Safety Manager

Zūm is a rapidly expanding Series E startup backed by industry leaders Sequoia Capital, Soft Bank, Spark Capital, and GIC, with a bold mission to transform the stagnant school transportation industry. Operating in over 15 states across the United States— flagship hubs in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle—we are actively extending our reach to the East Coast and Midwest regions.

As a technology‑driven company, we deploy cutting‑edge solutions to manage and operate school district transportation systems while also launching our own charter platform and developing proprietary SaaS offerings. Additionally, we are spearheading a nationwide initiative to electrify school transportation fleets, simultaneously supporting local utilities by feeding much‑needed energy back into the grid. We have been recognized as CNBC 50 disruptor, Financial Times 500 fastest growing companies, Fast Company World Changing Ideas.

We're seeking an experienced Safety Manager to lead safety operations at our Yonker, NY location. This role encompasses the complete safety lifecycle—from program development and training implementation to incident management and regulatory compliance. You'll build a culture of behavioral safety, manage safety department staff, and establish best‑in‑class safety standards that protect employees, students, and the communities we serve. You'll be the guardian of our most important value, ensuring every person arrives home safely every day.

You're a passionate safety advocate with a commitment to zero incidents. You balance proactive prevention with responsive incident management in dynamic transportation environments. You make safety training engaging and memorable, turning compliance requirements into genuine behavior change. You analyze incident data, conduct field observations with drivers, present safety metrics to district administrators, and investigate accident scenes with equal confidence. You interpret regulations, influence behavior through clear communication, and build a culture where safety is everyone's responsibility.

• Lead safety meetings, toolbox talks, and yard walkthroughs to reinforce safe practices across all roles
• Proactively identify hazards, document findings, and track corrective actions to closure
• Track location‑level safety metrics and report trends to the Location Manager

• Serve as the on‑site lead for all incidents and accidents; execute post‑accident procedures correctly and within required time frames
• Conduct root cause investigations and administer DOT‑mandated post‑accident drug and alcohol testing (49 CFR Part 382.303)
• Coordinate scene documentation and file complete, accurate claims in the insurance platform (ESIS)
• Submit regulatory reports within required time frames (FMCSA, state DOE, and other applicable agencies)

• Maintain current credentials for all drivers and attendants: CDL, Non‑CDL, school bus permits, DOT physicals, state endorsements, and bus attendant certifications—zero lapses
• Maintain compliant Driver Qualification (DQ) files per FMCSA 49 CFR Part 391
• Administer the DOT random drug and alcohol testing program (49 CFR Part 382), including pool enrollment, testing logistics, violation management, and return‑to‑duty coordination

• Oversee the Driver Trainer to ensure training programs—new hire onboarding, BTW, route qualification, and refresher—meet regulatory and Zūm standards
• Manage the full Non‑CDL to school bus driver certification pathway at the location
• Maintain training completion records, proficiency evaluations, and corrective training logs; audit‑ready at all times

• Zero lapsed credentials across all drivers and attendants
• All incidents investigated, documented, and reported within regulatory time frames
• Drug and alcohol program administered with zero procedural gaps
• DQ files and training records complete and audit‑ready
• Workforce is genuinely capable—not just credentialed
• Safety culture is visible, consistent, and proactive

Workin…