DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION

  

REPORTS TO:  Secretary-Treasurer or Designate

 

UNION STATUS:  Out of Scope

 

LOCATION:  Administration Office

 

START DATE:  As soon as possible

 

HOURS: Regular Full-Time

 

ANNUAL SALARY RANGE:  $128,406 - $145,174 depending on qualifications

 

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT:  English

 

JOB DESCRIPTION REVIEWED:  May 12, 2026

 

Purpose of Position

 

The Pembina Trails School Division’s transportation department is comprised of both in-house and contracted bus drivers.  The Division maintains and owns a fleet of 80 school buses and transports approximately 4,000 students on 130 routes per day.

 

The Director of Transportation is responsible for the planning and administration of all student transportation services for the Division.  The incumbent will work with contract carriers, unionized, non-unionized and school-based staff in providing transportation-wide services.  They will define and implement Division transportation policies and procedures, and respond to inquiries from parent(s), guardian(s), the public and Division staff regarding transportation.

 

Key Responsibilities

 

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

Management and Administrative

• Oversees services provided by in-house bus drivers and contractors.
• Reviews contracts for compliance, evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of contractors, and analyzing the current and future use of contractors.
• Determines and plans the transportation needs for the Division which includes evaluating current routing and scheduling of buses and evaluating requests for added services.
• Oversees the scheduling, implementation, and operation of the approved Division transportation system, including contracted carriers.
• Establishes and promotes the use of technology in routing, maintenance, and management of the Division transportation operation.
• Ensures compliance with federal and provincial regulations.
• Develops guidelines and procedures to ensure the efficient operation of the Division transportation department and recommends policies for Board action.
• Develops and prepares various reports to support decisions needed regarding short and long-term transportation needs including fleet requirements.
• Develops and implements procedures to comply with department reporting requirements and utilizes the data and the key performance indicators to adjust current practices.
• Collaborates with administration in studying demographics, catchment, and boundaries to forecast the Division transportation needs and makes recommendations to meet the needs of the Division.
• Determines emergency plans for Transportation services and providers.
• Ensures the timely response to inquiries from Division staff, colleagues, parent(s), guardian(s), and the public regarding student transportation services.
• Investigates or directs the investigation of service complaints.
• Serves as an ambassador for their area of responsibility with various organizations and groups; represents the Transportation department at meetings and events, delivers presentations regarding transportation concerns/issues.
• Promotes a customer service environment by maintaining liaisons with Division staff, school administrators, and the community to ensure an understanding of local objectives and concerns.
• Contributes to the recommendations made to the Superintendent regarding bus cancellations due to inclement weather or driver shortages.
• Serves as a consultant and member of the Division collective bargaining team as assigned.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned to support the efficient operation of the Transportation Department.

 

Human Resources

• Establishes and maintains a working environment with assigned staff that is respectful of workforce diversity.
• Provides leadership to assigned staff; ensures outcomes and targets are achieved for respective areas of responsibility that are aligned to the strategic priorities of the Division.
• Provides management, leadership, and training to staff.
• Supervises staff in accordance with Division policies, procedures, Collective Agreements and Workplace Safety Regulations and other related regulations.
• Coaches, mentors, and provides career development advice to staff. Supervises and manages the team’s overall performance and provides related development opportunities and support.
• Oversees staff scheduling including employee training, employee vacations, overtime approval, etc.
• Establishes employee goals and conducts employee performance reviews.
• Resolves complaints/disputes informally and/or formally as required.
• Participates with Human Resources in the recruitment process.

 

Financial

• Plans, prepares, tracks, and adheres to the Division transportation budget, which includes overseeing expenditures and ensuring accountability of funds.
• Provides general support and training in procedures related to accounting for transportation staff, ensuring the balancing of data between manual and automated systems, and conducting regular audits on the budget functions.
• Administers the Division contracts with third-party providers.
• Designs and monitors the assessment, invoicing and collection of seat sale fees.
• Plans and coordinates the RFP for contracted carriers, supplies and maintenance services as needed.

 

Skills and Qualifications

 

Skill and Knowledge – Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration or another related field and five years of management level experience in transportation services/operations, or a similar relevant industry, or an equivalent combination of skills and experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Outlook).
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to work under pressure, multi-task and prioritize.
• Solid leadership experience, including proven ability to develop, coach, and mentor teams.
• Excellent customer service skills with the proven ability to defuse conflict and deal with complaints and concerns effectively and professionally.
• Previous experience managing employees in a unionized environment, including experience interpreting and applying collective agreement provisions.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Strong communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills.

 

Skill and Knowledge – Desired:

• Experience in a large urban school Division or public transportation system.
• Knowledge in the areas of driver training, bus repair and maintenance, and safety education principles.
• Possess or have the ability to attain a Manitoba Class 2 driver’s license or better.
• Knowledge of regulations governing the transportation of students to and from schools.
• First Aid and Child CPR training.
• Ability to learn and understand the routing and scheduling systems and other related software as warranted.

 

 

Conditions of Employment

• Police Information Check
• Child Abuse Registry Check
• Completion of Commit to Kids or Respect in Schools training

• New Employee Safety Orientation
• Accessible Customer Service and Accessible Employment
• Code of Conduct

• Class 5 Driver's License and reliable vehicle.

 

Working Conditions & Physical Demands 

• Work is performed mainly in an office environment, however, may also work on a school bus and in an outdoor environment.
• May experience frequent interruptions.
• May be required to travel to the various schools within the Division.
• May be exposed to fumes, dust, odors, oil/grease and seasonal heat, cold and adverse weather conditions, while performing the duties of this position.

Applications should be submitted online by May 28, 2026.