Transportation Director

Chimacum School District; Chimacum (WA); On-site; USD 97,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

Chimacum School District seeks a Transportation Director to lead the Chimacum-Port Townsend Transportation Cooperative, overseeing fleet management, routing, staffing, field trips, and other transportation needs. This senior role emphasizes safety, reliability, and collaborative problem solving within two districts.

Reporting to the Chimacum Superintendent, the Director partners with districts, families, and staff to balance student needs with resources, ensuring timely and safe student travel

Qualifications

• Requires an AA degree or equivalent plus specialized training in transportation management.
• Minimum 5 years in transportation operations with 2 years supervisory responsibility.
• Experience with student transportation systems is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for the Transportation Cooperative, ensuring safe, reliable, efficient services.
• Plan and supervise dispatchers, bus drivers, mechanics, and other staff.
• Develop and maintain driver training and safety programs.
• Oversee budget development, monitoring, and reporting to district leadership.
• Communicate with district leaders, families, and partners to address transportation needs.

Skills

Transportation operations

Supervisory experience

Budget management

Stakeholder communication

Policy compliance

Education

AA degree or equivalent in transportation management

Tools

Routing software

Dispatch software

Job description

Job Announcement

September 18, 2026

Chimacum-Port Townsend Transportation Co-Op Transportation Director

Work Days: 260 days

Salary Range: $96,615-101,280

Exempt

Reports To

Chimacum Superintendent

Job Summary

The Transportation Director leads the day-to-day work of the Chimacum-Port Townsend Transportation Cooperative, helping ensure that students in both districts get to and from school safely, reliably, and with care. Working under the general supervision of the Chimacum Superintendent and in close partnership with both school districts, the Director oversees all aspects of transportation services, including fleet management and maintenance, routing, dispatch, staffing, field trips, and other special transportation needs.

This is a hands-on leadership position that combines strong operational skills with a sincere commitment to people. The Director supports and supervises transportation staff, coordinates closely with school and district leaders, and communicates regularly with families and other partners. Sound judgment, flexibility, and problem-solving are essential as the Director balances student needs, staff capacity, vehicle availability, safety requirements, and the many moving parts of a multidistrict, rural transportation system.

For many students, the school bus is the first and last part of their school day. The Transportation Director helps ensure that experience reflects the values of both Chimacum and Port Townsend: safe, responsive, collaborative, and centered on students. This senior-level leadership role requires specialized transportation experience, strong judgment, and the ability to build trusting relationships across the Cooperative.

Surrounded by farms and forests at the base of the Olympic Mountains and along the Salish Sea, Chimacum and Port Townsend are proud, connected communities. This position offers the opportunity to lead a strong regional partnership, work alongside dedicated colleagues, and make a meaningful difference for students and families every day.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for the Chimacum-Port Townsend Transportation Cooperative, ensuring transportation services are safe, reliable, efficient, responsive, and aligned with the needs of both school districts.
• Maintain compliance with all applicable school district policies, state and federal laws, OSPI requirements, safety standards, and transportation regulations.
• Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and evaluate the work of Transportation Cooperative staff, with particularly close supervision and support of dispatchers, bus drivers, mechanics, and other transportation personnel.
• Build a positive, professional transportation team through clear expectations, regular communication, coaching, evaluation, problem-solving, and accountability.
• Recruit, select, onboard, train, and retain qualified transportation employees in collaboration with district human resources staff.
• Serve as a lead trainer for school bus drivers and ensure that all required initial, ongoing, and annual driver training, certification, safety meetings, and professional development are completed and documented.
• Develop and maintain strong driver training and safety programs that promote safe driving practices, student safety, emergency preparedness, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
• Develop transportation goals, procedures, schedules, and operating practices that support the priorities of the Cooperative and the needs of both Chimacum and Port Townsend schools.
• Maintain regular communication with leadership from both districts and respond collaboratively to changing enrollment, schedules, programs, extracurricular activities, special education transportation needs, and other operational priorities.
• Plan and oversee regular bus routes, emergency routing, substitute and relief driver assignments, field trips, special transportation requests, and the use of Cooperative vehicles.
• Supervise daily dispatch operations and ensure effective communication among drivers, schools, families, mechanics, administrators, and emergency personnel as needed.
• Work closely with school administrators and families to address transportation concerns, student behavior, routing questions, bus stop concerns, and other transportation-related issues in a timely, respectful, and solution-focused manner.
• Oversee school bus discipline processes in coordination with school administrators and district procedures.
• Manage the Cooperative fleet, including preventive maintenance, repairs, inspections, replacement planning, fuel management, vehicle records, and compliance with state safety requirements.
• Direct and closely supervise the work of transportation mechanics and ensure vehicles are maintained in a safe, reliable, and cost-effective condition.
• Participate in the development and administration of the Transportation Cooperative budget; monitor revenues and expenditures; identify significant variances; and communicate financial needs, risks, and recommendations to district leadership.
• Oversee transportation-related payroll, purchasing, accounts payable, fuel records, timesheets, leave records, and other operational documentation as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate transportation records and data, including routing information, ridership, mileage, staffing, vehicle use, maintenance, and other information required by the districts, OSPI, or other agencies.
• Analyze routes, staffing, fleet utilization, and transportation costs and recommend changes that improve safety, efficiency, service, and long-term sustainability.
• Remain knowledgeable about roads, school boundaries, housing and development changes, construction impacts, and other community conditions that may affect student transportation.
• Stay current with changes in state and federal laws, OSPI requirements, and industry standards affecting student transportation.
• Investigate transportation-related accidents, incidents, and safety concerns and coordinate with district administration, law enforcement, insurance, and risk-management partners as appropriate.
• Work with district leadership to assess road and weather conditions and provide recommendations regarding delays, route modifications, or school closures during inclement weather or emergencies.
• Drive a school bus or provide other operational support when needed to maintain safe and reliable service.
• Provide regular updates to the Chimacum and Port Townsend superintendents regarding Cooperative operations, staffing, safety, finances, fleet condition, emerging needs, and opportunities for improvement.
• Provide an annual report at a joint meeting of the Chimacum and Port Townsend School Boards summarizing Transportation Cooperative operations, accomplishments, staffing, safety, financial performance, fleet needs, service levels, and priorities for the coming year.
• Foster strong relationships among the Cooperative, both school districts, employees, families, students, community partners, and outside agencies.
• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of the effective operation of the Transportation Cooperative.
• Identify and appropriately report safety concerns, hazards, suspicious activity, accidents, or other incidents, and coordinate with school administrators, law enforcement, animal control, emergency services, risk management, or other agencies as appropriate.

