Location Safety Lead — Elevate Driver Safety & Compliance

First Student; New York (NY); On-site; USD 66,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

First Student seeks a Location Safety Manager to improve safety across one or more locations. You will oversee driver qualification, training, incident response, and safety compliance. Use road observations and safety trends to help prevent future incidents.

You will lead driver hiring, manage training coordination, conduct investigations, and maintain safety records while collaborating with location leaders and union reps to drive a culture of safe, reliable transportation.

Qualifications

• At least five years of operations experience. Experience in a driver role counts toward this requirement.
• Experience in a safety role preferred.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state safety regulations.
• Strong organization, judgment, and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to use operational systems and shared technology.
• Clear written and verbal communication in English and the ability to work with drivers, employees, customers, union representatives, and leadership.
• A consistent commitment to safe practices.

Responsibilities

• Manage driver hiring and qualification including background checks, MVR reviews, medical exams, and drug and alcohol testing.
• Guide location trainers, review classroom training for compliance, and coordinate recertification and retraining.
• Investigate accidents, incidents, and work-related injuries; document findings, assess preventability, coordinate claims follow-up, and coach drivers.
• Maintain safety records and submit required reports and data through company systems.
• Lead monthly safety meetings and support Safety Action Team and accident review meetings, including driver appeals.
• Conduct road observations and pre-trip and post-trip checks to assess driver performance.
• Train drivers and attendants on passenger management and other safety practices, analyze trends, and recommend improvements.

Skills

Operations experience

Safety knowledge

Microsoft Office

English communication

Driver background considered

Job description

First Student seeks a Location Safety Manager to improve safety across one or more locations. You will oversee driver qualification, training, incident response, and safety compliance. Use road observations and safety trends to help prevent future incidents.

You will lead driver hiring, manage training coordination, conduct investigations, and maintain safety records while collaborating with location leaders and union reps to drive a culture of safe, reliable transportation.