Description

Assistant Transportation Manager – Special Needs Transportation

Palmer Bus Service | Shakopee, MN

Job Purpose

The Assistant Transportation Manager supports the Site Manager in overseeing the safe, efficient, and reliable transportation of students in the Shakopee area, with a primary focus on special needs transportation services for Shakopee Schools. This position assists with daily operations, driver supervision, routing, scheduling, safety compliance, and communication with school district personnel, parents, guardians, and employees.

The Assistant Manager is expected to treat all students, families, employees, and community members with professionalism, respect, and dignity while upholding Palmer Bus Service’s core values.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Assist the Site Manager with planning, coordinating, and overseeing daily transportation operations to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable service.
• Support the coordination and management of special needs transportation services for Shakopee Schools, ensuring routes and services meet student needs, district expectations, and contractual requirements.
• Assist with routing, scheduling, driver assignments, and route adjustments to maintain efficient operations and accommodate changing student transportation needs.
• Help recruit, hire, onboard, train, supervise, and support transportation personnel. Assist with employee coaching, performance management, and disciplinary processes as needed.
• Help maintain positive employee morale and promote a professional, respectful, clean, and safe working environment.
• Assist with coordinating specialized transportation arrangements, including student-specific transportation requirements, pickup and drop-off procedures, and communication of relevant transportation instructions to drivers.
• Work with school district staff, parents, and guardians to address transportation concerns, student needs, route changes, and service issues in a timely and professional manner.
• Support driver training, safety programs, and compliance requirements. Assist with completing required behind-the-wheel evaluations and ensuring drivers maintain appropriate certifications.
• Help ensure all required driver documentation, including personnel files, medical certifications, drug and alcohol testing records, and other compliance documents, are completed and maintained accurately and on time.
• Assist with monitoring fleet maintenance, vehicle inspections, and preventive maintenance schedules to ensure all vehicles are safe, clean, and compliant with applicable regulations.
• Assist with administrative functions, including new-hire processing, payroll, billing, recordkeeping, and other reporting requirements as assigned.
• Respond to transportation-related incidents, accidents, complaints, and emergencies during and outside standard business hours as needed. Communicate concerns to the Site Manager and appropriate leadership.
• Assist the Site Manager and school district personnel with transportation decisions related to inclement weather, school delays, closures, and other service disruptions.
• Collaborate with the Site Manager, school district staff, drivers, aides, vendors, and other Palmer Bus Service personnel to maintain effective transportation services.
• Assist with developing and implementing short- and long-term transportation plans to improve service, efficiency, safety, and student access to school.
• Help maintain accurate personnel, safety, vehicle, and operational records in accordance with company policies and applicable regulations.
• Promote and uphold Palmer Bus Service’s purpose, mission, and core values.
• Keep the Site Manager informed of operational concerns, employee issues, safety matters, and other challenges that may affect transportation services.
• Perform duties independently when delegated by the Site Manager and provide operational support during the Site Manager’s absence as needed.

Other Functions

• Attend professional development and training activities to maintain knowledge of transportation regulations, safety practices, and special needs transportation procedures.
• Assist with covering school bus, van, or other transportation assignments when needed and properly qualified.
• Assist with dispatching, answering phones, communicating route changes, and coordinating daily transportation coverage as needed.
• Support the coordination and oversight of transportation aides and drivers assigned to special needs routes.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support the efficient and effective operation of the Shakopee location.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge-Based Competencies

• Prior supervisory, leadership, or transportation operations experience preferred.
• Experience working with school transportation, special needs transportation, or student services preferred.
• Knowledge of employee onboarding, training, coaching, and performance management.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Minnesota Commercial Driver’s License with passenger, school bus, and air brake endorsements, as required for the position.
• Knowledge of school bus licensing, driver qualification requirements, behind-the-wheel training, and applicable transportation regulations.
• Familiarity with Minnesota Department of Transportation inspection requirements and vehicle safety standards.
• Ability to understand and follow student-specific transportation procedures, confidentiality requirements, and safety protocols.
• Proficiency with computers and Google Workspace, including Google Drive.

Skill-Based Competencies

• Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
• Effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with employees, school district personnel, parents, guardians, and community members.
• Ability to supervise, motivate, coach, and support employees.
• Ability to coordinate schedules, routes, and staffing while responding to changing operational needs.
• Ability to manage sensitive situations involving students, families, and employees with patience, professionalism, and discretion.
• Ability to identify opportunities for process improvement and support implementation of effective solutions.
• Strong attention to detail when maintaining records, schedules, and compliance documentation.

Ability-Based Competencies

• Self-motivated and dependable, with strong organizational and leadership skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with the Site Manager while taking ownership of assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and focused during stressful or unexpected situations.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, confidentiality, tact, and diplomacy.
• Ability to prioritize competing responsibilities and respond effectively to time-sensitive transportation needs.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with individuals at all levels of the organization and school community.
• Ability to support a team-oriented environment focused on safety, accountability, dignity, and service.
• Commitment to providing safe, respectful, and reliable transportation for students with diverse needs.
• Thorough understanding of safety practices, accident prevention, and the importance of following established transportation procedures.

Requirements

Physical Requirements

The position generally works in an office and garage environment and may be required to drive school buses, vans, or other company vehicles as needed and when properly licensed and qualified. The role may require entering and exiting vehicles, walking through the terminal and vehicle areas, and assisting with transportation operations in varying weather conditions.

The position may also require occasional flexibility in working hours to address transportation needs, operational issues, and emergencies.

Requirements

Physical Requirements

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: 

• The position generally works in an office and garage environment and may drive school buses as needed.