This position is being recruited in support of a pending Essex County paratransit contract opportunity. Employment is contingent upon First Student being awarded the contract. Candidates may be contacted and interviewed prior to the contract award; however, an employment start date will not be confirmed until the award and implementation timeline are finalized.
Assistant General Manager / Operations Manager
Why First Student?
At First Student, our operations leaders are responsible for delivering safe, reliable, and efficient transportation service while supporting employees and maintaining strong customer relationships.
The Assistant General Manager/Operations Manager will help lead the Essex County Paratransit operation , supporting a 47-vehicle community transportation program and assisting with the day-to-day management of employees, service delivery, dispatch, scheduling, fleet operations, customer service, and regulatory compliance.
About the Role
The Assistant General Manager/Operations Manager supports the overall management of the Essex County Paratransit operation and works closely with the General Manager and other local leaders to ensure transportation services are delivered safely, efficiently, and in accordance with contractual and regulatory requirements.
This position provides hands-on operational leadership across multiple areas of the business, including employee supervision, dispatching, scheduling, fleet coordination, customer service, and personnel management.
The successful candidate will bring significant supervisory or management experience in paratransit, community transportation, public transportation, logistics, fleet management, or a closely related transportation environment.
What You’ll Do
Support the day-to-day management of the Essex County Paratransit operation.
Assist with oversight of transportation service delivery, including dispatching, scheduling, routing, and daily operations.
Supervise employees and provide day-to-day direction, coaching, and performance management.
Support driver, dispatcher, customer service, and operational staff.
Monitor service performance and help address operational issues as they arise.
Coordinate with maintenance and fleet teams to support vehicle availability and service reliability.
Help manage fleet operations and ensure vehicles are appropriately assigned and available for service.
Support customer service activities and assist with the resolution of passenger or client concerns.
Monitor regulatory and company compliance requirements.
Assist with employee scheduling, staffing, attendance, and other personnel-management responsibilities.
Support safety initiatives and operational compliance programs.
Assist with service disruptions, emergencies, and other operational events.
Review operational data and performance trends and help develop corrective actions or process improvements.
Work closely with the General Manager and other leadership to maintain strong operational performance.
Help promote employee engagement, accountability, teamwork, and a positive work environment.
Perform additional operational and management responsibilities as required.
What You’ll Bring
Minimum of five years of progressively responsible supervisory or management experience in one or more of the following: Community transportation Paratransit Demand-response transportation Public transportation Logistics Fleet management a closely related transportation field
Demonstrated experience with: Transportation operations Employee supervision Customer service Scheduling Dispatching Fleet operations Regulatory compliance Personnel management
Strong leadership and employee-management skills.
Ability to manage multiple operational priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Strong problem-solving and decision-making ability.
Ability to work effectively with drivers, dispatchers, customers, management, vendors, and community partners.
Strong…