Safety Operations Manager

Impactribe Ltd; Rochester (MN); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Paid time off

401(k) matching

Job summary

Via is seeking a Safety Operations Manager to oversee driver safety programs, lead in-person and virtual training, and support market operations to meet the highest safety and service standards.

Responsibilities include post-incident reviews, safety audits, ride-alongs, and development of training programs with focus on wheelchair safety, defensive driving, and passenger assistance. Strong leadership and DOT knowledge required.

Qualifications

• CDL with passenger endorsement required.
• 3+ years in driver training, operations management, or field supervision.
• Proven ability to coach, motivate, and manage performance among diverse driver teams.
• Strong understanding of safety protocols, ADA requirements, and DOT regulations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to train and inspire adult learners.
• Comfort balancing field work with administrative and compliance tasks.
• Proficiency with digital tools (LMS platforms, dashboards, spreadsheets, etc.)

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary safety lead for the service - conducting post-incident reviews, safety audits, and ride-alongs to ensure compliance with company and regulatory standards.
• Monitor trends in safety data and collaborate with central operations to identify opportunities for proactive coaching or process improvements.
• Support and occasionally act as the Designated Employer Representative (DER) for DOT compliance, ensuring accurate recordkeeping and timely follow-up on testing or incidents.
• Lead root cause analyses for accidents and incidents and develop corrective action plans.
• Design, deliver, and continually improve driver training programs - including onboarding, remedial, and refresher sessions - with a strong focus on safety, defensive driving, and passenger assistance.
• Provide hands‑on instruction in: Wheelchair Securement & Passenger Sensitivity, Defensive Driving, De‑escalation & Customer Interaction, CPR/First Aid & Emergency Procedures
• Evaluate driver performance through ride‑alongs, skills assessments, and feedback sessions.
• Maintain training documentation, certifications, and compliance records.
• Conduct regular ride along’s to observe service quality, reinforce training, and coach drivers in real‑world conditions.
• Serve as a visible leader across markets - fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and support.
• Partner with operations, safety, and compliance teams to align local practices with company‑wide goals.
• Assist in driver scheduling for trainings and ensure operational readiness.
• Support reporting and communication between field teams and central operations

Skills

Coaching & leadership

Safety training

Communication

Adult learning

Education

CDL with passenger endorsement

Tools

LMS platforms

Dashboards

Spreadsheets

Job description

Via is using technology to transform transportation around the world. From changing a single person’s daily commute to reducing humanity’s collective environmental footprint — we’ve got huge goals.

Via has partnered with 100+ cities and public transit agencies around the world to deploy our mobility technology. As the Safety Operations Manager, you will oversee driver safety programs, lead in-person and virtual training, and support market operations to ensure our drivers meet the highest standards of safety and service.

What You’ll Do:

• Serve as the primary safety lead for the service - conducting post-incident reviews, safety audits, and ride-alongs to ensure compliance with company and regulatory standards.
• Monitor trends in safety data and collaborate with central operations to identify opportunities for proactive coaching or process improvements.
• Support and occasionally act as the Designated Employer Representative (DER) for DOT compliance, ensuring accurate recordkeeping and timely follow-up on testing or incidents.
• Lead root cause analyses for accidents and incidents and develop corrective action plans.
• Design, deliver, and continually improve driver training programs - including onboarding, remedial, and refresher sessions - with a strong focus on safety, defensive driving, and passenger assistance.
• Provide hands‑on instruction in:
• Wheelchair Securement & Passenger Sensitivity
• Defensive Driving
• De‑escalation & Customer Interaction
• CPR/First Aid & Emergency Procedures
• Evaluate driver performance through ride‑alongs, skills assessments, and feedback sessions.
• Maintain training documentation, certifications, and compliance records.
• Conduct regular ride along’s to observe service quality, reinforce training, and coach drivers in real‑world conditions.
• Serve as a visible leader across markets - fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and support.
• Partner with operations, safety, and compliance teams to align local practices with company‑wide goals.
• Assist in driver scheduling for trainings and ensure operational readiness.
• Support reporting and communication between field teams and central operations

Who You Are:

• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with passenger endorsement required.
• 3+ years of experience in driver training, operations management, or field supervision, preferably in fixed route and paratransit settings.
• Proven ability to coach, motivate, and manage performance among diverse driver teams.
• Strong understanding of safety protocols, ADA requirements, and DOT regulations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to train and inspire adult learners.
• Comfort balancing field work with administrative and compliance tasks.
• Proficiency with digital tools (LMS platforms, dashboards, spreadsheets, etc)

Certifications & Professional Development:

We will support continued professional development and certification renewal, including:

• PASS (Passenger Assistance Safety and Sensitivity)
• LLLC Defensive Driving
• CPR/First Aid
• De‑escalation Training
• Other state- or service‑specific certifications as needed.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Salary Range: $75,000 - $85,000 / year
• Final salary will be determined based on experience, knowledge, and skills.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical coverage, paid time off, and 401(k) matching.
• Opportunities for certification, advancement, and leadership development.

Ready to join the ride?

Via is an equal opportunity employer.