Safety Manager

This position is being recruited in support of a pending Essex County paratransit contract opportunity. Employment is contingent upon First Student being awarded the contract. Candidates may be contacted and interviewed prior to the contract award; however, an employment start date will not be confirmed until the award and implementation timeline are finalized.

At First Student, safety is the foundation of everything we do. Our Safety Managers work directly with drivers, operations leaders, and employees to strengthen safety performance, improve training, and ensure our transportation services meet regulatory and company standards.

This position will support the Essex County Paratransit operation, a 47-vehicle community transportation program serving passengers throughout the area.

The Safety Manager is responsible for overseeing driver safety, training, regulatory compliance, accident investigation, and ongoing employee development for the Essex County Paratransit operation.

This role provides hands-on safety leadership and driver instruction while supporting safe, compliant, and professional transportation service.

The successful candidate will bring significant experience in transportation safety and driver training, along with a strong understanding of paratransit operations, defensive driving, ADA transportation requirements, and passenger assistance.

• Lead and support the location’s safety and driver training programs.
• Provide initial, refresher, remedial, and ongoing training to drivers and transportation employees.
• Conduct behind-the-wheel driver instruction and safety evaluations.
• Train employees on defensive driving techniques and safe vehicle operation.
• Provide instruction on passenger assistance techniques and proper passenger securement procedures.
• Train employees on ADA transportation requirements and accessibility standards.
• Conduct accident and safety-event investigations and maintain appropriate documentation.
• Identify safety trends and recommend corrective actions to reduce risk and improve performance.
• Coach drivers and employees following safety events, observations, or performance concerns.
• Monitor driver performance and compliance with established safety standards.
• Support employee qualification and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Maintain required safety, training, and driver documentation.
• Assist with safety meetings, employee development, and ongoing safety initiatives.
• Work closely with operations leadership to address safety concerns and improve overall performance.
• Promote a strong safety culture throughout the Essex County Paratransit operation.
• Perform additional safety, training, and operational responsibilities as required.

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in one or more of the following: Transportation safety Driver training Community transportation Paratransit operations Public transportation Commercial vehicle operations or a closely related transportation field
• Demonstrated experience with: Driver instruction Accident investigation Safety management Regulatory compliance Defensive driving Passenger assistance techniques ADA transportation requirements Employee training
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to effectively coach and train employees with varying levels of experience.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Ability to identify safety concerns and implement appropriate corrective action.
• Ability to work collaboratively with drivers, operations leadership, customers, and regulatory partners.

• Must possess and maintain a valid New Jersey Commercial Driver License (CDL).
• Must maintain an acceptable driving record and remain qualified to operate applicable company vehicles.

• Position is full-time and on-site.
• Role will involve work in office, classroom, vehicle, and transportation operating environments.
• Must be able to conduct behind-the-wheel training and driver evaluations.
• Must be able to work in and around paratransit vehicles and transportation facilities.
• Some outdoor work may be required in varying weather conditions.

This position offers the opportunity to directly influence driver performance, passenger safety, employee development, and the overall success of a 47-vehicle paratransit operation.

If you have extensive transportation safety and driver-training experience and are committed to building a strong safety culture, we encourage you to apply and join First Student.

Language Requirement
This role requires English proficiency. Federal, state, and local requirements, including U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, require training, safety communications, company policies, employment documents, and other job-related communications be conducted in English.

First for a reason:

At First Student, we are a family of 60,000+ employees who take pride in safely transporting more than 5 million students and passengers to and from their destinations each day! Our family of brands include Transco, Total Transportation, Maggies Paratransit, and GVC II. Our employees are at the forefront of safety and innovation; they create and implement the most advanced training and technology the transportation industry has to offer.

In the state of Washington, all technician and driving positions, including but not limited to van drivers and any other position requiring employees to drive a company-owned vehicle, are considered safety-sensitive and are therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing, including cannabis.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. First is also committed to providing a drug-free workplace. First will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, and any other fair chance law. Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance Poster is at this link or upon request https://www.phila.gov/media/20210423160847/Fair-Chance-Hiring-law-poster.pdf.