Director of Transportation in San Diego, California at Francis Parker School

About Francis Parker School:

Parker is a coeducational independent day school in San Diego, California, with 1,330 students in Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12. Founded in 1912, the school’s mission is “to create and inspire a diverse community of independent thinkers whose academic excellence, global perspective, and strength of character prepare them to make a meaningful difference in the world.” Parker has two campuses: one in Mission Hills (Lower School, Junior Kindergarten - Grade 5) and a second in Linda Vista (Middle and Upper School, Grades 6 - 12).

Job Description:

The Director of Transportation provides strategic and operational leadership for Parker’s student transportation program and fleet of approximately 14 buses and 8 passenger vans. The Director is responsible for ensuring that all transportation services are safe, dependable, efficient, compliant, and responsive to the needs of students, families, faculty, and school programs.

The Director of Transportation oversees daily transportation operations, including home-to-school services, athletics, and field trips; driver staffing and training; vehicle maintenance; regulatory compliance; transportation scheduling; fleet replacement planning; and emergency response preparedness. The Director of Transportation works closely with Parker leadership, division administrators, athletics, summer and extended-day programs, security, and other departments to ensure that transportation supports Parker’s educational mission.

The successful candidate will combine strong organizational and supervisory skills with a highly visible, service-oriented approach and a deep commitment to student safety.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Transportation Operations

• Direct Parker’s daily transportation operations for approximately 14 buses and 8 vans.
• Develop, maintain, and optimize student transportation routes and schedules.
• Coordinate morning, afternoon, athletic, field trip, summer, and special event transportation.
• Ensure buses and vans are available, properly staffed, and maintained according to established schedules.
• Monitor transportation operations and respond promptly to delays, breakdowns, route changes, weather events, and other disruptions.
• Establish procedures for student loading, unloading, supervision, bus stops, field trips, and transportation-related emergencies.
• Coordinate transportation needs with the three academic divisions, athletics, and summer and extended day programs.
• Maintain effective communication with families regarding transportation schedules, procedures, changes, and significant service interruptions.

Student Safety

• Make student safety the highest priority in all transportation decisions and practices.
• Establish and enforce comprehensive transportation safety procedures.
• Ensure appropriate supervision and accountability of students while boarding, riding, and exiting vehicles.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive transportation safety plan, including procedures for emergencies (e.g., evacuations).
• Conduct or coordinate regular safety inspections, drills, and training.
• Investigate transportation-related accidents, incidents, complaints, and safety concerns and recommend corrective actions.
• Maintain appropriate records and documentation of accidents, incidents, inspections, training, and corrective actions.
• Partner with security and risk management personnel on transportation security.

Driver Management and Training

• Recruit, interview, hire, onboard, supervise, and evaluate transportation personnel.
• Establish driver qualification and onboarding procedures.
• Verify required licenses, certifications, medical clearances, driving records, and other qualifications.
• Maintain accurate records of driver credentials, training, certifications, and other compliance requirements.
• Develop and administer ongoing driver training and professional development programs.
• Monitor driver performance, attendance, safety practices, and adherence to Parker policies.
• Establish clear expectations for professional conduct, student interactions, appearance, vehicle cleanliness, and customer service.
• Develop staffing plans and contingency coverage for absences, vacations, field trips, and other operational needs.
• Address performance and disciplinary matters in accordance with Parker policies and Human Resources guidance.

Fleet Management and Maintenance

• Oversee Parker’s in-house mechanic to ensure that the buses and vans are maintained according to the highest safety and reliability standards.
• Establish preventive maintenance schedules based on manufacturer recommendations, regulatory requirements, mileage, vehicle age, and operating conditions.
• Coordinate inspections, repairs, preventative maintenance, registration, and required certifications.
• Maintain accurate vehicle maintenance and inspection records.
• Develop procedures for daily vehicle inspections and prompt reporting of mechanical issues.
• Establish and maintain business relationships with qualified bus suppliers, repair facilities, vendors, and other service providers.
• Monitor vehicle downtime and develop contingency plans for transportation disruptions.
• Maintain appropriate standards for vehicle cleanliness, appearance, accessibility, and passenger comfort.
• Develop and maintain a long-term fleet replacement plan based on age, mileage, condition, reliability, safety, operating costs, and anticipated transportation needs.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure transportation operations comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, licensing requirements, and Parker policies.
• Maintain required transportation records and documentation.
• Monitor changes in transportation laws and regulations and recommend policy or operational changes as appropriate.
• Coordinate required inspections, registrations, permits, certifications, and reporting.
• Work closely with Parker leadership regarding safety, liability, and compliance matters.
• Ensure appropriate procedures are in place for transportation accidents and insurance claims.
• Participate in Parker’s emergency preparedness and business continuity planning.

