Job Description:

Overview:

The Director of Transportation serves as Mesa Public Schools leader for all district transportation services, providing strategic direction and operational oversight to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant student transportation across the district. The Director is responsible for long range planning, fleet management, routing systems, regulatory compliance, fiscal oversight, and personnel leadership across multiple transportation facilities. Reporting to the Chief Business Officer, this position ensures transportation operations align with district priorities, student needs, and applicable federal and state regulations. Through strong leadership, data informed decision making, and cross departmental collaboration, the Director of Transportation advances operational excellence, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement in support of the district’s strategic goals, vision, and promise.

Employment Type:

Director II, Full-time

Salary Range:

$97,301 - $126,491

Salary Procedures:

Years of administrative experience and education considered

Benefits:

Vacation, sick leave, holidays, matched retirement through the Arizona State Retirement System, health, and life insurance

Performance Pay:

Available annually

Calendar:

Administrative Exempt, 12-month position

Reports To:

Chief Business Officer

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership for all district transportation operations, including routing, dispatch, scheduling, fleet management, and daily service delivery.
• Lead strategic planning and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, operational efficiency, and service reliability across multiple transportation sites.
• Ensure full compliance with all federal, state, and district regulations, including Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Arizona Department of Public Safety, Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division, and Department of Public Service requirements.
• Oversee fleet lifecycle management, including vehicle acquisition planning, equipment standards, fuel systems, maintenance coordination, and submission of required state vehicle inventory reports.
• Direct emergency preparedness and response efforts related to transportation, including accident investigations, contingency planning, and coordination with district safety and external agencies.
• Supervise and develop transportation leadership and staff, including recruitment, retention, evaluation, and performance management across geographically dispersed facilities.
• Foster a high performing, safety centered team culture grounded in accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Develop and manage the department budget; monitor expenditures; coordinate procurement activities; and ensure fiscal stewardship of transportation resources.
• Lead student count and mileage reporting, including submission of required 110 day reports and other compliance documentation to the Arizona Department of Education.
• Ensure transportation services meet the needs of Special Education students, McKinney-Vento students, Foster Care students, and other specialized populations in compliance with applicable laws and district policies.
• Serve as primary liaison with city, state, and regulatory agencies regarding traffic safety, vehicle compliance, and infrastructure considerations.
• Collaborate with the City of Mesa regarding street construction, traffic flow adjustments, and long-term route planning.
• Oversee the implementation and effective use of routing software and transportation technology systems to support data informed operational decisions.
• Act as a partner to district leadership, school administrators, families, and community stakeholders to ensure responsive, transparent, and high-quality transportation services.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of five years of experience in commercial or public school transportation management.
• Demonstrated experience supervising and evaluating staff in a transportation or logistics environment.
• Experience in public school district transportation systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in transportation management, business administration, logistics, or related field.
• Knowledge of strategic planning, resource allocation, and fiscal management in a public sector environment.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) through the State of Arizona.
• Experience managing multi-site or geographically dispersed teams.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics (KSAOs):

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The qualifications for this job description represent the knowledge, skill, abilities, and other characteristics necessary for this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. KSAOs necessary for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Models the essential attitudes and skills of Mesa Public Schools’ Portrait of a Graduate.
• Strong executive leadership and team building skills, with the ability to cultivate a positive, high performing culture across multiple facilities.
• Demonstrated expertise in pupil transportation operations, fleet management, and compliance with school bus safety standards and regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of Arizona transportation laws, vehicle codes, and regulatory standards, including requirements for Special Education and protected student populations.
• Strong financial and operational management skills, including budgeting, procurement coordination, and resource allocation.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities to address operational challenges, safety risks, and emergency situations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage diverse stakeholders including parents, city officials, regulatory agencies, and district leadership.
• Technological fluency in Microsoft, Google, Canvas, routing software systems, and transportation management platforms.
• Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and commitment to safety, compliance, and public service.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a high stake, safety sensitive environment while maintaining attention to detail and operational excellence.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements::

• Primarily office-based with frequent district site visits.
• Occasional evening or weekend commitments.
• Fast-paced, high-stakes environment requiring adaptability and responsiveness.
• Ability to remain seated for extended periods.
• Frequent use of hands for typing and handling documents.
• Occasional standing, walking, bending, and reaching.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 10 pounds regularly and up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Visual acuity for reading and computer work.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The district strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.