Assistant Director of Transportation Operations - (Immediate Opening)

Description Role Mission: The Assistant Director of Transportation Operations (ADO) is to drive results for the goals set forth for our program while increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of all our Transportation Operations in the district.
This role reports to the Transportation Director of Operations and ensures Regional Transportation Managers effectively align, implement, and adhere to the Transportation policies, laws, and regulations set forth by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and state agencies.
Other responsibilities include but are not limited to overseeing the regional manager’s performance and professional development while ensuring safety, compliance, and financial targets are met for their respective regions and implementing corrective measures as needed, regular physical on-site assessment of campus transportation operations, collaborating with developing professional development material for campus transportation staff to bridge gaps in maintaining compliance, streamlining processes, collaborating with other headquarters teams to ensure the alignment with IDEA’s Transportation Handbook as well as Federal, State and Local laws and regulations.
Location: The Assistant Director of Transportation Operations must currently live in or be willing to relocate to Texas.
What We Offer Compensation: Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $73,955 and $90,225, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity.
This role is also eligible for a performance bonus based on organizational performance and goal attainment.
Other Benefits: We offer a comprehensive benefits plan, covering the majority of the employee premium for the base medical plan and subsidizing the majority of costs for a spouse/domestic partner and children.
Some of the special benefits we offer at IDEA include: Paid Family Leave: Eligible staff may receive up to 8 weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, based on their tenure with the organization and caregiver designation.
Tuition Reimbursement: Staff members may apply for up to 50% of tuition paid toward a qualifying degree program, up to $5,250 maximum per year subject to manager discretion and budget availability.
Employer-Paid Mental/Behavioral Health: 5 face-to-face counseling sessions within a year, unlimited 24/7 telephonic counseling, and other work-life services available at no cost.
Other benefits include dental and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, generous vacation time, referral bonuses and professional development.
IDEA may offer a relocation allowance to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.
In this role, you will: Assists in providing leadership and model a customer-focused operation that prioritizes the needs of students, families, and staff.
Assists in the preparation of detailed reports and analyses for the Board of Directors, Superintendent, Chief Operating Officer, and other organizational leaders.
Respond to significant vehicle crashes and other significant emergencies.
Assists with leadership and management of inclement weather.
Assists the director in the development and implementation of safety improvement and programs.
Represent the department at state and national student transportation functions as needed.
Assists with the design of school sites during new construction, renovation, or safe access to school projects.
Assists the Director in the development of and implementation of a fleet maintenance plan for diesel and electric school buses.
Assists the director in maintaining all district-owned equipment and the development of plans for preventive maintenance.
Identify gaps in knowledge and/or training related to improving safety performance.
Deliver additional training as needed, and/or collaborate with the training manager to develop or improve existing trainings.
Implement and enhance marketing strategies to reach out to IDEA families.
Ensure campuses in designated regions are publishing schedules designed to minimize or eliminate overtime (OT).
Track OT data at least biweekly.
Support Regional Managers to identify and address root causes behind OT.
Coordinate with the Finance Director to effectively monitor and identify budget deviations and provide real-time information and course corrective measures on Transportation costs in each region/campus.
Develop and deliver professional development training for regional managers and campus staff that bridges gaps in safety, compliance, and routing efficiency.
Lead the onboarding of managers in training program and manager pipeline program.
Review departmental job satisfaction survey results and develop a strategy for continuous improvement.
Develop departmental policies and procedures, with operational context, that align with IDEA’s Human Resources and DOT compliance.
Conduct regular on-site assessments of transportation operations with a focus on identifying best practices and or gaps in performance.
Develop and update projects in Wrike (or other project management tools) to track timelines and accuracy of projects.
Cascade and ensure timely and accurate implementation of BOY plans and tools in each region with transportation services.
Track implementation of BOY readiness plans and coach where necessary.
Work with both HQ and campus teams to demonstrate continuous improvement in the areas of program compliance, pilots, projects, initiatives, and priorities.
Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.
Required Experience and Certifications: Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and/or Administration or related.
