Safety Manager

Zūm Services, Inc.; City of Yonkers (NY); On-site; USD 75,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

A fast-growing school transportation startup is looking for an experienced Safety Manager to oversee safety operations in Yonkers, NY. You will lead safety initiatives, manage regulatory compliance, and drive a proactive safety culture. The ideal candidate has over 5 years in the transportation industry, a Commercial Driver's License, and extensive knowledge of safety regulations. The position offers a competitive pay range of $75,000 - $83,000 with a focus on ensuring the safety of employees and students in the community.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in safety management within the transportation industry.
• In‑depth knowledge of FMCSA regulations and DOT standards.
• Experience with supervisory roles in transportation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety operations at the Yonker location.
• Conduct root cause investigations for incidents.
• Administer the DOT random drug and alcohol testing program.

Skills

Safety management

Incident management

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Training

Education

Commercial Driver's License

Job description

Zūm is a rapidly expanding Series E startup backed by industry leaders Sequoia Capital, SoftBank, Spark Capital, and GIC, with a bold mission to transform the stagnant school transportation industry. Operating in over 15 states across the United States— flagship hubs in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle—we are actively extending our reach to the East Coast and Midwest regions. As a technology‑driven company, we deploy cutting‑edge solutions to manage and operate school district transportation systems while also launching our own charter platform and developing proprietary SaaS offerings. Additionally, we are spearheading a nationwide initiative to electrify school transportation fleets, simultaneously supporting local utilities by feeding much‑needed energy back into the grid. We have been recognized as CNBC 50 disruptor, Financial Times 500 fastest growing companies, Fast Company World Changing Ideas.

About the Role

We're seeking an experienced Safety Manager to lead safety operations at our Yonker, NY location. This role encompasses the complete safety lifecycle—from program development and training implementation to incident management and regulatory compliance. You'll build a culture of behavioral safety, manage safety department staff, and establish best‑in‑class safety standards that protect employees, students, and the communities we serve. You'll be the guardian of our most important value, ensuring every person arrives home safely every day.

What Makes You Successful in This Role

You're a passionate safety advocate with a commitment to zero incidents. You balance proactive prevention with responsive incident management in dynamic transportation environments. You make safety training engaging and memorable, turning compliance requirements into genuine behavior change. You analyze incident data, conduct field observations with drivers, present safety metrics to district administrators, and investigate accident scenes with equal confidence. You interpret regulations, influence behavior through clear communication, and build a culture where safety is everyone's responsibility.

Responsibilities

Safety Culture:

• Lead safety meetings, toolbox talks, and yard walkthroughs to reinforce safe practices across all roles
• Proactively identify hazards, document findings, and track corrective actions to closure
• Track location‑level safety metrics and report trends to the Location Manager

Incident & Accident Management:

• Serve as the on‑site lead for all incidents and accidents; execute post‑accident procedures correctly and within required timeframes
• Conduct root cause investigations and administer DOT‑mandated post‑accident drug and alcohol testing (49 CFR Part 382.303)
• Coordinate scene documentation and file complete, accurate claims in the insurance platform (ESIS)
• Submit regulatory reports within required timeframes (FMCSA, state DOE, and other applicable agencies)

Workforce Compliance & Credentials:

• Maintain current credentials for all drivers and attendants: CDL, Non‑CDL, school bus permits, DOT physicals, state endorsements, and bus attendant certifications—zero lapses
• Maintain compliant Driver Qualification (DQ) files per FMCSA 49 CFR Part 391
• Administer the DOT random drug and alcohol testing program (49 CFR Part 382), including pool enrollment, testing logistics, violation management, and return‑to‑duty coordination

Training & Workforce Proficiency:

• Oversee the Driver Trainer to ensure training programs—new hire onboarding, BTW, route qualification, and refresher—meet regulatory and Zūm standards
• Manage the full Non‑CDL to school bus driver certification pathway at the location
• Maintain training completion records, proficiency evaluations, and corrective training logs; audit‑ready at all times

What Success Looks Like

• Zero lapsed credentials across all drivers and attendants
• All incidents investigated, documented, and reported within regulatory timeframes
• Drug and alcohol program administered with zero procedural gaps
• DQ files and training records complete and audit‑ready
• Workforce is genuinely capable—not just credentialed
• Safety culture is visible, consistent, and proactive

Regulatory Knowledge Required

Working knowledge of DOT, FMCSA (49 CFR Parts 382, 391, 395), state Department of Education school bus standards, and applicable state CDL/Non‑CDL requirements for the assigned location.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in safety management within the transportation industry, with a strong preference for experience in school bus or passenger transportation
• In‑depth knowledge of FMCSA regulations, state pupil transportation laws, OSHA/DOT standards
• Commercial Driver's License

Preferred Qualifications:

• Supervisory experience, specifically in supervising and training a driver workforce
• Commercial Driver's License with Passenger and School Bus Endorsements
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex data and findings clearly
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Director of Pupil Transportation (CDPT), or other relevant safety certifications are preferred
• SBDI (School Bus Driver Instructor) certification
• Prior experience with vehicle camera and monitoring systems

The targeted pay range for this role: $75,000 - $83,000

Zūm Services, Inc. and all its subsidiaries provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.