Area Manager, Student Transportation

ABOUT US

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is one of the leading school systems in Maryland and the nation. To learn more about us and our 2024 -2029 Strategic Plan, please visit our website and our careers page. Join our award-winning workforce and make a difference in the lives of our students!

ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Before you begin, please read the job posting below carefully including the Application Requirements specific to this position. Be sure your application reflects experience and education required to meet the minimum and any preferred qualifications listed. Our application guide includes detailed instructions to assist you. Once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes.

Please note that application submission will be available only through 11:59 PM on the date prior to the indicated end date. If no end date is indicated, the posting will remain open indefinitely.

Job Posting End Date:

Reminder: Current permanent and temporary employees must apply through the Jobs Hub in Workday, not the external career site.

DESCRIPTION 

Under the direction of the Director of Student Transportation, the Area Manager, Student Transportation assists in the planning, directing, and supervision of transportation activities and school bus operations.  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

A combination of education and experience may be considered. 

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. 

Experience: 

• Six (6) years of experience in transportation, school administration, planning, logistics, or service delivery operations. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

The ideal candidate for this role will also possess a combination of the additional qualifications below. If you don’t meet every one of the preferred qualifications, we still encourage you to apply, as we welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences. 

• Three (3) years of experience managing student transportation logistics in a PreK-12 or college/university setting.
• Five (5) years of experience with progressive responsibility managing logistics operations involving multiple stakeholders. 

• Two (2) years of experience in a government, non-profit, or similar setting, responding to and resolving customer and stakeholder inquiries and challenges, in addition to managing communications and engagement. 

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES 

The list below is a summary of the functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. 

• Routes, schedules, and supervises contract school bus operations for school system transportation programs. 

• Continuously analyzes bus routes and bus stops for safety and efficiency. Continuously reviews non-transported areas for safety. 

• Supervises the daily operations of school bus service. 

• Works with school-based and central office administration in addressing student transportation concerns. 

• Addresses parent and community concerns relative to transportation services and traffic safety. 

• Assists and collaborates in areas such as preparing transportation impacts on school redistricting, assigning areas of responsibility, performance review of bus contractors, and checking road conditions in winter months. 

• Attends internal and external stakeholder meetings with HCPSS schools and offices, State Highway Administration, Howard County Bureau of Highways, Howard County Police Department, and other agencies. 

• Audits documentation associated with the monthly school bus contractors’ invoices. 

• Assists with the supervision, development, and presentation of school bus driver/attendant certification and annual safety programs. 

• Assists with the inspection of school buses on a scheduled and unscheduled basis. 

• Utilizes technology to monitor and audit performance of drivers and attendants. 

• Maintains continuing familiarity with the county and its growth, requiring constant review of all existing communities, new communities, and new roads that affect school bus routes and non-transported areas through on-the-road observations and from information received from the Office of School Planning. 

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

The below list is a summary of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for success in this position, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list.  

• Demonstrated management and leadership ability. 

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 

• Strong attention to detail. 

• Effective organizational skills. 

• Strong time management skills. 

• Ability to multi-task and work under pressure. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS  

Licensure  

• Possession of a Maryland Class C driver’s license and satisfactory driving record. Prior to any employment offer, the selected candidate will need to provide a copy of their license and consent to a review of their driving record.  

Working Hours 

• This position is classified as “essential” and requires the ability to be on call and respond to calls 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Individuals in this position are issued an HCPSS mobile phone for these purposes. Accepting this position would require that you meet these requirements during your tenure with HCPSS. 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS 

Complete applications must be submitted, and once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.  
 
Supplemental Application Questions 

This position requires applicants to provide responses to the supplemental application questions below to determine whether you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications. Please upload your responses in a separate file to the supplemental application questions section of the application. 

1) Please describe any experience you possess managing student transportation logistics in a PreK-12 or college/university setting. Please include your specific role and responsibilities as well as the scope of transportation operations (e.g., number of students served, number of buses/vehicles, etc.). 

2) Please describe any experience you possess with progressive responsibility for managing logistics operations involving multiple stakeholders. Please indicate the scope of logistics operations you managed and provide examples of the stakeholders with whom you worked. 

3) Please describe any experience you possess in a government, non-profit or similar setting, responding to and resolving customer and stakeholder inquiries and challenges, in addition to managing communications and engagement. Please identify your primary customers and stakeholders and the types of inquiries and challenges you typically address.  

SELECTION CRITERIA 

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be included in further evaluation. Interviews will be limited to those applicants who, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, have experience and education which most closely match the position qualifications and the needs of the school system.  

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION 

Compensation 

This is a 12-month per year position in the Howard County Association of Supervisors and Administrators-Administrators, Non-Certificated Supervisors (HCASA-NCS) employee unit. The current salary range for this position is in the Grade III lane on the Non-Certificated Supervisors salary scale. Actual placement will be in accordance with the salary procedures of the Howard County Public School System and the HCASA-NCS Master Agreement which considers relevant prior experience. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position is exempt from overtime.  

Retirement 

Membership in the Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA) pension plan is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in the State Personnel and Pensions Article and the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR). A qualifying employee cannot reject membership, nor can an ineligible employee elect membership. The annual contribution to the pension plan will be 7% of an employee’s annual salary.  

Benefits 

HCPSS offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees. Information about additional benefits such as paid time off can be found in the negotiated agreement for employees in this bargaining unit. 

Pre-Employment Requirements 

Professional references will be contacted prior to any offer of employment. Recommended candidates will be required to provide references from current and recent supervisors. 

All employees, regular and temporary, must be fingerprinted, have a criminal background investigation completed, and successfully complete the Maryland Employment History Review, pursuant to Section 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. In addition, some positions will require completion of a physical examination and/or drug testing. 

Anyone offered employment is required to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the United States. HCPSS participates in E-Verify and does not offer employee sponsorship. 

For questions regarding this posting, please contact Julia Bialeski at julia_bialeski@hcpss.org.  

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

To request an accommodation during the application or interview process due to a documented disability, please email humanresources@hcpss.org.

HCPSS celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any kind. HCPSS is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees in providing them with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at HCPSS are based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability,  sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, veteran status or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.