Paratransit Ops Leader: Safe Service & Team Growth

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

Job summary

First Student, Cranford, NJ, is seeking a Paratransit General Manager to lead all daily paratransit operations, focusing on safe, reliable service, contract compliance, customer satisfaction, and financial performance. The role serves as the primary operational leader for the location, partnering with the customer and internal teams to meet service expectations.

The successful candidate will have 5+ years in transportation or paratransit leadership, strong staffing and financial management

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.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily paratransit operations, ensuring 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 experience

Contract management

ADA knowledge

Staffing management

Customer relations

Driver's license

Job description

First Student, Cranford, NJ, is seeking a Paratransit General Manager to lead all daily paratransit operations, focusing on safe, reliable service, contract compliance, customer satisfaction, and financial performance. The role serves as the primary operational leader for the location, partnering with the customer and internal teams to meet service expectations.

The successful candidate will have 5+ years in transportation or paratransit leadership, strong staffing and financial management