Experience: 5+ years in a leadership role(s) within school bus transportation or related transportation industry, oversight of multiple units across several regions.
Licenses or Certifications (Preferred): Certified Texas Pupil Transportation Administrator (CTPTA) or Certified Texas Pupil Transportation Official (CTPTO).
Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Ability to lead, motivate, and develop a diverse group of individuals across multiple regions.
Strong computer literacy that includes an understanding of Microsoft Office Suite (i.
e.
, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Strong mathematical skills and the ability to understand and interpret data (charts, graphs, etc.
).
Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills.
Demonstrate problem-solving, adaptability, and flexibility; can reprioritize workload due to inclement weather, schedule changes, and any other potential setback Can work independently with little direction.
Can handle stress well to meet time-sensitive deliverables.
Able to work prolonged and irregular hours, especially in the months leading to our first day of school.
Able to travel approximately 30% of the work week.
Individual Goals: As the leader, you will be responsible for setting a strategy that guides the team to reach the following ambitious goals: District meets budgeted Cost Per Mile/Cost Per Rider goal by June 30th.
District achieves 85% retention of Transportation staff by June 30th.
District achieves a 15% increase in preventable collision-free miles from the previous school year by June 30th.
100% of campuses offering transportation will scan 95% of their student transportation ridership throughout the school year.
100% of TMs are hired and onboarded by or before Spring Break.
TAMs and Drivers are hired and onboarded on or before May 1st.
Our core values are: We Act with Integrity: We put the best interests of the IDEA Team & Family—and most importantly, our students—at the forefront of all our decisions and actions, taking personal responsibility to model the honest and ethical behavior we want our students and each other to demonstrate every day.
We Build Team & Family: We foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity by treating every member of the IDEA Team & Family—our students, staff, families, and community—with compassion, respect, and humility.
We maximize our individual best efforts through collaboration and support of each other in the focused pursuit of our collective mission.
We Achieve Academic Excellence: We believe ensuring college success for 100% of our students is the best way to help them succeed in life and in seeing obstacles they face as opportunities for learning and growth.
Every member of the IDEA Team & Family works together to ensure each student on every campus and in every classroom receives a high-quality education.
We Deliver Results: We set ambitious goals, hold ourselves and each other accountable for achieving results, and believe that our students will succeed to and through college.
Our results show what’s possible when the adults in the system get it right and represent the collective effort and focus of the entire IDEA Team & Family.
We Ensure Equity: We set high expectations and share compassion and empathy for every member of the IDEA Team & Family.
We differentiate our support and resources, proactively address racism and discrimination, and advocate alongside our students and staff to empower them with the opportunities to succeed and ensure the respect they deserve.
We Bring Joy: We create a positive, uplifting, and joyful environment for every member of the IDEA Team & Family, every single day.
We operate with a sense of optimism, and our traditions celebrate learning, growth, and the accomplishments of our students, staff, and community.
We Sweat the Small Stuff: We embrace that achieving excellence lies in paying attention to and carrying out the details—the ‘small stuff’—that go into effective execution and positive implementation.
Every step of the way, the IDEA Team & Family prioritizes actions contributing to our mission of College for All.
About IDEA Public Schools At IDEA Public Schools, we believe each and every child can go to college.
Since 2000, IDEA Public Schools has grown from a small school with 150 students to a multi-state network of tuition-free, Pre-K-12 public charter schools.
IDEA Public Schools boasts national rankings on The Washington Post and U.
S.
News & World Report’s top high schools lists.
IDEA serves over 80,000 college-bound students in 143 schools across Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Ohio, and is on-track to maintain its legacy of sending 100% of its graduates to college.
When you choose to work at IDEA, you are part of our IDEA Team and Family.
You will work alongside team members who set and reach ambitious goals every day, are excited to continue to grow with IDEA, and work relentlessly to make college for all a reality.
At IDEA the Staff Culture and Belonging Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members.
Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here: https://ideapublicschools.
org/our-story/#core-values To Apply Please submit your application online through Jobvite.
It’s in your best interest to apply as soon as possible.