Director of Transportation

Director of Transportation

Seeking a Director of Transportation for the School City of Hobart. Position is available immediately. The Director of Transportation provides leadership and oversight for all district transportation services and fleet/vehicle maintenance operations. As a member of the district administrative team, this position is responsible for ensuring safe, reliable, efficient, and cost-effective transportation for students; leading transportation personnel and daily operations; maintaining regulatory compliance;

and using data, technology, and continuous improvement practices to support district priorities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Direct and manage district transportation services, including regular routes, special programs, extracurricular trips, and other assigned transportation needs.
• Plan, develop, and maintain routes, stops, schedules, and trip assignments; analyze ridership, route times, staffing, and other operational data to improve service efficiency and reliability.
• Oversee daily dispatch and transportation operations, including staffing coverage, substitute assignments, route delays, service disruptions, and coordination with schools and families.
• Supervise, coach, and evaluate transportation employees; support recruitment, onboarding, training, certification, performance management, and retention of a qualified transportation workforce.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with applicable federal and state requirements, Board policy, district procedures, DOT/FMCSA requirements, inspection standards, and driver qualification and testing requirements, as applicable.
• Oversee fleet safety and operational readiness, including inspections, preventive maintenance, defect reporting, repairs, warranties, vehicle replacement planning, and related records.
• Develop and administer the transportation budget; monitor expenditures and operational resources; and identify opportunities to control costs while maintaining safety and service quality.
• Use routing, dispatch, GPS/fleet tracking, maintenance management, and reporting systems to strengthen efficiency, accountability, and operational decision-making.
• Lead transportation-related emergency and incident response, including accidents, breakdowns, severe weather, and other service interruptions, and ensure appropriate communication, documentation, and follow-up.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with students, families, school administrators, staff, vendors, and community partners regarding transportation services, safety concerns, operational changes, and student needs.

Qualifications:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform the essential functions of the position.

Minimum Requirements:

• Valid Indiana driver's license and ability to maintain insurability for district driving, as applicable.
• Knowledge of student transportation operations, safety practices, fleet operations, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and supervise employees, manage multiple operational priorities, solve problems, and respond effectively to time-sensitive situations.
• Ability to analyze transportation, fleet, staffing, and budget information and use data to support operational decisions.
• Ability to use transportation-related technology, including routing, GPS/fleet tracking, dispatch, maintenance management, and related systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to establish cooperative working relationships with employees, school personnel, families, vendors, and community partners.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Five (5) years of progressive experience in transportation operations, fleet management, and/or school transportation, including supervisory experience.
• Experience with school transportation routing and dispatch operations, special needs transportation coordination, and incident response.

Terms of Employment:

Salary and benefits as defined by the School City of Hobart and established by the Board of School Trustees. Work schedule may include early mornings, evenings, and irregular or extended days. After-hours availability may be required to respond to emergencies, vehicle incidents, weather-related disruptions, and other transportation needs.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, and hear; work at a computer; and travel between district sites, bus yards, and school locations. The employee is periodically required to work in and around buses and other vehicles, enter and exit vehicles, and perform visual inspections. The employee may occasionally be required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and to bend, stoop, kneel, or reach.

Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The employee works in both office and transportation operational settings, including bus…