educators, and more than 600 others directly support students and families in our schools.

Our schools are diverse learning communities. Approximately 68% of our students are Latinx, 15% Black, 7% White, 4% Asian, 5.5% Multi-racial and 1% Native American. Approximately 40% of students are multilingual learners, and about 16% of students receive special education services. Approximately 55% of students come from homes where English is not the primary language spoken. Combined, our students and families speak more than 55 different languages and hail from 91 countries of origin.

REPORTS TO: Director of Operations & Student Support Services /Transportation

**Contingent upon funding**

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, logistics, business management, business administration or related field by an accreditation agency recognized by the US Department of Education preferred.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS:

• Minimum of 3-5 years of transportation routing and supervision experience in a community comparable to Providence or comparable supervisory experience.
• Experience and proficiency in Edulog computer program or similar routing programs.
  Expertise in planning two and three tier routing systems.
• Computer proficiency with a working knowledge of MS Word and Excel required, knowledge of Access and Power Point preferred
• Knowledge of state laws and mandates pertaining to transportation (monitors, special education requirements, etc.)

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILTIES:

• Annually design bus routes for all public, charter and parochial schools within the district and for other students in Providence as required by law. 
• Supervise all routing personnel, transportation clerks, and monitors including hiring, evaluation, work schedules, attendance, and progressive discipline. 
• Oversee all transportation of high school students on public buses (i.e., RIPTA) and manage implementation of contracts with bus providers, including liaising with First Student and related contacts. 
• Responsible for the complete mapping and development of all transportation routes throughout the District using the Edulog Routing System and Athena software to triage and improve routing efficiency. 
• Prepare and manage the Pupil Transportation budget, maintain detailed records of expenditures, submit for approval, and prepare monthly and quarterly budget reports.
• Prepare specifications, advertise, solicit, and analyze bids for privately-operated pupil transportation services when directed, and prepare related reports. 
• Implement and integrate Edulog routing system for all buses transporting Providence students within city limits and to out-of-District sites.
• Implement eligibility requirements established by the Providence School Board and ensure compliance with all City, State, and Federal laws related to school transportation.
• Maintain and review KPI databases to ensure transportation routes operate at optimal efficiency.
• Oversee statewide bussing and the bus yard operations including monitoring foremen, managing overflow students returning to the bus yard (e.g., daycare), and sending out AM and PM late notices.
• Serve as the initial point of contact for labor relations concerns, manage 60-day benefit counts, and work closely with labor representatives and providers.
• Liaise with Bus Patrol vendors for safety protocols, oversee accident reporting via ParentSquare, and manage critical incident reporting.
• Confirm supervisory responsibilities and manage operations for crossing guards, coordinate professional development days, collaborate on job fairs, determine summer work plans, and support family inquiries related to registration peak seasons, student routing, and bus passes.
• Manage transportation-related technology platforms including Let's Talk and RIPTA communication.
• Oversee Let's Talk for all incoming transportation inquiries and manage summer professional development programs in collaboration with the Transportation Director.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance, including no vacation or personal time during the routing period (July 6th through September 15th).
• Oversee all transportation of high school students on public buses (i.e., RIPTA) and manage implementation of contracts with bus providers, including liaising with First Student and related contacts.
• Responsible for the complete mapping and development of all transportation routes throughout the District using the Edulog Routing System and Athena software to triage and improve routing efficiency.
• Prepare and manage the Pupil Transportation budget, maintain detailed records of expenditures, submit for approval, and prepare monthly and quarterly budget reports.
• Prepare specifications, advertise, solicit, and analyze bids for privately-operated pupil transportation services when directed, and prepare related reports.
• Implement and integrate Edulog routing system for all buses transporting Providence students within city limits and to out-of-District sites.
• Implement eligibility requirements established by the Providence School Board and ensure compliance with all City, State, and Federal laws related to school transportation.
• Maintain and review KPI databases to ensure transportation routes operate at optimal efficiency.
• Oversee statewide bussing and the bus yard operations including monitoring foremen, managing overflow students returning to the bus yard (e.g., daycare), and sending out AM and PM late notices.
• Serve as the initial point of contact for labor relations concerns, manage 60-day benefit counts, and work closely with labor representatives and providers.
• Liaise with Bus Patrol vendors for safety protocols, oversee accident reporting via ParentSquare, and manage critical incident reporting.
• Review on time report from First Student and notify parent and school of buses not running on time through Parent Square.  This is a daily occurrence and should be higher on the list of duties
• Confirm supervisory responsibilities and manage operations for crossing guards, coordinate professional development days, collaborate on job fairs, determine summer work plans, and support family inquiries related to registration peak seasons, student routing, and bus passes.
• Manage transportation-related technology platforms including Let's Talk and RIPTA communication.
• Oversee Let's Talk for all incoming transportation inquiries and manage summer professional development programs in collaboration with the Transportation Director.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance, including no vacation or personal time during the routing period (July 6th through September 15th).
• Perform any other related tasks and assume additional responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Operations or administration.