Executive Director of Transportation

ORGANIZATION
Livingston Educational Service Agency
LOCATION
Howell, MI
SALARY
$97,375 - $123,000

summary

The Agency is seeking a distinguished leader with a warm-hearted character that will inspire their teams, care for employees of the Agency, and ensure the success of our services and collaborative programs. This person will be a key advisor to the Superintendent and will primarily oversee the Regional Transportation Collaborative, which includes Brighton, Hartland, Howell, and Pinckney Schools, and the Agency’s Specialized Transportation Department. This person will have unquestioned ethics and integrity and will be responsible for continuing the excellent reputation earned by the Agency for strong levels of safety, compliance, and using an innovative spirit to find a way to say “yes” rather than “no”.

Position Responsibilities

• Ensure that every transportation decision and service reflects the agency’s commitment to responsiveness, collaboration, and supports students, families, and partner districts.

• Oversee and continually strengthen the Livingston County Regional Transportation Collaborative, maintaining a culture of shared efficiency, consistency, and mutual support among member districts.

• Lead and develop a cohesive, empowered supervisory team that models high standards of communication, accountability, and customer service.

• Ensure that mechanics and garage operations function with exceptional efficiency, safety, and reliability, prioritizing preventive maintenance and timely repairs to keep the fleet in top condition.

• Support a dispatch and routing team that is highly professional, community-minded, and service-oriented—responsive to staff, families, and district needs.

• Oversee the development and implementation of short- and long-range capital replacement plans for school buses and transportation facilities, maintaining fiscal responsibility and alignment with safety and sustainability goals.

• Administer all transportation services provided and coordinated by the Agency, including the Regional Transportation Collaborative, Special Education and Head Start programs, and parent-supported transportation—in full compliance with Public Act 187 of 1990 and all applicable federal and state regulations.

• Serve as the Agency’s representative to the Training Agency Association of Michigan (TAAM), ensuring that Livingston County’s transportation operations model excellence in safety, training, and professionalism statewide.

• Develop and sustain high-quality training and certification programs for drivers, emphasizing TAAM standards, customer service, and continuous improvement in safety and communication.

• Lead innovative strategies for driver recruitment, onboarding, recognition, and retention to maintain a stable, motivated, and skilled workforce.

• Actively engage with parents, community members, and district leaders to address transportation concerns in a timely, empathetic, and solutions-focused manner.

• Monitor and analyze operational data to guide decision-making, identify opportunities for improvement, and prepare reports on cost-effectiveness, performance, and service impact.

• Ensure compliance with all Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements, including licensing, substance-abuse testing, physicals, and recordkeeping; serve as the Agency’s Designated Employer Representative (DER).

• Collaborate with local superintendents and administrators on weather-related decisions, route adjustments, and emergency communication.

• Participate as a member of the Agency’s Executive Leadership Team, contributing to cross-departmental initiatives and helping ensure that all Agency operations are student-centered, equitable, and efficient.

• Support a culture of professionalism, respect, and teamwork, foster continuous learning, clear communication, and service excellence at every level of the department.

• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervises employees in the Special Education Department as assigned.

• Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these units.

• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.

• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

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Qualifications

• Previous management experience required.

• Minimum of five (5) years of successful transportation department management in a school setting.

• A strong background in the transportation of students with special needs and students in Head Start programs.

• All training and supervisory continuing education requirements for Transportation Directors as established in Public Act 187 of 1990 and subsequent revisions.

• Possess (or willingness to obtain) a current Transportation Director Certificate from MSBO.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Required

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of staff, parent, and the general public.

• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, percentile ranks, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Ability to evaluate data relative to children demonstrating learning and/or behavioral difficulties to support staff and parents with appropriate interventions. Analyze and use student-level data to inform decisions.

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to perform operations requiring sustained directed thinking to analyze, solve, or plan highly variable, professional, or technical tasks involving complex problems or mechanisms. High order of analytical, interpretative, and constructive thinking in varied situations covering multiple areas of the organization and external agencies.

• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment. Sustained concentration and attention to detail and accuracy. Ability to prioritize and manage workload and deadlines. Excellent diagnostic and problem-solving skills. Ability to exercise good judgment and make decisions in accordance with board policies and established administrative operating procedures.

• Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to programs.

• Ability to implement a long-range plan based on Agency objectives and the needs and abilities of students, staff and parents.

• Ability to establish and maintain highly effective working relationships with peers, parents and community members; ability to speak clearly and concisely in written and oral communication.

• Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and educational levels.

• Demonstrated ability to use technology applications for word processing, data management and information retrieval, visual and audio presentations, and telecommunications.

• Demonstrated mental/physical ability and stamina for meeting the essential duties of the position and the ability to travel to and from local school districts and other agencies as needed.

• Ability to obtain a Michigan driver’s license and evidence of insurance.

Hiring Solutions LLC provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Hiring Solutions LLC complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.