Scheduling, Systems, and Administration

• Manage Parker’s transportation calendar and vehicle scheduling system.
• Establish processes that minimize scheduling conflicts and maximize efficient use of the fleet.
• Maintain accurate transportation databases, route information, vehicle records, driver records, and student transportation information.
• Utilize routing, fleet management, GPS, communications, and other technology to improve safety, efficiency, and service.
• Develop operating procedures and documentation for transportation services.
• Prepare reports for Parker leadership regarding fleet condition, safety, staffing, utilization, incidents, and operational performance.

Budget and Financial Management

• Develop and manage the annual transportation operating budget.
• Monitor expenditures for fuel, maintenance, repairs, parts, insurance, training, licensing, equipment, and contracted services.
• Review transportation costs and identify opportunities for operational efficiencies without compromising safety or service.
• Develop capital requests and long-range financial plans for vehicle replacement and transportation-related equipment.
• Solicit and evaluate bids and proposals from transportation vendors and service providers in accordance with Parker's purchasing policies.
• Maintain appropriate controls for fuel, parts, supplies, and transportation equipment.

Communication and Customer Service

• Serve as the primary point of contact for transportation operations.
• Establish a high standard of customer service for students, parents, faculty, and staff.
• Communicate proactively regarding route changes, delays, cancellations, vehicle issues, and other transportation matters.
• Respond professionally and promptly to transportation-related questions and concerns.
• Build strong working relationships with Parker administrators, faculty, staff, families, students, and external service providers.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, operations management, logistics, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5 or more years of experience managing a transportation operation, or a comparable safety-sensitive operation.
• Experience managing transportation operations at an independent school, public school, college, university, camp, or other educational environment preferred.
• Proven history of successfully supervising and developing employees.
• Commercial Driver License (CDL) with applicable passenger and school-bus endorsements.
• Experience with GPS-based fleet tracking and transportation routing software.
• Familiarity with California student transportation regulations and school transportation requirements.
• Strong knowledge of fleet maintenance, vehicle safety, scheduling, and other transportation operations.
• Experience developing fleet replacement and capital improvement plans preferred.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Uncompromising commitment to student safety and service.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment in emergency and time-sensitive situations.
• Proficiency with office applications (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Suite) and transportation/fleet management technology.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Safety leadership: An uncompromising commitment to student and employee safety.
• Operational excellence: Ability to develop systems that produce reliable, efficient transportation services.
• Leadership: Ability to recruit, develop, motivate, and hold employees accountable.
• Judgment: Ability to make sound decisions under pressure and respond effectively to emergencies.
• Communication: Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Organization: Exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage complex schedules and competing priorities.
• Technology: Ability to effectively use routing, GPS, fleet-management, scheduling, and administrative systems.
• Customer service: A collaborative and service-oriented approach to students, families, and colleagues.
• Financial management: Ability to manage budgets and evaluate operating and capital costs.
• Continuous improvement: Willingness to evaluate transportation operations and implement improvements in safety, efficiency, and service.

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

The position requires the ability to:

• Regularly walk through parking areas, transportation facilities, and vehicle staging areas.
• Inspect buses and vans and enter/exit vehicles, as necessary.
• Work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Respond to transportation incidents and emergencies outside normal business hours when necessary.
• Work early mornings, evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays based on Parker’s transportation requirements and special events.
• Occasionally lift, carry, or move transportation-related equipment and supplies.
• Maintain a professional and calm demeanor during high-pressure situations.

Salary and Benefits:

Parker is committed to attracting and retaining the highest-quality faculty and staff through a substantial compensation plan, including competitive salary, TIAA retirement benefits, and full medical/dental coverage.

Salary Range: $115,000 - $125,000 per year, based on experience.

Non-Discrimination:

Francis Parker School values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty, and staff from different backgrounds. All employment decisions are made without regard to unlawful considerations of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.

Application Process:

To be considered, interested candidates must submit the following:

• Online employment application.
• Cover Letter
• Resume

Your application will be considered incomplete if you do not include all required information, including completion of the Employment History, Education, and References sections of the online application, required attachments, and responses to all application questions.