The Route Supervisor is responsible for overseeing and coordinating daily school transportation operations to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable service.
Working closely with the Location Manager, dispatch team, drivers, and maintenance staff, the Route Supervisor ensures routes are properly assigned, schedules are maintained, and operational issues are resolved promptly.
This position also plays a key role in supporting driver performance, maintaining safety and compliance standards, and delivering excellent customer service. The Route Supervisor provides hands-on coaching, promotes teamwork, and supports continuous improvements in daily operations.
Key Responsibilities
Route Operations & Dispatch
- Supervise daily transportation operations, ensuring routes are completed safely, efficiently, and on schedule.
- Coordinate with dispatch to manage route assignments, vehicle availability, and driver coverage.
- Monitor daily route performance and address operational challenges or service disruptions.
- Collaborate with driver supervisors, administrative personnel, and maintenance teams to ensure smooth operations.
- Respond to driver concerns and resolve transportation-related issues promptly.
- Maintain effective communication with customers, transportation authorities, and other stakeholders.
Driver Supervision & Team Development
- Provide guidance, coaching, and ongoing support to drivers and operational employees.
- Promote a positive work environment through training, constructive feedback, and leading by example.
- Assist with interviewing, selecting, and onboarding new drivers.
- Support employee training, development, and performance improvement.
- Assist the Location Manager with employee relations and workforce planning.
Safety & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with company policies, safety procedures, and applicable transportation regulations.
- Promote safe driving practices and a strong safety culture.
- Participate in the Joint Health and Safety Committee.
- Assist with accident investigations, incident reporting, and WSIB-related documentation.
- Ensure compliance with Ontario transportation legislation and CVOR requirements.
Administrative & Operational Support
- Assist with route planning, scheduling, and operational reporting.
- Support budget preparation and operational cost management.
- Prepare monthly operational reports, including fuel usage, payroll, and other key performance measures.
- Coordinate off-site vehicle parking arrangements and maintain accurate records.
- Support fuel card administration and vehicle maintenance coordination.
- Assist with implementing company policies, procedures, and operational initiatives.
- Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.
Qualifications
- College diploma or university degree preferred.
- 1–3 years of supervisory or management experience, preferably in school bus transportation or a related industry.
- Strong understanding of transportation operations, route scheduling, and dispatch procedures.
- Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and customer service abilities.
- Knowledge of applicable transportation safety regulations and Ontario's Highway Traffic Act.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and general computer systems.
- Basic knowledge of vehicle maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Appropriate driver's licence(s), as required for the position.
Work Environment
This position operates in both an office and bus yard environment. Occasional travel to customer locations and other operational sites may be required.
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.
