TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Status: Full-Time; 12 months (260 days), Union-Exempt Manager
Salary: $92,000 - 115,000
Benefits AvailablePOSITION OVERVIEW The Assistant Director of Transportation - Student Management supports the Director of Transportation in the administration and daily operation of the Moses Lake School District Transportation Department, with primary responsibility for student behavior, driver support, parent communication, and student-centered transportation practices.
Working under the direction of the Director of Transportation, this position provides leadership and support to school bus drivers and bus driver assistants in managing student behavior and maintaining safe, respectful, and orderly transportation environments. The position develops and delivers professional development, assists drivers in identifying effective strategies for challenging student behaviors, responds to student discipline concerns, and works collaboratively with families, school administrators, special education staff, and other district personnel to resolve transportation-related concerns.
The Assistant Director of Transportation - Student Management serves as a resource and problem-solving partner for transportation staff. The position promotes consistent expectations and practices across the transportation system while recognizing the individual needs of students and supporting drivers in maintaining safe and effective bus environments.
QUALIFICATIONS - Central Washington University Transportation Management Certification or willingness to obtain.
- Minimum three (3) years of transportation experience.
- Minimum two (2) years of supervisory experience preferred.
- Valid Washington State driver's license.
- Washington State Class B Commercial Driver License with appropriate endorsements or ability to obtain.
- Current First Aid/CPR certification or ability to obtain.
- Successful completion of required background screening.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES - Knowledge of effective strategies for preventing, de-escalating, and responding to student behavior concerns.
- Understanding of age-appropriate student behavior and the developmental needs of children and adolescents.
- Ability to coach and support drivers and bus driver assistants in addressing challenging student behaviors.
- Ability to remain calm, professional, and solution-focused when responding to difficult or emotionally charged situations.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to build positive working relationships with drivers, bus driver assistants, students, parents, school administrators, and district staff.
- Ability to investigate and resolve student discipline and transportation concerns fairly and consistently.
- Ability to distinguish between transportation-related discipline concerns and matters that require intervention or follow-up by school administrators.
- Ability to maintain appropriate confidentiality regarding student, family, and employee information.
- Ability to facilitate professional development and staff training.
- Ability to document incidents, concerns, interventions, parent contacts, and resolutions accurately.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively to urgent student and transportation concerns.
- Knowledge of district policies, procedures, and expectations related to student conduct and transportation.
- Proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, student information systems, transportation software, and other district systems as needed.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Student Behavior and Driver Support
- Serve as the primary transportation department resource for student behavior management and student-related concerns occurring on school buses.
- Support drivers and bus driver assistants in developing and implementing effective strategies for managing student behavior.
- Coach transportation staff on proactive classroom-management and behavior-support strategies that can be applied in the transportation setting.
- Assist drivers in identifying patterns or triggers contributing to recurring student behavior concerns and develop appropriate strategies for addressing them.
- Provide real-time problem solving and consultation to drivers when significant or recurring student behavior concerns arise.
- Assist transportation staff with de-escalation strategies and appropriate responses to challenging or disruptive behavior.
- Promote consistent expectations and behavior-management practices across transportation routes.
- Support drivers in maintaining safe, respectful, and orderly bus environments.
- Collaborate with school staff when student behavior concerns require coordinated intervention.
Student Discipline
- Receive, review, and investigate transportation-related student discipline referrals and incident reports.
- Determine appropriate transportation-based interventions consistent with district policies, procedures, and administrative direction.
- Coordinate with school administrators regarding student behavior that may require school-based disciplinary action.
- Communicate transportation consequences and expectations to students and families when appropriate.
- Maintain accurate records of transportation-related student discipline and interventions.
- Monitor recurring behavior concerns and identify students or routes requiring additional support.
- Recommend changes to transportation arrangements when necessary to address safety or behavioral concerns.
- Participate in meetings involving students, families, school staff, and transportation personnel to develop solutions to ongoing transportation concerns.
- Ensure student discipline practices are applied consistently, fairly, and in a manner that prioritizes student and staff safety.
Parent and Family Relations
- Respond to parent and guardian questions, concerns, and complaints related to student behavior and transportation services.
- Serve as a point of contact for families when transportation-related student behavior concerns require follow-up.
- Investigate parent concerns and communicate findings and next steps in a timely and professional manner.
