Paratransit Operations Manager

First for a reason:

At First Student, we are a family of 60,000 employees who take pride in safely transporting more than 5 million students and passengers to and from their destinations each day! Our family of brands include Transco, Total Transportation, Maggies Paratransit, and GVC II. Our employees are at the forefront of safety and innovation; they create and implement the most advanced training and technology the transportation industry has to offer.

About the Position
We are seeking a Transportation Operations Manager to join our team in Hasbrouck Heights. In this role, you will play a critical part in overseeing daily operations, ensuring employee performance, maintaining compliance, and enhancing service efficiency. You’ll work closely with the General Manager and Assistant General Manager to support essential functions such as dispatch, payroll, scheduling, and overall operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide first-line supervision of employees, ensuring company policies and procedures are followed.
• Assist in the day-to-day operational oversight, including driver management, location safety program, billing, payroll, routing/scheduling, dispatching, compliance with DOT, accounts receivable/payable, and employee recruitment and hiring.
• Ensure drivers have the necessary equipment to complete their daily duties. Coordinate vehicle assignments and dispatching while ensuring all vehicles meet safety standards and pre/post-trip inspection requirements.
• Support dispatching, in-service monitoring, and daily transit operations, serving as a backup for the Dispatch or Scheduling team when needed.
• Analyze trip patterns and develop staffing plans for Dispatchers and Operators, recommending run structure adjustments for efficiency.
• Create and update procedure manuals for operational teams, holding regular meetings to address service issues and communicate important updates.
• Track and manage employee attendance, process vacation requests, and ensure proper uniform distribution.
• Monitor and evaluate key performance metrics, including on-time performance, unscheduled trips, complaints, missed runs, cost efficiency, work/pay hours, customer feedback, accident reports, and maintenance data to drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications & Skills

• High school diploma or equivalent required; additional education preferred.
• 3-5 years of transportation industry experience required.
• 2-3 years of supervisory experience within transportation preferred.
• 3 years of Trapeze Pass experience required.
• Strong background in operations and detailed reporting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and operational software.
• Ability to prioritize tasks effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to interact with drivers, customers, senior management, union officials, and public representatives.
• Willingness to work extended hours, including weekends and holidays, as needed.
• DOT drug testing compliance required; DOT Regulation 49 CFR Part 40 prohibits the use of Schedule I drugs, including marijuana, for any reason.

Why Join Us?

We take pride in delivering safe, efficient, and reliable transportation services. If you're an experienced operations professional with strong leadership skills and a passion for excellence, we encourage you to apply!

First for a Reason

Benefits

We offer competitive compensation and benefits (which vary based on role, location, and business), including physical and mental health initiatives, medical/dental/vision, 401(k), and paid holiday/vacation.

Professional Advancement

Start here. Go far. We believe in promoting from within which means tremendous opportunities for you, thanks to our strong presence across North America. In addition, our Manager in Development (MID) program prepares future leaders at MPC Bus Corp and First Student.

Extensive Training

Build skills and knowledge in such areas as safety and security, injury prevention, technology and equipment, and job efficiency.

Diversity & Inclusion

Because we’re stronger together, we aspire to have a culture where all people are First. We’re committed to providing an inclusive and diverse working environment for everyone every day.

Community Service & Impact

Go where opportunity meets community. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do. As the face of MPC Bus Corp in your community, you’ll have a positive impact on others.

Apply today and get your career on the road with MPC Bus Corp!

In the state of Washington, all technician and driving positions, including but not limited to van drivers and any other position requiring employees to drive a company-owned vehicle, are considered safety-sensitive and are therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing, including cannabis.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. First is also committed to providing a drug-free workplace. First will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, and any other fair chance law. Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance Poster is at this link or upon request https://www.phila.gov/media/20210423160847/Fair-Chance-Hiring-law-poster.pdf.