Provides overall leadership and direction for the transportation department of Seattle Public Schools; and ensures that the safety of our students is always the #1 priority of the transportation department. Primary responsibility is to plan, direct, coordinate, and oversee all functions pertaining to transportation operations that include 350+ drivers; and to develop a safe, efficient, and economical transportation system for all eligible students in the district (2021-22 Student Population - 50,187; 20% bus riders). It is also the expectation of the Transportation Director to play a significant role in the strategic partnership with our transportation provider and all associated labor partners.

15%

• Interprets, monitors, and ensures District compliance with federal, state and local laws, regulations and safety standards for transportation.
• Ensures that imminent process changes are implemented in accordance with current protocols and always displays seamless adaptability capabilities to engage ever-changing safety standards.
• Plans, develops, coordinates, assigns and evaluates the work of transportation department staff.
• Establishes system goals and objectives in accordance with District policies.

15%

• Maintains a positive public relations program designed to promote understanding of and support for the district’s transportation program and the district.
• Meets with parents, the community, and outside agencies as appropriate to support the delivery of quality service.
• Maintains acceptable student management behavior standards on all buses.

15%

• Strategic leadership in partnering with district’s external transportation partner.
• Partners with and supports the district’s Labor Relations Director on key transportation partner labor items.
• Serves as a member of the district’s bargaining team for labor contract negotiations involving Transportation staff.
• Accesses current system operations and establishes service quality standards.
• Develops support services to improve operations and to maximize system efficiency and cost effectiveness.
• Evaluates transportation services and makes changes as required.
• Recommends closure of schools due to inclement weather.

5%

• Oversees services provided by contractors and evaluates their effectiveness, and efficiency.
• Reviews contracts for compliance.
• Negotiates bus service contracts.
• Prepares transportation bid specification documents.
• Evaluates bids and makes contract award recommendations in compliance with District procurement guidelines.
• Administers contracts, ensures monitoring of services, and implements sanctions for poor service, as required.

10%

• Plans, prepares, tracks and recommends transportation budget.
• Oversees expenditures and ensures accountability of funds.
• Provides general support and training to all transportation staff in procedures related to accounting, reconciliation and balancing of data.
• Regularly audits budget functions.
• Maintains complete and accurate records of the operations of the transportation department and submits required reports on time.

5%

• Recommends policies for Board action.
• Develops guidelines and procedures governing establishment and operation of the District transportation systems.
• Ensures that transportation services are provided in compliance with federal, state and local regulations and statutory, legal requirements.
• Maintains knowledge and expertise in assigned fields.

5%

• Approves employment changes in status, promotions, transfers, disciplinary action of transportation department employees.
• Evaluates performance of subordinate professional, clerical and supervisory staff.
• Ensures training and cross-training, as appropriate.

20%

• Strategic planning for short-term and long-term transportation needs.
• Provides leadership to the Transportation team to ensure that operations of assigned services and programs are coordinated with other District organizational units.
• Works with other departments.
• Reports information and ensures the accuracy and integrity of data.

5%

• Maintains and updates knowledge and skills necessary for success in the position by participating in professional development activities.
• Represents Seattle in state and local organizations that will benefit the department.

5%

• Manages special projects and performs related duties as assigned.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• May perform related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

DISTRICT WIDE CORE COMPETENCIES:

Collaboration

Develops cooperation and teamwork while participating in a group, working toward solutions which generally benefit all involved parties.

• Is seen as a team player who encourages efficient and effective collaborations.
• Works skillfully in difficult situations with both internal and external groups.
• Represents his/her own interests while being open-minded to other groups.
• Builds respectful and productive relationships internally and externally.

Getting Results (Action Oriented)

Performs work with energy and drive; values planning, but will take quick, decisive action when an opportunity presents itself.

• Demonstrates a strong sense of urgency about solving problems and getting work done.
• Focuses on achieving the goal even in the face of obstacles.
• Assumes responsibility for starting and finishing work with minimal supervision.
• Strives for new levels of performance.

Decision Quality & Problem Solving

Uses analysis, wisdom, experience and logical methods to make good decisions and solve difficult problems with effective solutions; appropriately incorporates multiple inputs to establish shared ownership and effective action.

