Interim Director of Transportation

Role Overview

The Interim Director of Transportation leads all aspects of student transportation across KIPP Jacksonville Public Schools. This strategic leader is responsible for building and executing efficient, safe, and high-quality transportation systems that serve thousands of students across four campuses. The Interim Director oversees all routing, compliance, performance metrics, and personnel related to transportation, while also managing vendor partnerships and leading customer service systems for families and staff.

As a key member of the Shared Services team, the Interium Director of Transportation ensures that daily bus operations align with organizational values, while also developing long-term infrastructure for growth and service excellence. This full-time, year-round role directly supervises the Manager of Transportation and all bus drivers, and reports to the Senior Regional Director of Operations.

Key Responsibilities

Transportation Strategy & System Design

• Lead the planning and execution of regional transportation systems, including routing, fleet oversight, and logistical design.

• Build scalable, student-centered systems for bus routing, scheduling, and service adjustments across the academic year.

• Set and monitor transportation KPIs, including on-time arrival rates, route efficiency, and ridership satisfaction.

Policy Development & Compliance

• Develop and implement KIPP Jacksonville’s transportation policies for student behavior, safety protocols, bus stop placement, and service expectations.

• Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local transportation laws and contracts.

• Conduct internal safety audits and attend safety meetings to ensure alignment with KIPP’s operational excellence standards.

Vendor & Fleet Management

• Manage day-to-day vendor operations and ensure service agreements meet expectations for performance and reliability.

• Oversee the cleanliness, timeliness, and maintenance coordination for the vehicle fleet.

• Lead issue resolution for service concerns, contract disputes, or incidents in the field.

Family & Staff Communication

• Coordinate all family-facing communication related to bus routes, service changes, and expectations.

• Serve as a key liaison to school front office teams to ensure timely and clear updates on transportation operations.

• Respond to family concerns with professionalism and urgency, tracking patterns and improving systems as needed.

People Management & Team Development

• Hire, train, and directly supervise all bus drivers, the Associate of Transportation, and other support staff.

• Provide ongoing coaching, performance management, and team culture-building for the transportation team.

• Build leadership capacity on the team to ensure strong execution during high-volume or high-stress times.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree

• 5+ years of experience in transportation, logistics, or operations leadership

• Demonstrated ability to manage large teams and complex routing systems

• Knowledge of school transportation policies and safety regulations

• Strong project management, data analysis, and vendor management skills

• Experience working with transport management systems or fleet routing tools

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills

• Proven ability to manage in high-pressure environments with competing priorities

• CDL, in the event one must operate a school bus

Highly Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in logistics, operations, business, or related field

• Experience managing transportation in a school, nonprofit, or public sector setting

• Familiarity with routing software and transportation compliance platforms

Additional Information

This is a full-time, year-round role based at the KIPP Jacksonville Regional Office. While typical hours are 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., this role requires flexibility aligned with school arrival/dismissal times, route launches, or urgent operational needs.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base starts at $72,000 and is commensurate with experience

• Individual health benefits (medical, dental, and vision)

• 403(b) retirement program with employer match

• Ongoing professional development and leadership coaching

*All benefits and compensation elements are subject to change each school year.

APPLY
Please complete an application and upload a resume via our job board. No applicants will be considered that submit resumes through other job postings.  Link here: https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/KIPP/jacksonville 

If you're a current KIPP Jax team member, you should:

1) Inform your current manager of your interest in the role and

2) Complete the online application

QUESTIONS

If you have questions about this position, please email LaShawnda Anderson at [email protected]. Please understand that resumes and/or cover letters are not accepted via email and you will be redirected to apply via the website.

KIPP Jacksonville Public Schools is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying for employment at our schools. KIPP Jacksonville Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation or national or ethnic origin.