Regional Transportation Coordinator

The NWESD aspires to be a racially and culturally inclusive staff that reflects the diversity of those we serve. We believe this strengthens our organization, stimulates creativity, promotes the exchange of ideas, and enriches staff engagement.

Summary:

The Regional Transportation Coordinator provides technical assistance, service, information, evaluation and training to 35 school districts in the Whatcom, Snohomish, Skagit, and Island counties. The coordinator assists OSPI in coordinating and administering statewide programs, approving school district funding requests, and managing the region’s programs.

Essential Functions:

• Provide technical assistance to districts in the development and implementation of services, including budget development, establishing maintenance programs, preparing bus specifications, and establishing routes.
• Attend meetings (e.g., OSPI, regional, training, etc.) for the purpose of receiving and conveying information.
• Review and approve district requests for transportation operation funding using Student Transportation Allocation and Reporting System (STARS) according to established Washington Administrative Code (WAC) and assists districts in making corrections when needed. This includes processing and audit of Report 1026A.
• Review district transportation operations rated less than 90% by the STARS Efficiency System, make recommendations to districts on actions to improve operational efficiency, and prepare reports on efficiency review findings and recommendations for inclusion in OSPI legislative reports regarding transportation operations, according to WAC, for those school districts with comparative efficiency ratings of less than 90%.
• Assist the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) in meeting state program objectives including development of WACs, survey instruments, minimum specifications for school buses, and the school bus driver training program.
• Approve district school bus acquisitions, assuring that all buses are properly inspected and all paperwork is correct prior to authorization for reimbursement according to established WAC provisions, and assist districts in making corrections.
• Provide liaison between OSPI and the NWESD supervisors and driver trainer organizations through monthly meetings.
• Assist OSPI in meeting state program objectives including development of WAC’s, survey instruments, minimum specifications for school buses, and the school bus driver’s training program.
• Facilitate the training of driver trainers and school bus drivers, and evaluates bus driver training programs in the region. Oversee the delivery of the annual in-service training for school bus driver instructors and school bus drivers in the NWESD region and provide guidance to districts in developing and maintaining bus driver training programs.
• Prepare, develops and implement workshops on ridership reporting throughout the region.
• Assist OSPI in developing and evaluating the statewide school bus inspection programs conducted by the Washington State Patrol. Acts as a liaison between WSP and districts when needed.
• Develop awareness materials and community presentations, in support of NWESD region’s school districts.
• Manage the Regional Transportation program including budget and operations for the NWESD region.
• Performs related duties as assigned. Related duties may not specifically be listed but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s classification of work.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Familiarity with pertinent Federal and Washington State laws, rules and regulations related to student transportation.
• Knowledge of student transportation vehicle and facilities maintenance.
• Knowledge of necessary record keeping for student transportation programs and the ability to advise districts on proper procedures.
• Knowledge of school district budgeting and accounting procedures.
• Knowledge of school bus inspection procedures including minimum bus specifications, WAC and RCW regulations, and the ability to assist WSP in interpretation of applicability.
• Knowledge of school bus routing, scheduling and efficiency.
• Ability to demonstrate effective leadership and presentation techniques.
• Ability to organize workshops for individuals or groups and provide training to audiences with various levels of experience and understanding of student transportation.
• Ability to work as liaison in committee settings.
• Ability to advise districts on proper categories for budgeting purposes, plan for fleet replacement and future needs and provide technical assistance to districts for development and implementation.
• Process knowledge of acquisitions and dispositions of school buses.
• Ability and willingness to travel to local districts and meetings maximizing district contacts and services.
• Ability to organize and follow through on multiple tasks, address concerns as they arise, meet current project deadlines and plan ahead to meet future needs and goals.
• Knowledge and skill in using word processing, spreadsheet, database software, and electronic communications to generate and audit documents.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written format.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, school district staff and administrators, media, and the general public.

Qualifications:

High school graduate or equivalent and a minimum of five years successful supervisory experience in a medium sized student transportation system. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted which provides the skills, knowledge and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Valid Washington State driver’s license is required. Washington State School Bus Driver Instructor Authorization and the completion of the Central Washington University Pupil Transportation Management Training Program are preferred. WSP/FBI criminal history background clearance required.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

Work is performed approximately 50% in an office environment and approximately 50% traveling to the 35 assigned school districts as well as staff meetings in Olympia and attendance of assigned statewide programs. Lifts and carries a maximum of 25 pounds. Adequate manual and finger dexterity, hearing, speech, and vision are necessary to perform the essential functions of this position.

Hazards: Potential hazards are present based on the fact that the position requires the incumbent to drive a significant amount. Hazards may include but are not limited to traveling alone, driving in inclement weather conditions and varied road conditions.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.

It is the policy of the Northwest Educational Service District No. 189 to not discriminate against any person with regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, physical or mental disability, or citizenship or immigration status.