Assistant General Manager/ Operations Manager

MPC Bus Corp; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

None

Job summary

First Student in Newark, NJ is seeking an Assistant General Manager / Operations Manager to lead the Essex County Paratransit operation. This role works closely with the General Manager to ensure safe, reliable, and compliant service across dispatch, scheduling, and fleet coordination.

The successful candidate will bring extensive supervisory or management experience in paratransit or public transportation, with a focus on operational leadership, staff development, and delivering high-quality

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible supervisory or management experience in paratransit, community or public transportation.
• Experience with transportation operations, scheduling, dispatching, and fleet coordination.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day Essex County Paratransit operations in coordination with the GM and local leaders.
• Supervise staff, set direction, coach, and manage performance across dispatch, scheduling, and customer service.
• Monitor service performance, address operational issues, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Employee supervision

Communication

Problem solving

Time management

Regulatory compliance

Tools

Dispatch software

Scheduling systems

Fleet management software

Job description

Assistant General Manager / Operations Manager

This position is being recruited in support of a pending Essex County paratransit contract opportunity. Employment is contingent upon First Student being awarded the contract. Candidates may be contacted and interviewed prior to the contract award; however, an employment start date will not be confirmed until the award and implementation timeline are finalized.

Why First Student?

At First Student, our operations leaders are responsible for delivering safe, reliable, and efficient transportation service while supporting employees and maintaining strong customer relationships.

About the Role

The Assistant General Manager/Operations Manager supports the overall management of the Essex County Paratransit operation and works closely with the General Manager and other local leaders to ensure transportation services are delivered safely, efficiently, and in accordance with contractual and regulatory requirements. This position provides hands‑on operational leadership across multiple areas of the business, including employee supervision, dispatching, scheduling, fleet coordination, customer service, and personnel management. The successful candidate will bring significant supervisory or management experience in paratransit, community transportation, public transportation, logistics, fleet management, or a closely related transportation environment.

What You’ll Do

• Support the day‑to‑day management of the Essex County Paratransit operation.
• Assist with oversight of transportation service delivery, including dispatching, scheduling, routing, and daily operations.
• Supervise employees and provide day‑to‑day direction, coaching, and performance management.
• Support driver, dispatcher, customer service, and operational staff.
• Monitor service performance and help address operational issues as they arise.
• Coordinate with maintenance and fleet teams to support vehicle availability and service reliability.
• Help manage fleet operations and ensure vehicles are appropriately assigned and available for service.
• Support customer service activities and assist with the resolution of passenger or client concerns.
• Monitor regulatory and company compliance requirements.
• Assist with employee scheduling, staffing, attendance, and other personnel‑management responsibilities.
• Support safety initiatives and operational compliance programs.
• Assist with service disruptions, emergencies, and other operational events.
• Review operational data and performance trends and help develop corrective actions or process improvements.
• Work closely with the General Manager and other leadership to maintain strong operational performance.
• Help promote employee engagement, accountability, teamwork, and a positive work environment.
• Perform additional operational and management responsibilities as required.

What You’ll Bring

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible supervisory or management experience in one or more of the following: Community transportation Paratransit Demand‑response transportation Public transportation Logistics Fleet management a closely related transportation field
• Demonstrated experience with: Transportation operations Employee supervision Customer service Scheduling Dispatching Fleet operations Regulatory compliance Personnel management
• Strong leadership and employee‑management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple operational priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making ability.
• Ability to work effectively with drivers, dispatchers, customers, management, vendors, and community partners.
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills.
• Ability to support operational improvements and maintain consistent service performance.

Work Environment

Position is full‑time and on‑site. Role will involve work in office, dispatch, vehicle, and transportation operating environments. Must be able to respond to operational issues and changing service needs throughout the workday. Additional availability may be required based on operational needs, emergencies, or service disruptions.

Why Join Our Team?

This role provides the opportunity to help lead a major paratransit operation while directly influencing employee performance, customer service, operational efficiency, and service reliability.

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. 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.

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