Paratransit General Manager

First Student; Cranford (NJ); On-site; USD 95,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

First Student in Cranford, NJ is seeking a Paratransit General Manager to lead daily paratransit operations, focusing on safe, reliable service, contract compliance, customer satisfaction, employee performance, and financial results.

The role requires 5+ years of operational leadership in transportation, experience with contract-based operations, ADA knowledge, and strong leadership and financial management skills. CDL/driver credentials may be required depending on location and needs.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of transportation, paratransit, transit, or related operational leadership experience.
• Experience managing a contract-based transportation operation preferred.
• Knowledge of ADA requirements and demand-response or paratransit operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading large teams and managing staffing, employee performance, and labor-related issues.
• Experience with collective bargaining, union environments, or union labor relations a plus.
• Strong financial and operational management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily paratransit operations and ensure safe, reliable, and efficient service.
• Maintain compliance with contractual requirements, company policies, ADA requirements, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Build and maintain a strong working relationship with the customer and serve as a primary point of contact for operational matters.
• Lead, coach, and develop location leadership and frontline employees.
• Oversee staffing levels, scheduling, employee performance, attendance, and workforce planning.
• Monitor operational performance and implement corrective actions when service or performance expectations are not being met.
• Maintain a strong safety culture and ensure established safety processes and procedures are followed.
• Partner with Safety, Maintenance, Human Resources, Recruiting, Finance, and other support functions.
• Manage location financial performance, including labor, operating expenses, productivity, and budget performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve service quality, efficiency, employee engagement, and customer satisfaction.

Skills

Leadership

Customer relations

Communication

Problem-solving

Financial acumen

Job description

About The Role

The Paratransit General Manager is responsible for leading all aspects of daily paratransit operations, with a focus on safe, reliable service, contract compliance, customer satisfaction, employee performance, and financial results.

Location: Cranford, NJ

Pay: $95,000 - $105,000

Employment Type: Full-Time

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily paratransit operations and ensure safe, reliable, and efficient service.
• Maintain compliance with contractual requirements, company policies, ADA requirements, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Build and maintain a strong working relationship with the customer and serve as a primary point of contact for operational matters.
• Lead, coach, and develop location leadership and frontline employees.
• Oversee staffing levels, scheduling, employee performance, attendance, and workforce planning.
• Monitor operational performance and implement corrective actions when service or performance expectations are not being met.
• Maintain a strong safety culture and ensure established safety processes and procedures are followed.
• Partner with Safety, Maintenance, Human Resources, Recruiting, Finance, and other support functions.
• Manage location financial performance, including labor, operating expenses, productivity, and budget performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve service quality, efficiency, employee engagement, and customer satisfaction.

What Success Looks Like

• Safe and reliable transportation service
• Strong contract and regulatory compliance
• Consistent achievement of operational performance goals
• Effective staffing and employee retention
• Strong customer relationships
• Responsible financial management
• A well-developed and accountable leadership team

Qualifications

• 5+ years of transportation, paratransit, transit, or related operational leadership experience.
• Experience managing a contract-based transportation operation preferred.
• Knowledge of ADA requirements and demand-response or paratransit operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading large teams and managing staffing, employee performance, and labor-related issues.
• Experience with collective bargaining, union environments, or union labor relations a plus.
• Strong financial and operational management skills.
• Strong communication, leadership, problem-solving, and customer relationship skills.
• Valid driver's license required.
• CDL or ability to obtain appropriate licensing may be required based on location and operational needs.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

This position operates in both an office and transportation operations environment and may require regular interaction with employees, customers, vehicles, and operating facilities. Availability outside normal business hours may be required based on operational needs.

Why Join First Student

First Student offers the opportunity to lead a critical transportation operation while working with a team focused on safety, service, accountability, and operational excellence. As General Manager, you will have direct influence over employee experience, customer relationships, service performance, and the overall success of the location.

Disclaimer

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.

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.