Marginal Duties And Responsibilities

• Serve on district, school, cooperative, or community committees and work groups related to transportation, safety, operations, or other district priorities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned that support the effective operation of the Transportation Cooperative.

Supervisory Responsibilities

All Transportation Department staff

Qualifications

• Requires an AA degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university plus specialized training in transportation management or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years with increasingly responsible experience in transportation operations, including 2 years of supervisory responsibility, is required.
• Experience in operation of a student transportation system is desirable.
• Requires skills in organization and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs.
• Requires a working knowledge of pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations affecting the transportation of students.
• Requires thorough knowledge of institutional transportation management, including modern principles and practices for efficient bus routing, as well as effective employee scheduling.
• Requires a thorough knowledge of the procedures, methods and techniques of dispatching and scheduling school buses.
• Requires considerable knowledge of computer operations, database management, and computer-based routing systems and their applications.
• Requires in-depth knowledge of the principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
• Must be able to select, supervise, train and evaluate staff.
• Must be able to plan, organize, direct and coordinate the work of supervisory personnel.
• Requires the ability to schedule, assign and review the work of subordinates in a manner conducive to proficient performance and high morale.
• Must have working knowledge of the budget preparation and administration processes and be able to prepare and administer complex budgets for transportation services. Must also be able to allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner and have the ability to prioritize budget items effectively.
• Requires a strong understanding of the principles of report writing and recordkeeping. Must be able to prepare clear and concise reports.
• Requires the ability to plan, prioritize and assign work in order to meet schedules and timelines.
• Requires very strong written and verbal communication skills in order to interact on both a formal and informal basis with a wide range of contacts within and outside of the school setting. Must be customer service oriented.
• Must have or be able to obtain an in-depth knowledge of the meteorology, geographic and topographic characteristics of the communities served by the District.
• Requires a valid Commercial Driver’s License. Safe driving practices and a clean driving record are essential.
• Attends work regularly.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to work in both office and transportation environments, including sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, and moving throughout transportation facilities and school buses.
• Ability to sit for extended periods, including while driving a school bus or performing administrative duties.
• Ability to safely operate a school bus and other district vehicles, including the arm-hand and leg-foot coordination necessary for vehicle operation.
• Ability to lift and carry materials or equipment weighing up to 50 pounds on a regular or occasional basis and, when necessary, assist with heavier items using appropriate equipment or assistance.
• Ability to provide appropriate assistance to students, including students with disabilities, in accordance with student needs, training, and applicable safety procedures.
• Ability to safely enter, exit, and move through school buses and transportation facilities.
• Ability to perceive and respond appropriately to traffic, road, vehicle, environmental, and student safety conditions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, students, families, school leaders, community members, and emergency or public safety personnel.
• Ability to use computers, communication equipment, transportation systems, and other tools necessary to maintain records and manage transportation operations.

Note:

This description is intended to identify the general nature and level of work performed and is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, skills, physical requirements, or working conditions associated with the position.

Open Until Filled

The district reserves the right to modify, interpret, or apply this job description in any way the district desires. This job description is illustrative and in no way implies that these are the only duties, including essential duties, to be performed by the employee occupying this position. The job requirements are subject to change within the district’s sole discretion to reasonably accommodate qualified disabled individuals.

Chimacum School District Does Not Discriminate In Any Programs Or Activities On The Basis Of Sex, Race, Creed, Religion, Color, National Origin, Honorably Discharged Veteran Or Military Status, Sexual Orientation, Gender Expression, Gender Identity, The Presence Of Any Sensory, Mental, Or Physical Disability, Or The Use Of a Trained Dog Guide Or Service Animal And Provides Equal Access To The Boy Scouts And Other Designated Youth Groups. The Following Employees Have Been Designated To Handle Questions And Complaints Of Alleged Discrimination

• Civil Rights Coordinator: Stephanie McCleary, HR Director, 360.302.5894
• Title IX Coordinator & HIB Compliance Officer: Ryan Stevens, CJSHS Principal, 360.302.5905
• Section 504 & Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator: Sarah Walker, CCP Principal, 360.302.5823

Chimacum School District will also take steps to assure that national origin persons who lack English language skills can participate in all education programs, services and activities. Contact Katie Bensch at (360) 302-582358 for information regarding translation services or transitional bilingual education programs

NOTE: All new employees are required to undergo a criminal history check via fingerprint cards with the Washington State Patrol and FBI. Employment is conditional pending a satisfactory background check.

Chimacum School District is a smoke and drug free workplace which includes nicotine delivering devices