Field Supervisor

Zūm; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Zūm is seeking an experienced Field Supervisor to provide on-the-ground safety oversight and operational support for our transportation team in Rockford. This role acts as the eyes and ears in the field, conducting route observations, safety audits, and real-time incident response to ensure safe, compliant operations.

You will coach drivers, support route training, and complete post-incident checks while maintaining high safety standards and building a culture of excellence.

Qualifications

• CDL Class B with P and S endorsements and DOT Medical Certificate.
• 2+ years in Safety Department operations, school bus operations, or dispatch.
• Knowledge of local and state laws and district policies.

Responsibilities

• Conduct route ride-alongs and stop audits to ensure safety and on-time performance.
• Verify proper loading/unloading procedures in adherence to regulations.
• Perform DOT compliance checks, inspect pre-trip/post-trip procedures and vehicle cleanliness.
• Provide on-the-spot coaching and immediate feedback for safety issues and operational concerns.
• Support new drivers with route-specific training and shadowing activities.
• Document observations and coaching notes in required systems; monitor yard operations.

Skills

CDL Class B

P/S endorsements

Safety operations

Regulatory knowledge

Driver coaching

Field supervision

Tools

G-Suite

Gatekeeper

Netradyne

Camera systems

Job description

About Zūm

Zūm is revolutionizing mass mobility with its Connected Mobility Experience ( Zūm CMX ™) system that connects and coordinates people, vehicles, and operations in real time. In the $50 billion student mobility market – the largest segment of the mass mobility industry – Zūm CMX is transforming a daily source of anxiety and disruption into a reliable, transparent, and efficient mobility experience for students and families. Today, more than 6,500 schools rely on Zūm CMX . Recognized globally for its innovative approach and operational execution, Zūm has been named to Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies, CNBC Disruptor 50 and Changemakers, the World Economic Forum, and the Financial Times’ Fastest Growing Companies lists. Zūm is backed by leading investors including Sequoia Capital, GIC, TPG, and Softbank.

About Zūm

Zūm is revolutionizing mass mobility with its Connected Mobility Experience ( Zūm CMX ™) system that connects and coordinates people, vehicles, and operations in real time. In the $50 billion student mobility market – the largest segment of the mass mobility industry – Zūm CMX is transforming a daily source of anxiety and disruption into a reliable, transparent, and efficient mobility experience for students and families. Today, more than 6,500 schools rely on Zūm CMX . Recognized globally for its innovative approach and operational execution, Zūm has been named to Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies, CNBC Disruptor 50 and Changemakers, the World Economic Forum, and the Financial Times’ Fastest Growing Companies lists. Zūm is backed by leading investors including Sequoia Capital, GIC, TPG, and Softbank.

About The Role

We're seeking an experienced Field Supervisor to provide on-the-ground safety oversight and operational support for our transportation team. This role is the eyes and ears in the field, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient operation of all district transportation routes through direct observation, driver coaching, and real-time incident response. You'll spend your days riding routes, conducting safety audits, supporting drivers, and responding to emergencies—all while maintaining the highest safety standards and building a culture of excellence. You'll be the trusted leader drivers turn to for guidance and the safety champion who ensures every student arrives safely, every time.

What Makes You Successful in This Role

You're a safety-minded leader who loves being out in the field rather than behind a desk. You're naturally observant, catching safety issues before they become problems, and you know how to coach drivers in a way that's direct but respectful. You stay calm under pressure—whether you're responding to an accident scene, helping a new driver navigate a tricky route, or addressing a parent’s concern. You genuinely care about driver success and student safety, and you're not afraid to have tough conversations when needed. You're comfortable juggling route observations, incident investigations, documentation, and training support—all in the same day. You bring a steady, approachable presence that earns respect from drivers and builds confidence with schools and families.

Responsibilities

Route Oversight & Safety Compliance

• Conduct daily ride-alongs, route observations, and stop audits (AM/PM) to ensure safe and compliant operations while monitoring on-time performance and identifying operational inefficiencies
• Verify drivers follow proper student loading/unloading procedures in adherence to federal, state, and district transportation regulations
• Perform random DOT compliance checks, verify documentation, inspect pre-trip/post-trip procedures and vehicle cleanliness, and monitor proper use of seat belts, student management procedures, and emergency evacuation readiness

Driver Support, Coaching & Training

• Provide on-the-spot coaching and immediate written feedback when safety violations or procedural concerns arise, and follow up on performance metrics or operational issues
• Support new drivers with route-specific training, shadowing, and monitored practice drives while serving as first point of contact for guidance, conflict resolution, and real-time operational support
• Conduct informal reviews of safe-driving techniques and behavior-management strategies, and support or facilitate safety meetings, refresher trainings, annual recertifications, and track employee compliance for required certifications

Incident Response & Operational Support

• Respond immediately to road calls, breakdowns, and accidents to ensure student safety, assist drivers, and conduct post-incident checks
• Complete initial incident reports, gather necessary information for Safety and Operations teams, and ensure timely communication to school districts and company leadership during safety-related events
• Document observations, coaching notes, and performance issues in required systems, and monitor yard operations to ensure buses are ready, fueled, and staged properly for routes

Qualifications Basic Qualifications

• Possession of a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Class B with Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements and current DOT Medical Certificate
• Minimum of two (2) years of relevant industry experience in Safety Department operations, school bus operations, or dispatch
• Knowledge of local and state laws and regulations pertaining to the school bus industry and District policies

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of school bus safety regulations and best practices
• Basic computer proficiency with G‑Suite applications (Sheets, Docs, Slides)
• Proven record of leading teams and implementing new safety programs and initiatives
• Proficiency with reporting and safety tools including incident reports, Gatekeeper, Netradyne, and camera systems, etc.
• Experience investigating accidents and incidents with completion of all required documentation and reporting
• Familiarity with accident reporting

Zūm Services, Inc. and all its subsidiaries provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as Lever, Fountain, Factory Fix, Metaview, Gem, Claude, to support parts of the hiring process, including reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on applicant’s provided data or publicly available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us at [email protected].