DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job. 

SUMMARY OF DUTIES

Under the direction of the Assistant Superintendent – Business and Fiscal Services, plans, organizes, coordinates, and directs the District’s student transportation program including contract bus service and District owned Transportation fleet maintenance; trains, directs, supervises, and evaluates assigned staff; performs management duties including budget development, policy maintenance, special project analysis and implementation; and performs a variety of other duties relative to assigned area of responsibility.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS AMONG RELATED CLASSES

The classification of Director of Transportation is a management classification with responsibility for the planning, organizing, coordinating, and directing of the District’s student transportation program and has formal responsibility for all actions of the Transportation Services Department. In accordance with policy direction and guidance from the Assistant Superintendent, an incumbent is responsible for developing and implementing short and long range plans and strategies for meeting the District’s goals and objectives for student transportation.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

• Receives supervision from the Assistant Superintendent, Business and Fiscal Services.
• Exercises direct supervision over all staff in the Transportation department.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Plans, organizes, coordinates, and directs the dispatching, operation, inspection, maintenance, repair, and storage of school buses and other vehicles assigned to the Transportation Department; establishes and maintains all transportation related timelines and priorities;
• Supervises District transportation employees and employees of contracting bus companies while on duty for the District; addresses all complaints/concerns regarding District or contracted employees while on duty for the District; ensures coverage for absent bus drivers;
• Interviews, selects, trains, counsels, evaluates, motivates, and disciplines employees assigned to the Transportation Services Department;
• Develops and administers the department’s annual budget; oversees cost controls and all expenditures for equipment and services; collects and analyzes cost trend, service, and other data to support proposals for new equipment, programs, and increased efficiency of service;
• Recommends changes in transportation rules, regulations, and procedures; serves as District liaison officer for contract bus services and ensures that all provisions of contractors’ bus services are carried out in accordance with the District’s contract;
• Facilitates planning with school sites to meet transportation needs for each fiscal/school year; meets and confers with school administrators, contractors, public carrier officials, state and law enforcement officials, parents, and other members of the public regarding school transportation policies, problems, and procedures;
• Provides liaison between the public, school district, transportation contractor, and the Highway Patrol;
• Directs and may participate in the development and adjustment of school bus routes and schedules taking into account school calendars, address changes, new students, school and student needs, and various service requests; schedules and assigns routes and field trips to bus drivers; ensures proper distribution of schedules, routes, and other information to schools, parents, and other individuals or groups with a vested interest;
• Arranges for and/or conducts safety and other in-service trainings  to enhance employee knowledge and skills; ensures that personnel uphold laws, regulations, and certifications needed for the safe transportation of students;
• Ensures acceptable student behavior on buses; processes student conduct reports and holds parent conferences as necessary;
• Investigates and makes reports of all traffic accidents and mechanical breakdowns involving a school bus, student evacuations, and other types of emergencies; follows through and takes appropriate action to respond to situations and improve future practices;
• Monitors bus stops for safety, student control, and compliance with District, local, state, and federal rules and regulations; makes appropriate adjustments as needed;
• Maintains records of equipment, passengers, and personnel; maintains an inventory of supplies, equipment, and parts; prepares a variety of required reports;
• Makes recommendations regarding staffing and equipment needs in order to maintain a satisfactory level of service;
• Develops and maintains a maintenance program for vehicles assigned to the Transportation Department;
• Oversees storm water runoff and underground storage tank regulations to ensure compliance with all regulations and laws;
• Oversees the district substance abuse and alcohol misuse plan within the mandated requirements of DOT-FHWA;
• Evaluates and works to improve the overall effectiveness of customer service provided by the transportation department;
• Provides technical experience, information, and assistance to the Assistant Superintendent, Business and Fiscal Services regarding assigned functions.