• Weighs the consequences of options before making a decision.
• Applies appropriate criteria to situations for the purpose of making decisions.
• Displays self-confidence in own judgment.
• Focuses in the facts and solutions instead of opinions and problems.

Integrity

Is widely trusted; is seen as a direct, truthful individual; presents truthful information in an appropriate and helpful manner; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; doesn't misrepresent him/herself for personal gain.

• Deals with people and situations in an honest and forthright manner.
• Represents information and data accurately and completely.
• Represents the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others.
• Takes ownership if a mistake is their own and does not blame others.

Accountability

Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely and cost-effective results; determines objectives, sets priorities and delegates work; accepts responsibility for mistakes; complies with established control systems and rules.

• Takes responsibility and action as if the risks (financial or otherwise) are his or her own.
• Holds individuals and team accountable for their actions and results.
• Initiates action even if outcome is uncertain and is willing to accept the consequences of failure.
• Aligns own activities and priorities to meet broader organizational needs.
• Demonstrates courage and confidence in his or her own ability.

RELEVANT COMPETENCIES:

Managerial Courage

Tactfully dispenses direct and actionable feedback; is open and direct with others without being intimidating; deals head- on with people problems and uncomfortable situations

• Let's people know where they stand and faces up to people problems quickly, directly and respectfully.
• Responds constructively to challenging situations or people even under stress.
• Does not hold back on anything that needs be said or done in a productive and constructive way.

Organizational Agility

Knowledgeable about how organizations work; gets things done both through formal and informal channels; effectively maneuvers through complex political situations.

• Understands the interests, motivations, and agendas of others.
• Uses the "informal" channels to get things done without creating problems with the "formal" channels.
• Demonstrates an understanding and consideration of how actions may impact stakeholders.
• Makes comments that move the group or situations towards a productive outcome.

Organizing

Can marshal resources (people, funding, material, support) to get things done; can orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal, uses resources effectively and efficiently, arranges information and files in a useful manner

• Identifies and prioritizes critical activities and tasks to achieve results.
• Ensures that materials and information are prepared to maximize productivity.
• Knows how to get things done both through formal and informal channels.

Customer Focus

Commits to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external stakeholders; acts with stakeholders in mind; values importance of providing high- quality customer service.

• Makes customers and their needs a primary focus of his/her actions.
• Thinks ahead and considers the impact of actions both internally and externally.
• Develops trust, credibility, and maintains strong relationships with customers.
• Goes the extra mile to satisfy customer needs and expectations.

Developing Others

Is a people builder; provides challenging and stretching tasks and assignments; constructs compelling development plans and executes them; pushes direct reports to accept development moves

• Gives people assignments that help to develop their abilities
• Works collaboratively with direct reports to set meaningful performance objects
• Meets regularly with direct reports to review developmental progress.
• Recognizes and reinforces developmental efforts and improvements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of laws rules, and regulations governing school district transportation.
• Transportation, labor relations and partnership experience are key.
• Driver training and safety education principles.
• Ability to supervise assigned staff.
• Skill in decision-making and problem solving.
• Work under pressure.
• Research and apply analytical techniques.
• Strong oral and written communications.
• Team building.
• Collaborative processes and problem-solving.
• Conceptual and analytical thinking.
• Customer relations.
• Proficiency with Word and Excel.
• Interpret and apply state statutes and District policies regarding transportation activities.
• Evaluate and determine capability of vendors to perform services based on multiple variables.
• Effectively supervise staff.
• Supervise negotiations with vendors.
• Interpret, explain, enforce and apply state statutes and District policies and procedures for transportation.
• Effectively represent the District.
• Adapt to change and remain flexible while upholding all applicable laws and District policies and procedures.
• Troubleshoot complex problems and develop action plans to correct.
• Coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.
• Set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Use time effectively and efficiently.
• Make decisions in a timely manner.
• Work effectively under pressure.
• Maintain integrity of data and information.
• Maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment.

EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION:

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Five (5) to eight (8) years of experience in a large public agency managing transportation regulations and staff, preferably in a large urban school district or for a large public transportation system; Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Transportation, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work will be considered.

CERTIFICATION & LICENSES:

Pupil Transportation Management Certificated. WA Certified DriverTrainer, National Special Needs Certification preferred.

CLEARANCES:

Criminal Justice fingerprint and background check