Area Safety Manager

First Student; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

First Student is seeking an experienced Area Safety Manager to oversee safety across multiple locations, requiring up to 75% travel. The ideal candidate will ensure compliance and drive safety initiatives, fostering a culture focused on operational excellence and employee safety.

Benefits

Medical/Dental/Vision Benefits

401(k)

Paid Holiday/Vacation

Qualifications

• Experience in collision investigation and root cause analysis.
• Ability to train, coach, and engage teams.
• Available to travel frequently (75%) and respond to urgent needs.

Responsibilities

• Conduct annual safety reviews across multiple sites.
• Lead investigations for serious incidents.
• Guide Location Safety Managers with development.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Decision-making

Tech-savvy

Coaching

Education

7+ years of experience in safety or transportation

5+ years in fleet or transportation management

Smith System Instructor Certification (Preferred)

State Instructor Certification (Preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Safety/operations software

Job description

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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.

First Student is now hiring an Area Safety Manager!

Join a team that puts safety first! We’re looking for an experienced and proactive Area Safety Manager to support 25 locations across four states. This high-impact role is ideal for a safety professional who thrives in a dynamic environment, can lead with influence, and has a passion for operational excellence.

Preferred Location: Washington | Coverage Area: WA, AK, ID, MT

Full-Time | Up to 75% Travel Required

Annual Salary Range: $90,000 – $110,000 + bonus

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a key safety and compliance partner across multiple sites in WA, AK, ID, and MT
• Conduct annual (or more frequent) site safety reviews and wellness checks
• Lead investigations for serious incidents and support root cause analysis and corrective action plans
• Monitor safety trends, deliver monthly safety performance reports, and drive continuous improvement
• Guide and support Location Safety Managers (LSMs) with ongoing development
• Partner with HR and Operations to ensure proper staffing of driver trainers
• Support compliance with company policies, training standards, and state/federal regulations
• Assist with safety training programs, claims management, and coordination of regional safety initiatives
• Travel up to 75%, primarily overnight, to provide on-site coaching, audits, and emergency response
  
  

Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience in safety or transportation (or relevant education)
• 5+ years in fleet or transportation management
• Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills
• Tech-savvy with Microsoft Office and safety/operations software
• Experience in collision investigation and root cause analysis
• Ability to train, coach, and build team engagement
• Flexible, with availability to travel frequently (75%) and respond to urgent needs
• Preferred: Smith System Instructor Certification, State Instructor Certification
  
  

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 3 to 5 month Manager-In-Development program prepares future leaders at 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 First in your community, you’ll have a positive impact on others.

Apply today and get your career on the road with First Student!

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 .

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Management and Manufacturing

• Industries

  School and Employee Bus Services

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