Under administrative direction of an Assistant Superintendent or designee, oversees vendor performance and contract compliance for special education and field trip bus transportation; serves as liaison between the District and the contractor; develops and monitors special education bus routes and schedules; responds to questions and complaints from parents; resolves cooperatively a wide variety of transportation-related problems and performs other duties as assigned.

Monitors student transportation service provider's performance and compliance with contract requirements to ensure that District expectations are being met; maintains liaison between the contractor and the District, meeting regularly with the contractor's staff and making unscheduled visits, as well, to observe operations, exchange information, and resolve problems.

Reviews contractor's vehicle maintenance records, employee licensing records, and reviews monthly statements to ensure proper billing.

Visits accident scenes and reviews accident or violation reports and bus driver records.

Maintains records of contract carrier operations, including vehicle specifications, and prepares regular summaries and special reports as needed by supervisor.

Collects data for use in transportation planning, maintains database or other records for state reporting, and prepares reports; as necessary, makes recommendations to supervisor for changes to contract or policies.

Develops, revises, and monitors new and revised bus routes and schedules after analyzing traffic conditions, pupil needs and conditions, school starting and ending times, bus capacity and equipment, cost effectiveness, and other pertinent factors; tests all routes by driving them.

Evaluates problem bus stops with regard to safety, vandalism, capacity, etc. and makes necessary changes.

Works with contractor to resolve operational or other problems such as student discipline or scheduling conflicts.

Conducts annual training program for employees of contractor, as specified in contract.

Coordinates with assigned personnel at each school site to schedule and arranges all field trip bus transportation for the District; develop initial estimates for field trips and generate final cost reports for submission to school site and/or Accounting Department.

Receives parent calls and complaints and resolves the majority through either explanation of District policies and/or safety considerations or through working with the contractor to improve service; may issue warning or fines to contractor in event of serious or repeated infractions; may refer serious or persistent parent complaints to supervisor.

Meets with Program Specialists, parents, site administrators and other personnel as needed to ensure the transportation program meets the needs of the District’s special education program.

Distributes approved mailings to parents.

Performs other duties as assigned.

The Transportation Coordinator serves as the District contract compliance officer for special education and field trip student transportation and personally establishes and/or revises all bus routes.

Knowledge of: Current state laws and regulations governing special education and other student transportation; applicable policies, procedures, and practices for establishing transportation routes, dispatching, and other operational concerns; safe driving practices; driver qualifications and licensing requirements; vehicle maintenance needs and regulations; the unique requirements of transporting special education students; oral and written English language skills; commonly-used computer software for billing and record keeping.

Ability to: Analyze, evaluate, and coordinate the transportation requirements of the District; monitor the work of a contractor for contract compliance; work effectively with the contractor's staff, including drivers, in order to elicit cooperation and resolve problems; establish and maintain effective relationships with parents in order to understand their needs, work with them on issues, and explain District policies clearly; plan efficient bus routes and schedules; learn the local city streets, student stops, and traffic conditions; read, interpret, and explain clearly a wide variety of laws, rules, and practices; organize and prioritize work; work independently, exercising good judgment regarding keeping supervisor informed; operate a computer and utilize common software programs in order to maintain records and produce necessary reports.

Essential Physical and Cognitive Activities and Work Environment: Work is normally performed in an office setting, although there will be frequent visits to routing sites, the contractor's office, problem or accident sites, schools, or other locations. Needs sufficient visual acuity to read regulations, contracts, records, and computer screens and to inspect vehicles; sufficient hearing to comprehend ordinary conversations; sufficient- clarity of speech to explain concepts and regulations in ordinary conversations and for presentations and group meetings; sufficient mobility to operate a computer, to travel to work sites, and to drive and review routes. Sufficient ability to read, interpret, and apply a wide variety of laws, codes, regulations, and procedures, and to analyze contractual provisions and transportation data. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable a qualified individual with disabilities to perform the essential duties of this position. The job generally requires 75% sitting, 15% walking, and 10% standing.

Typical Background: Minimum of five years of experience in performing supervisory, training, and/or professional-level coordination activities in support of a student transportation program; at least two of these years should include experience independently developing student bus routes and schedules.

Experience driving a school bus can substitute for up to two of the five years of supervisory, training, and/or professional-level coordination experience on a year for year basis; experience driving a school bus cannot substitute for the two years of experience independently developing student bus routes and schedules.

Licenses and/or Certificates: Valid California Driver's License and current First Aid and CPR Certificates.

Qualifications: In order to be considered qualified for a vacancy in this classification, a candidate must possess the required background and successfully demonstrate such background, knowledge, skills and abilities through an examination process.

February 1996 JW

Revised May 2005 JW. Approved by the Personnel Commission on May 19, 2005

Revised 07/24/2009-AT

Revised 03/2016-AL; Approved by Personnel Commission on March 17, 2016