- Work to resolve concerns before they escalate while maintaining appropriate boundaries regarding district procedures and staff responsibilities.
- Partner with school administrators and other district personnel when concerns involve multiple departments or require coordinated intervention.
- Document significant parent contacts, concerns, and resolutions.
Professional Development and Staff Training
- Develop and provide ongoing professional development for school bus drivers and bus driver assistants focused on student behavior and student management.
- Provide training on proactive behavior strategies, de-escalation, conflict resolution, communication, and maintaining appropriate boundaries with students.
- Incorporate practical scenarios and role-playing activities that reflect common challenges encountered on school buses.
- Provide targeted coaching or follow-up training when individual drivers or routes demonstrate recurring student-management concerns.
- Coordinate with district specialists, school administrators, special education staff, counselors, and other appropriate personnel to develop relevant training.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of professional development and adjust training based on emerging needs and recurring transportation concerns.
- Support the onboarding and orientation of new drivers and bus driver assistants regarding student expectations and behavior-management practices.
Collaboration with Schools and District Staff
- Establish effective working relationships with principals, assistant principals, special education personnel, counselors, teachers, and other staff involved in supporting students.
- Collaborate with school teams regarding students whose behavior significantly affects transportation safety or service.
- Participate in student support, problem-solving, and behavior meetings when transportation input is appropriate.
- Communicate relevant transportation concerns to school staff while maintaining student confidentiality.
- Assist in developing coordinated approaches for students who require consistent expectations across the school and transportation environments.
- Serve as a liaison between the Transportation Department and schools regarding student transportation behavior concerns.
Transportation Operations
- Assist with the daily management of transportation operations as assigned by the Director of Transportation.
- Provide support during operational disruptions, emergencies, and situations involving significant student behavior or safety concerns.
- Assist with route and driver assignments when student behavior or safety concerns require changes.
- Monitor transportation operations to identify trends, recurring concerns, and opportunities for improvement.
- Assist with transportation investigations, incident follow-up, and corrective action as assigned.
- Support compliance with district policies, state pupil transportation requirements, and established safety procedures.
- Drive a school bus when operationally necessary and as assigned.
Documentation and Data Management
- Maintain accurate and confidential records related to student behavior, discipline, parent concerns, interventions, and transportation incidents.
- Track recurring student behavior concerns and identify trends that may inform training, operational changes, or additional student support.
- Prepare reports and summaries for the Director of Transportation regarding student management concerns and department trends.
- Maintain documentation necessary to support district procedures and decision-making.
- Use transportation and student information systems to review relevant information and document interventions.
Leadership and Department Support
- Promote a positive, student-centered culture within the Transportation Department.
- Model professional, respectful, and solution-focused communication.
- Assist the Director of Transportation with personnel matters, investigations, conflict resolution, and employee performance concerns as assigned.
- Provide leadership and support to transportation staff during challenging situations.
- Serve as acting Director of Transportation in the Director's absence when assigned.
- Assist with department meetings, planning, training, and continuous improvement activities.
- Respond to emergencies outside normal work hours as needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
WORK CONDITIONS - Frequent interaction with students, school bus drivers, bus driver assistants, parents and guardians, school administrators, district staff, and community members.
- Regular exposure to challenging or emotionally charged student and family situations requiring professional judgment and effective communication.
- Work may occur in transportation facilities, schools, buses, and other district locations.
- Evening and occasional weekend work as needed.
- Availability during emergencies, adverse weather conditions, and significant transportation disruptions.
- Ability to enter and move throughout school buses and transportation facilities.
- Occasional travel for professional development, meetings, and district business.
PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS The Assistant Director of Transportation - Student Management is expected to:
- Prioritize student and staff safety in all transportation-related decisions.
- Provide timely, respectful, and solution-focused support to drivers and bus driver assistants.
- Promote consistent and appropriate student behavior expectations across transportation services.
- Build constructive relationships with families and school personnel.
- Address concerns proactively before they escalate whenever possible.
- Maintain accurate documentation and appropriate confidentiality.
- Use data, incident trends, and staff feedback to identify professional development and operational needs.
- Support a transportation environment in which drivers and bus driver assistants feel equipped and supported in managing student behavior effectively.
- Demonstrate sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion in all interactions with students, families, and employees.
