Manager in Development

First Student; Belton (MO); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental & vision

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Life and disability insurance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Ongoing training & career growth

Positive, team‑focused work environ

Job summary

First Student in Belton, MO is launching a Manager in Development (MID) program designed to train future site leaders. This full-time, on-site role offers hands-on operations exposure and mentorship to prepare you for a rewarding management career in student transportation.

You will rotate through dispatch, road supervision, safety, finance, and HR, while collaborating with senior managers to staff, schedule, and ensure safe, reliable service every day.

Qualifications

• Leadership skills and a drive to learn and grow.
• Strong communication and problem‑solving abilities.
• Comfort working in a fast‑paced, people‑first environment.
• Must be based in Belton or Grandview, MO, or willing to relocate for the role.
• Previous operations or management experience is a plus, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Dive into daily operations - learn how to run a location from the ground up.
• Take part in rotations with multiple departments, including but not limited to: dispatch, road supervision, safety, finance, and HR.
• Work side‑by‑side with experienced managers, supporting everything from staffing and scheduling to safety and compliance
• Lead projects, troubleshoot issues, and drive process improvements
• Build strong relationships with staff, drivers, and school partners
• Support the Location Manager and help deliver safe, reliable service every day

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Adaptability

Relocation willingness

Job description

Manager in Development (MID) - Belton, MO area! Pay: $55,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year. Pay is based on experience. Schedule: Full-time - On-site Drive Your Career Forward with Us! Ready to step into a leadership role and make an impact? We're looking for motivated, hands‑on problem solvers to join our Manager in Development (MID) program in Belton, MO. This is your launchpad to a rewarding management career in student transportation, with direct access to mentorship, real‑world experience, and advancement opportunities.

What You’ll Do:

• Dive into daily operations - learn how to run a location from the ground up.
• Take part in rotations with multiple departments, including but not limited to: dispatch, road supervision, safety, finance, and HR.
• Work side‑by‑side with experienced managers, supporting everything from staffing and scheduling to safety and compliance
• Lead projects, troubleshoot issues, and drive process improvements
• Build strong relationships with staff, drivers, and school partners
• Support the Location Manager and help deliver safe, reliable service every day

What You Bring:

• Leadership skills and a drive to learn and grow
• Strong communication and problem‑solving abilities
• Comfort working in a fast‑paced, people‑first environment
• Must be based in Belton or Grandview, MO, or willing to relocate for the role
• Previous operations or management experience is a plus, but not required

Why Join Us?

• Comprehensive medical, dental & vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Life and disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Ongoing training & career growth
• Positive, team‑focused work environment

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