Area Safety Manager

FIRST MANAGEMENT SERVICES LLC; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 88,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k)

Paid holidays

Job summary

First Student is seeking an Area Safety Manager based in Poughkeepsie, NY, covering Eastern New York with travel. You will lead safety initiatives, drive continuous improvement, investigate incidents, and ensure regulatory and company compliance across multiple locations.

You will work with area leadership to deploy safety programs, manage training, and analyze data to identify trends and actions. Strong communication and leadership are essential, along with DOT English proficiency.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of safety/transportation experience.
• 5+ years in fleet transportation management.
• Strong commitment to safety.
• Proven leadership, decision-making and team-building skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Experience with timekeeping/payroll systems preferred.
• Advanced skills with technology used to manage operations (FGA Smart tech, apps, encrypted drives).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to interpret data and perform root-cause analysis.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team environment.
• Experience training, coaching and leading teams.
• English proficiency required by DOT/regulations.
• Collision Investigation training.
• State/provincial Instructor Certification in at least one region.
• Certified Smith System Defensive Driving Instructor.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy safety provisions across locations within budget guidance.
• Identify underperforming locations and drive continuous improvement.
• Conduct comprehensive incident investigations for serious events.
• Coordinate actions and communicate lessons learned.
• Share best practices for problem solving across locations.
• Support claims management and litigation with Risk Management.
• Complete root cause analyses with operations and maintenance.
• Manage driver onboarding and training needs with HR.
• Ensure compliance with First Student policies and laws; report location scores.
• Prepare monthly safety performance reports and trend analyses.
• Assist with recruitment and onboarding of LSMs.
• Oversee safety training programs and supervisory coaching.
• Coordinate safety audits and site safety reviews.
• Drive BeSafe coaching and program debriefs.
• Support divisional safety communications and initiatives.

Skills

Safety/Transportation Experience

Fleet transportation management

Leadership & change management

MS Office proficiency

Timekeeping/payroll software

Technology proficiency (Smart tech)

Verbal & written communication

Data interpretation & root cause分析

Training & coaching

English language proficiency

Collision Investigation training

Instructor certification (state/prov)

Smith System Defensive Driving

Education

2 years of college or equivalent

OSHA 10-hr or safety/transportation certifications

Tools

MS Office Suite

Smart technology platforms (FGA)

Job description

Summary

First Student is hiring an Area Safety Manager based out of Poughkeepsie, NY covering Eastern, NY state! Traveling Required Salary $88,000-$98,000 Summary: The Area Safety Manager (ASM) supports the safety of designated locations for all operational, facility and shop activities within the geographic area. The ASM works directly with the Area General Manager and must be able to lead behavioral and organizational change by influencing and change management. The ASM drives continuous improvement by reviewing data and deploying strategies to mitigate risks. The ASM ensures that division safety initiatives and processes and embedded into the area operations and monitors adherence to strategic and program initiatives. Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and company policy.

Major Responsibilities

• Works with the RSD, LSM, LM and the Maintenance Manager, to ensure safety provisions are developed and deployed in accordance to budget and guidance.
• Identifies underperforming locations to established targets, perform analysis and work with location team to develop, recommend, and implement continuous improvement processes.
• Conduct comprehensive incident investigations for all serious events.
• Assists to develop actions and ensures lessons learned are communicated and implemented.
• Share best practices and innovative approaches for problem solving at locations managed by the position.
• Provide support to RSD and Risk Management on claims management and in litigation.
• Complete Root Cause Analysis with operations and maintenance as required.
• Work closely with the workers' compensation third-party administrator to proactively manage claims.
• Has direct responsibility to ensure proper driving trainer staffing levels.
• Work closely with operations and HR to identify trainer needs and effectively administer driver onboarding.
• Assist locations to determine and implement proper remedial actions for safety events and review disciplinary actions with HR and Operations.
• Multiple location oversight to guide locations on compliance with First Student policies and SOPs, as well as applicable laws and regulations, provide visibility of location compliance scores to regional and senior team.
• Prepare monthly reports and safety performance analysis for locations.
• Identify trends and corrective actions and communicate to AGM and management team.
• Assess location safety performance by utilizing Daily Dispatch, Driver Mobile Manager, and other applicable tools.
• In partnership with LM, will participate in the recruiting process for selection and onboarding of new LSM’s.
• Provide safety training for new LMs and LSMs; develop LSM competencies and skills and support regional train the trainer workshops.
• Ensure operational efficiencies at a location level by utilizing Focus, Zonar, and the Safety Care database.
• Perform location Safety Wellness Checks at least annually at high-risk locations this may require more frequent inspections and safety reviews.
• Assists HR/LM with driver recruitment, retention, and training activities.
• Supplements the site safety review process by conducting safety audits.
• Additionally, the ASM works with the locations and RVPs/AGMs to properly close Site Safety Review actions.
• ASM manages the BeSafe process, including Safety Leadership course delivery, identifying and onboarding BeSafe Coaches and monitor debrief quality.
• Works with RVP, AGM and LM regarding the communication and execution of divisional wide activities and actions.
• Provides technical oversight to the LSM, as needed, while the requests from LM’s will be prioritized and in partnership with the ASM to support the Operations and Safety function.
• Verification of location compliance with PDDP, EDTP, Non-Conforming Vehicles standards and conduct quality assurance by auditing elements of training programs being conducted at a location level.
• Ensures that all Training Standards are being carried per Company guidelines.
• Support the execution of kickoff/safety meetings by working closely with location staff.
• Provides the appropriate level of startup support.
• Other responsibilities as requested or required.

Qualifications

• 7 Years of Safety/Transportation Experience
• 5 Years experience in fleet transportation management
• Strong commitment to Safety
• Demonstrate leadership, decision-making and team building skills
• Strong proficiency in computer literacy essential with Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Experience with other software such as timekeeping and payroll systems is preferred.
• Advanced skills in technology used to manage the operation to include but not limited to FGA approved Smart technology, Apps, encrypted drives, shared drives and other Smart technology.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to interpret data and perform root cause analysis and assist others
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with others in a team setting
• Demonstrated ability to train, coach and provide leadership
• Collision Investigation training
• State/Provincial Instructor Certification in at least one of the States/Provincial in the Region
• Certified Smith System Defensive Driving Instructor

Minimum Education or Certifications Required

• 2 years of college preferred or equivalent education/experience
• OSHA 10-hr, safety/transportation certifications, etc.

Benefits

• We offer competitive compensation and benefits 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.

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 First in your community, you'll have a positive impact on others.

Language Requirement

Language Requirement This role requires English proficiency. Federal, state, and local requirements, including U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, require training, safety communications, company policies, employment documents, and other job-related communications be conducted in English.

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.

MISSION

Provide unmatched care and the safest ride to school, so when students arrive, they start and end their day with an exceptional experience and are ready to achieve their full potential.

FOCUS ON SAFETY

Safety is at the heart of everything we do

CARE FOR OUR STUDENTS

Ensure our vehicles are welcoming and trusted places where students feel comfortable and secure

SURPASS CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS

Go the extra mile to deliver an extraordinary experience for our customers and communities

FOSTER TEAMWORK

Work together, act with integrity, respect each other, champion diversity and inclusion

SET THE HIGHEST STANDARDS

Continually seek a better way to do things with innovation, sustainable practices, financial discipline, commercial excellence, and operational excellence