Director of Transportation

South Putnam Community Schools; Greencastle (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

South Putnam Community Schools seeks a Director of Transportation to lead all aspects of student transit, fleet maintenance, route planning, safety compliance, and personnel management.

The role ensures reliable, safe, and efficient daily travel for students while meeting DOT, FMCSA, and state school bus safety requirements, and coordinating with administrators and contractors.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Logistics, or related field preferred.
• Valid CDL with School Bus (S) and Passenger (P) endorsements or willingness to obtain.
• Completion of state-mandated school bus driver training.
• DOT Drug and Alcohol Supervisor Training completed.
• Proven experience in transportation logistics, fleet operations, and supervisory school administration.
• Physical and background checks including DOT requirements.

Responsibilities

• Route Planning and Scheduling: Design, implement, and optimize daily bus routes and schedules for general and special education students.
• Personnel Management: Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate transportation staff; maintain scheduling and payroll records.
• Fleet Maintenance and Safety: Enforce preventive maintenance and track monthly inspections; ensure compliance with DOT/FMCSA and state laws.
• Budget and Fiscal Administration: Manage the annual transportation budget; handle purchasing contracts and review invoices.
• Emergency and Weather Operations: Monitor weather, advise on delays/closures, direct emergency transportation protocols.
• Stakeholder Communication: Serve as liaison between parents, admins, state authorities, and contractors.

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Logistics, or related field

Job description

The South Putnam Community School Corporation is seeking a dedicated and experienced Director of Transportation. This leadership role oversees all aspects of student transit, fleet maintenance, route planning, safety compliance, and personnel management. The Director ensures the reliable, secure, and efficient daily travel of our students while maintaining strict compliance with local, state, and federal transportation regulations.

Core Responsibilities

Route Planning and Scheduling

• Design, implement, and continuously optimize daily bus routes and schedules for general education and special education students.
• Coordinate and schedule transportation for extracurricular activities, athletic events, and field trips.

Personnel Management

• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate all transportation staff, including bus drivers, mechanics, and dispatchers.
• Maintain accurate scheduling and payroll records for the transportation department.
• Cultivate a positive, safety-first culture among all transportation staff.

Fleet Maintenance and Safety

• Enforce comprehensive preventative maintenance programs for the entire school district fleet.
• Track and manage monthly vehicle inspections to ensure all buses meet strict safety standards.
• Ensure district-wide compliance with all Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, as well as state-level school bus safety laws.

Budget and Fiscal Administration

• Manage and monitor the annual transportation department budget.
• Handle purchasing contracts for fuel, parts, and equipment.
• Review and approve departmental invoices, expenses, and payroll.

Emergency and Weather Operations

• Actively monitor local weather conditions and road hazards.
• Advise the Superintendent on school delays, early dismissals, or closures due to inclement weather.
• Direct emergency response protocols, accident investigations, and student reunification plans involving transportation.

Stakeholder Communication

• Serve as the primary point of contact and liaison between parents, school administrators, state transit authorities, and contractors.
• Address and resolve parent and community concerns regarding routing, stops, and student conduct on buses promptly and professionally.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: High school diploma or GED required. A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Logistics, or a related field is highly preferred.
• Licensing & Certifications:
• Valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with School Bus (S) and Passenger (P) endorsements, or willing to obtain them.
• Completion of state-mandated school bus driver training.
• Completion of DOT Drug and Alcohol Supervisor Training.
• Experience: Proven experience in transportation logistics, fleet operations, and/or supervisory school administration.
• Physical & Background Standards: Must be able to pass regular DOT physical examinations, comprehensive criminal background checks, and driving record reviews.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, work outdoors in varying weather conditions, and respond to after-hours transportation emergencies.

Equal Opportunity Employer

South Putnam Community School Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.