Senior Planner (Student Transportation) - Permanent

Elk Island Public Schools; Sherwood Park; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Elk Island Public Schools is seeking a Senior Planner for the Student Transportation department in Sherwood Park. The role focuses on safe, efficient student transport, route optimization, and technology systems management to support operations and budgeting.

The Senior Planner will design bus routes, monitor performance, collaborate with school staff, and provide guidance for emergent situations while ensuring compliance with Alberta regulations and division policies.

Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in a related field or equivalent experience.
• Three to five years of related experience.
• Emergency First Aid Certification.
• Class 2 Driver's License with S-Endorsement or willingness to obtain through Elk Island Public Schools.

Responsibilities

• Design and schedule bus routes using routing software.
• Ensure routing complies with legislation, safety standards, and procedures while optimizing cost.
• Monitor route performance and student scanning using routing software.
• Train and coach staff in routing system software and troubleshooting.
• Oversee bus transfer site operations, scheduling, safety, and supervision.

Skills

Logistics planning

Data analysis

Stakeholder communication

Emergency response

Education

Degree or Diploma in a related field or equivalent experience

Tools

VersaTrans Onscreen

Routing software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) is one of the largest school divisions in Alberta, serving the education needs of approximately 17,750 students in 43 schools. Every day, the staff and students of EIPS are encouraged to pursue opportunities to grow and discover their passions in life. We pride ourselves on providing staff and students with the tools to achieve success by offering dynamic programming, current resources, and practical professional learning opportunities.

EIPS is recruiting a full-time Senior Planne r with our Student Transportation department.

Our Student Transportation department transports over 9,000 students, operates 163 buses, and over 500 bus routes on a daily basis. Students are transported directly or through transfer sites throughout the school division. The Student Transportation department is located at Elk Island Public Schools Central Services building in Sherwood Park, at 683 Wye Road. Providing services for the Division, Central Services is comprised of eight departments, in addition to the Board of Trustees. The departments include Education Executive, Communication Services, Facility Services, Student Transportation, Human Resources, Financial Services, Supports for Students and Information Technologies. Central Services is staffed by 190 employees.

• Commencing November 16, 2026
• 40 hours per week (8 hours/day - Monday to Friday)
• Open to Internal and External Applicants
• Click on “Sign in With Employee Email” to be considered an Internal Applicant
• EIPS offers a comprehensive benefits package

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Planner is responsible for ensuring safe, efficient transportation of students in Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS), while adhering to associated transportation legislation and administrative procedures. The position oversees logistics and route optimization which involves designing and implementing bus routes, training staff and stakeholders, and managing technology systems. It maintains effective stakeholder relationships, addresses and resolves complaints, oversees an area budget, and resolves operational issues. The position maintains positive transportation experiences that recognize student needs and supports a collaborative, respectful, and efficient work environment that contributes to the department’s overall success.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Route Planning and Technology Management

• Design, implement, and schedule computerized bus routing using transportation software.
• Ensure all routing complies with applicable legislation, safety standards, and administrative procedures while optimizing cost efficiency.
• Monitor and verify route paths and student scanning using GPS VersaTrans Onscreen software.
• Develop and maintain computerized mapping to support growth planning and boundary adjustments.
• Monitor the functioning of the Student Transportation routing software to ensure efficient daily operations and to identify opportunities to increase system efficiency.
• Facilitate the transfer and validity of student, employee, and map data within the transportation system.
• Train and coach other Transportation staff in routing system software and troubleshooting.
• Review annual route assessment information submitted by Bus Operators and incorporate findings into route planning and adjustments.
• Prepare bus schedules for April and August each year and provide to parents and other stakeholders.
• Analyze data and prepare area reports on routing, route optimization, service level performance, budget/costing, boundary issues and adjustments, investigations of incidents and complaints, and other topics as requested.

Operations Management

• Review and assess daily/weekly transportation needs and requests, facilitate bus route changes as required while ensuring student safety, communications to stakeholders, and adherence to related legislation and administrative procedures.
• Coordinate response and action plans to emergent situations, including breakdowns, accidents, road closures, and rail disruptions.
• Provide training and guidance to other staff for emergent situations, bus monitoring, student or operator behaviour concerns, incident investigations, and complaints.
• Collaborate with school administrators and Supports for Students to determine specialized transportation requirements and equipment needs.
• Provide guidance to Bus Operators to support safe and effective transportation of students with diverse needs.
• Oversee bus transfer site operations, including scheduling, safety, and functional supervision of Bus Monitors.
• Monitor service performance levels and revise bus routes to address safety concerns, student needs, improve efficiency, and adhere to updated operational standards.

Incidents and Complaints

• Track complaints and satisfaction metrics through Jira and report on service levels and survey results.
• Investigate and resolve concerns raised by parents, caregivers, and school administrators.
• Collaborate with administrators to address student behaviour concerns and support bus operator practices.
• Transport students to school or home who must be removed from the bus because of disciplinary issues and/or safety concerns.
• Collaborate with Safety and Compliance Officer to roll out annual training for bus evacuation practices at school locations, and to address issues related to operator training and adherence to administrative procedures, student transportation and safety legislation.

Communication and Administration

• Oversee the automated callout system (School Messenger) for up-to-date communication and notifications and provide messaging direction for SynreVoice call outs.
• Notify stakeholders of schedule changes, emergent situations, and updates throughout the year.
• Maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders, including bus operators and contractors, school staff including administrators, bus monitors, students and parents, and government staff.
• Manage area transportation fees including payment plans, fee waivers, and submit reports for the quarterly budget.
• Validate monthly route eligibility distances to ensure accurate bus contractor pay.
• Monitor area budget including payroll exceptions and monthly reconciliations.
• Provide information and data for transportation grant funding applications.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of transportation operations and service delivery.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Degree or Diploma in a related field or equivalent experience.

Experience:

Minimum Required:

Three to five years of related experience.

Preferred:

• Five to seven years of student transportation experience.
• 1 year of supervisory experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge in planning, logistics, routing software, and associated information technologies / software.
• Proficiency in transportation software and routing systems.
• Knowledge of Alberta Transportation regulations and the Alberta Traffic Safety Act, specifically the legislative and regulatory requirements for transporting students, school bus operations, and routing.
• Understanding equipment and technology functionality (e.g. GPS, video surveillance, student scanning, safety harnesses, two-way radio).
• Excellent organizational, prioritization, and time management skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing requirements, frequent interruptions, and to remain calm and act decisively in emergency situations.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders, and to provide training and guidance to others.
• Excellent problem solving, analytical skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, web-based applications, and emerging technology.

Qualifications, Certifications or Designations

Required:

• Emergency First Aid Certification.
• Class 2 Driver's License with S-Endorsement condition or willing to obtain through Elk Island Public Schools.

Preferred:

• Certification in Safety Supervision and Special Needs Transportation from the National Association of Pupil Transportation (NAPT).
• School Bus Driver Improvement Program Trainer Certificate.

For more information, please contact Michelle Loxton, Assistant Director, Student Transportation, at 780-417-8154 or email [e-mail].

Elk Island Public Schools appreciates and considers all applications; however, we only contact candidates who are selected for interviews.

“If you require assistance with the application system, please call Apply to Education at 1-877-900-5627 or [e-mail].”