Region Safety Director

First Student; Wisconsin; On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Job summary

First Student seeks a regional Safety Director to oversee safety and day-to-day transportation management for a defined area. You will ensure compliance with applicable regulations and company policies, and lead safety initiatives across multiple locations.

You will build strong safety teams, coordinate training, and drive data-driven improvements while supporting risk management and driver training staffing. Strong leadership and instructional credentials are required.

Qualifications

• Minimum experience in safety/transportation with multi-site responsibilities or 5+ years in management.
• Formal instructor certification or ability to obtain one within region.
• Strong leadership, decision-making and team-building skills.
• Proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook; payroll/timekeeping systems preferred.
• Ability to analyze data, perform root cause analysis and drive corrective actions.

Responsibilities

• Oversee safety and day-to-day transportation management for a regional area.
• Ensure compliance with Federal, State and Client regulations and company policies.
• Lead safety initiatives, training, and program rollouts across locations.
• Build and maintain safety teams; recruit, onboard, and develop staff.
• Coordinate monthly safety reporting and data collection for the region.
• Analyze safety events, identify trends, and recommend corrective actions.
• Support risk management and vendor relations; participate in claims review calls.
• Ensure driver trainer staffing levels and collaborate with HR on onboarding.

Skills

Safety leadership

Management experience

Computer literacy

Verbal and written communication

Time management

Root cause analysis

Travel 50%

Education

State/Provincial Instructor Certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Timekeeping software

Payroll systems

Smart technology

Job description

Provides safety oversight, day-to-day management, customer interface, and required reporting and compliance mandates (both internal and external) for a specific area within a region. Supports the safety/security of all operational, facility and workshop activities within the region. Provides the regional oversight to support compliance with all company, Federal, State, Provincial, Territorial and Client regulations. Serves as the conduit for the collection and reporting of all safety performance related data from the region.

Major Responsibilities

• Ensures the safe transportation of passengers to and from their destinations.
• Measures and monitors compliance with company policies procedures, FTA, FMCSA, DOT, OSHA/OHS, DHS or other applicable Federal, State, Provincial, Territorial and Client regulations. This will include ensuring the training being conducted meets all First Group America Guidelines and is in keeping with best practices.
• Coordinates the support, roll out and project management of all new safety initiatives, training and other safety activities within their region.
• Builds positive relationships with employees, local school officials, parents and the community. Resolves safety concerns with employees, local school officials, parents, and the community.
• In conjunction with the AGM and ASM, supports fair and consistent recognition and/or corrective discipline.
• Manages and collects all information and data from locations within the regions necessary to complete monthly safety reports in accordance with all deadlines. This includes the RSM preparing the actual reports.
• Leads by example. Builds and maintains a strong positive Area/Location Safety teams through effective recruiting, on-boarding, training, coaching, team building and succession planning. Prepare and participate in the preparation of staff development plans for each Safety employee who is a member of the Area/Location Safety team. Assess the skills and skill levels necessary to achieve Location Safety objectives. Ensures all on-line learning courses required have been completed by location Safety staff including their own individual completion.
• Works with the locations to ensure a proper analysis is conducted of each safety event occurring in the region which results in an injury to an employee, passenger, motorist, pedestrian etc. or any other serious safety event which may not have included an injury.
• Identifies safety trends within the regions/locations and using the trend information to recommend corrective actions.
• Trains the trainers, safety personnel and managers within the region on all safety programs.
• Supports the development and creation of any regional written materials including, procedures, safety posters, safety alerts, lesson plans, power point presentations, etc.
• Promotes new company initiatives and supports changes. Champions new changes or company initiatives within their region. Ensures all safety employees at the locations are supporting the changes or initiatives.
• Assists with the Risk Department with management and legal support for injuries and collisions within the region. Participate on region claims review calls.
• Has direct responsibility to ensure proper driving trainer staffing levels. Work closely with operations and HR to identify trainer needs and effectively administer driver onboarding.

Minimum Experience or Skills Required

• 7 years proven experience in Safety/transportation and/or student transportation or comparable service industry showing a consistent successful upward employment progression with multi-site responsibilities or 5+ years management experience
• Safety certifications, OSHA 10-hr./30-hr. course preferred
• Demonstrate leadership, decision-making and team building skills
• Strong proficiency in computer literacy essential with Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Experience with other software such as timekeeping and payroll systems is preferred.
• Advanced skills in technology used to manage the operation to include but not limited to FGA approved Smart technology, Apps, encrypted drives, shared drives and other Smart technology.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational, analytical and time management skills
• Ability to interpret data and perform root cause analysis and assist others
• State/Provincial Instructor Certification in at least one of the States/Provincial in the Region.
• Certified Smith System Defensive Driving Instructor.
• Must be able to lead behavioral change by motivating others and inspiring them to become safety leaders.
• Incumbent must be able to move about the office and between floors; utilize standard office equipment; access filing system/cabinets; and communicate effectively and efficiently in person or by telephone.
• Ability to perform job functions in an office or field setting under adverse weather or working conditions.
• Travel required at least 50% of the time

Compensation ranges from $130,000 - $150,000 starting depending on experience. This role also receives a 20% bonus.