Other Related Duties

• May drive regular school bus runs and/or field trips in emergency situations if possessing the proper qualifications, and if so, picks up and discharges students in accordance with established timelines and procedures, observes legal and defensive driving practices, and maintains order and discipline among passengers;
• Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND TRAITS

Knowledge of:

• Management principles/techniques, including planning, organizational analysis/behavior, budgeting principles and management control;
• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a school bus transportation program;
• Principles and practices of operating a school bus transportation system including establishment of routes and schedules;
• Sections of the California Education Code, California State Vehicle Code  and City and County Ordinances; and policies, rules and regulations of the school district relating to pupil transportation;
• Education code provisions, collective bargaining agreement sections, and Personnel Commission rules regarding labor, contracted work, etc.;
• Drug testing program;
• Storm water runoff regulations and underground storage tank regulations;
• Computer hardware and software including transportation software programs;
• Public relations principles;
• Safe working practices and procedures;
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.

Ability to:

• Effectively plan and organize work for self and others;
• Operate a variety of office equipment, such as computers and applicable hardware and software, calculators, copiers, printers, telephones, and fax machines;
• Resolve public relations problems effectively;
• Supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff;
• Direct and motivate employees;
• Provide information and assistance to parents, the general public and other staff members in a helpful, courteous and timely manner;
• Maintain confidentiality of information obtained during the course of work;
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships;
• Work independently with limited supervision;
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action;
• Plan and organize work to meet schedules and timelines in an environment with constantly changing priorities;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Follow good health and safety principles and practices.

Traits:

• Appreciates the differences among people;
• Diligently attends to details and quality;
• Easily adapts to situations and changes;
• Is punctual and follows through;
• Is trustworthy and responsible for his/her actions;
• Logically grasps and thinks through issues and problems;
• Promotes goals and leads by example;
• Puts safety first for self and others;
• Remains steady under pressure;
• Stays focused and has good work ethic;
• Strives to meet customers’ needs;
• Works around obstacles and is self-starting.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Education: Graduation from high school or equivalency. College level coursework in business administration, public administration, or transportation is desirable.

Experience: Five years of experience in transportation services including experience in the development and coordination of bus routes and schedules.  At least two years of the aforementioned experience must have been in a supervisory or lead capacity.

Special: Possession of a valid Class A or B, California Commercial Driver License with Passenger, School Bus, and Air Brake Endorsements, a current DL-51a Medical Examiner’s Certificate, a California Special Driver Certificate designated for School Bus (with no restrictions for Air Brakes and/or Conventional Type-II buses only) issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, and if applicable, a valid first aid certificate comparable to the American Red Cross Standard First Aid Certificate.

Ability to be insured, and continue to be insurable, by the District’s liability insurance carrier.

The special requirements listed above this point may be waived if the employee is able to show evidence of meeting the requirements in the past and has previously been employed by a California school district or other employer in a position requiring the employee to meet the above requirements.

All licenses, certificates, and other requirements listed above are required at the time of employment and must be maintained during the course of employment unless otherwise noted.

This classification has been designated as safety-sensitive in accordance with the drug and alcohol testing requirements adopted by the District pursuant to Board Policy 4312.42.

Physical Requirements: Employees in this classification stand, walk, sit, lift/carry up to 50 lbs., use wrists or hands repetitively, use both hands, arms, feet, and legs simultaneously, stoop/bend, reach overhead, push/pull, have dexterity of fingers/hands and muscular coordination, have color vision or the ability to distinguish shades, speak clearly, hear normal conversation, and see small details and for long distances.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Employees in this classification work both inside and outside, in changing temperatures, in confined spaces, with moving vehicles, in contact with fumes, allergenic dust, odors, toxic materials, and loud noises, in direct contact with the public, students, and District personnel, and may operate a motor vehicle in order to conduct work.

APPOINTMENT: In accordance with Education Code Section 45301, an employee appointed to this class must serve a probationary period of one (1) year during which time an employee must demonstrate at least an overall satisfactory performance in order to attain permanent status in the classified service.

Approved: 2/15