Manager, Operations

Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board

Job Posting

Job Title: Manager, Operations - Transportation

Department: Student Transportation Systems (STSCO)

Reports to: Chief Administrative Officer (STSCO)

Salary: $110,695 – $132,176 per annum

Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: January 6, 2026 at 12:00PM

Who We Are:

The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPR) offers a world-class education for approximately 36,000 students in 87 schools. Spanning over 7,000 square kilometers, across diverse rural and urban communities in southeastern Ontario, KPR serves the Municipality of Clarington, Northumberland and Peterborough Counties, and City of Quinte West/Murray Ward.

The Board is situated on the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg people, serving three vibrant Indigenous communities which include Alderville First Nation, Curve Lake First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation.

Today, the Kawartha Pine Ridge school district is home to many First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples and we acknowledge the contributions and accomplishments of all Indigenous people across Turtle Island, current and throughout history.

All positions in the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board support the school's priority of student achievement and the Boards mission to educate our students to excel in learning, to succeed in life and to enrich our communities.

Main Responsibilities:

The Manager, Operations - Transportation is responsible for overseeing the safe, efficient, and effective delivery of school transportation services. This role provides leadership in operational planning, risk management, performance monitoring, and customer service, while ensuring compliance with safety standards and resolving complex service issues. This position also fosters collaboration with stakeholders to support infrastructure projects, promote active transportation, and enhance the overall school travel experience for students.

• Provide leadership, guidance, and support to transportation staff to ensure operational goals, service standards, and safety requirements are consistently met.
  Manage and coordinate school transportation operations by leading staff in applying risk-management tools to assess and mitigate routing hazards and improving operational systems ensuring safe and efficient student travel.
  
  Oversee customer service programs to organize, prioritize, and assign daily service enquiries, ensuring timely tracking and resolution to maintain service standards and stakeholder confidence.
  
  Manage the Operator Performance Monitoring System (OPMS) and its seven pillars to monitor performance, conduct audits, and identify opportunities for service improvement.
  
  Monitors key performance indicators such as student ride times, walk distances, overloads, and route buffers by guiding staff in daily analysis and corrections, ensuring optimal resource use, improved service quality, and cost savings for member Boards.
  
  Review and address parent/guardian concerns by clarifying policies and explaining transportation decisions to resolve misunderstandings and minimize escalations.
  
  Provides leadership and problem-solving support to staff ensuring complex routing challenges, operational disruptions, and service issues are addressed with effective solutions.
  
  Approves routing changes and makes recommendations for extending, linking, consolidating, removing, or adding school bus routes to optimize fleet efficiency and maintain service reliability.
  
  Determines final placement of bus stops by assessing sightlines, roadway conditions, and specialized student needs, ensuring safe and practical locations for pick-up and drop-off, including decisions on door-side service and crossing requirements.
  
  Collaborate and build relationships with municipalities, community partners and other stakeholders to support infrastructure projects, promote active transportation, and improve walkability.
• Ensures compliance with safety standards when approving bus stop locations by applying established procedures and sightline requirements to prevent hazardous conditions, reducing the risk of collisions and safeguarding student lives.
• Assists with strategic planning by reviewing school organizations and boundaries, providing transportation advice, and ensuring communication of policy changes, supporting smooth implementation of organizational adjustments.
  Other duties as assigned.

Mandatory Minimum Qualifications:Completed four (4) year university degree in Business Administration, Transportation Management, or a related field.

• Minimum seven (7) years of experience in transportation operations, including route management and application of safety and operational best practices.
  Experience in a leadership role with proven ability to lead teams, guide operations, and ensure safety and service standards are met is required.
• Experience in school board transportation is an asset.
  Valid driver's license and use of own vehicle is required.

Skills and Competencies:Advanced knowledge of student transportation operations and risk management practices to ensure safety and compliance.

Proficiency in transportation management systems for effective route planning and data analysis.

Comprehensive understanding of provincial legislation, Board policies, and safety standards to maintain regulatory compliance.

Strong leadership and team management abilities to guide and develop staff in a dynamic operational environment.

Expertise in strategic planning and resource optimization to deliver cost-effective and reliable transportation services.

- Risk assessment and problem-solving skills to identify issues and implement effective solutions.
- Excellent communication skills, including written, verbal, and presentation capabilities, for stakeholder engagement.
- High attention to detail and commitment to quality assurance to maintain standards and deliver superior results.
- Demonstrates a strong commitment to the Board's mission to educate students to excel in learning, succeed in life, and enrich communities.
- Builds positive relationships through empathetic communication and respectful interactions with students, colleagues, and school community members.
Committed to a culture of continuous improvement and service excellence.

Main Contacts:

Regular/on-going contacts include but are not limited to:

• Internal: Employees of all levels from KPRDSB, PVNCCDSB, and Mon Avenir.
• External: School bus and taxi operators, school community members, municipal authorities.

Leadership/Supervision:Direct supervision of STSCO staff, including but not limited to, Route Planning Specialists and Administrative Support.

Working Conditions:

• Frequent attention to details, visual exertion concentration, and dealing with difficult people.
• Moderate travel required.
  Some exposure to inclement weather.

How to Apply:

• Interested applicants are invited to submit a cover letter and resume through our online portal, Apply to Education (ATE), by the closing date to be considered for this opportunity.
• If you have any questions regarding this position, please reach out to to discuss further.
  We thank you for your application and your interest in working at Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. At this time, we will only be contacting candidates who are selected to move forward in the recruitment process.

Our Commitment:

Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board is committed to a qualified workforce that is representative of the diversity of the people of Ontario and across the communities we serve. We welcome applications from candidates with diverse background and lived experiences as a member of a marginalized group, including but not limited to:

• First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples;
• Members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, colour, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin;
• Persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities;
• Persons who identify as women; and
• Persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.

Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board is committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information about what this means in our organization, please refer to our website at (see "Careers" section).