F

First Student

Provides student transportation services for districts

Transportation Manager

Full-Time
$73k - $94k/yr+ Bonus eligible
Senior
Belton, MO, USA
In Person
Operations & LogisticsLogistics & Transportation

About the job

Requirements
  • A high school diploma or equivalent is required; further education is preferred but not required.
  • At least one year of experience in an Assistant Location Manager role or equivalent experience with management responsibility is required.
  • At least five years of operations experience is required, preferably in school bus transportation.
  • Commitment to a safety-focused work culture is required.
  • Computer literacy with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook is essential; experience with timekeeping and payroll systems is preferred.
  • Familiarity with operational technology, including FGA-approved smart technology, apps, encrypted drives, shared drives, and other smart technology, is required.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills and presentation skills are required.
  • Interpersonal skills for dealing with customers, parents, and the community are required.
  • Financial and budgetary skills, including the ability to interpret and analyze profit and loss statements, budgets, and forecasts, are required.
  • A strong business background in financial, strategic, and organizational analysis is required.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced team environment is required.
  • Demonstrated ability to train, coach, and provide leadership is required.
  • English proficiency is required.
Responsibilities
  • Provide operational oversight, day-to-day management, and direct supervision of staff and financial performance.
  • Ensure passengers are transported safely and on time; manage operating expenses to optimize cost per bus; manage contractual services, including administrative functions, information systems, parts purchasing, and inventory control; and ensure purchases follow company processes and policies.
  • Lead day-to-day activities supporting operations, safety, maintenance, dispatch, fleet and facility management, payroll, routing and scheduling, accounts receivable and accounts payable, and related functions. Maintain relationships with senior management and customer contacts, and prioritize work assignments and functional team resources and activities.
  • Oversee customer contract compliance and management, focusing on customer retention. Ensure compliance with staff, driver, and vehicle requirements, key performance indicators, billing, and budget management; deliver contract-specific technologies and meet training and other company, location, state, and customer requirements.
  • Build and maintain relationships with employees, local school officials, parents, and the community, and resolve their concerns. Implement fair and consistent recognition and corrective discipline.
  • Communicate with customers by phone, electronically, and in face-to-face meetings; respond promptly to inquiries, identify and escalate priority issues, gather and evaluate information to resolve inquiries and complaints, and follow up as needed. Develop customer-retention action plans, promote effective communication, and escalate issues to the Assistant General Manager or senior management when needed.
  • Ensure services are delivered within budget and develop and implement action plans to improve operational efficiency. Manage the location budget, including developing, preparing, and analyzing the budget and forecasts; identify and address variances; and provide timely, accurate operational and financial reporting as requested.
  • Maximize charter revenue and support the Assistant General Manager in identifying or bidding on local commercial growth opportunities.
  • Lead by example and build and maintain a strong location team through recruiting, onboarding, training, coaching, team building, and succession planning. Prepare and participate in staff development plans, assess the skills needed to achieve location objectives, and ensure staff complete required online learning courses, including the manager’s own courses.
  • Monitor and manage location compliance with federal, state, local, contractual, and company policies and procedures.
Desired Qualifications
  • Further education is preferred but not required.
  • Operations experience in school bus transportation is preferred.
  • Experience with timekeeping and payroll systems is preferred.

About the company

F

First Student

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Website

First Student provides school bus transportation services across North America, operating a large fleet and handling millions of daily student rides. Its core offering is safe, reliable bus transportation for school districts, delivered through close partnerships with districts and highly trained drivers. The product works by coordinating scheduling, routing, and operations across a network of more than 48,000 vehicles in 42 U.S. states and 8 Canadian provinces/territories to ensure students get to and from school each day. The company differentiates itself through strong district partnerships, responsiveness to changing district needs, a focus on safety and trained staff, and a scalable, organized operations model that can serve many districts efficiently. The goal is to support education by providing a dependable transportation solution that starts and ends each school day safely for every student.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Cincinnati, Ohio

Founded

2021

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • September 15, 2026 New York City deployment adds 40 electric buses and utility-funded infrastructure.
  • First View reached 1.1 million downloads and 300,000 active users by June 30.
  • West Middlesex and Spring-Ford awarded new 2026 contracts, expanding recurring district revenue.

What critics are saying

  • May 21, 2026 WARN notice cut 125 Plymouth jobs after Wayzata lost, signaling contract fragility.
  • Cincinnati lawsuits and the Zachary rape case keep First Student's safety and liability exposure alive.
  • Repeated district insourcing and rebidding dismantle First Student's route density and margins.

What makes First Student unique

  • First Student operates 47,000-plus buses across 1,300 contracts, dwarfing smaller rivals.
  • HALO integrates routing, maintenance, safety, and communications into one proprietary operating system.
  • First Charge cuts electrification construction costs 13% in dense cities like New York.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays
  • Flexible Work Hours
  • Training Programs
  • Professional Development Budget
  • Employee Discounts

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

18%

1 year growth

12%

2 year growth

12%
First Student
Sep 15th, 2026
First Student and Con Edison advance electric School Bus infrastructure in New York City.

First Student and Con Edison advance electric School Bus infrastructure in New York City. September 15, 2026 New enhancements give families one place to track yellow bus and First Alt trips, with greater visibility, convenience, and First Charge(TM) trenchless and modular charging infrastructure solution demonstrates a more cost-effective approach to electrification in one of the nation's most complex urban environments Electric school buses now operating across Brooklyn and Queens are supported by First Charge(TM) infrastructure that reduced construction costs by 13% First Student announces plans to deploy 40 additional electric school buses to serve the New York City Department of Education BROOKLYN, NY (September 15, 2026) - First Student, North America's largest student transportation services provider backed by EQT Infrastructure, and Con Edison, today announced the completion of the first phase of an electric school bus project serving the New York City Department of Education. The project brings together electric school buses, First Student's First Charge(TM) infrastructure solution, advanced bi-directional charging technology, and a cost-effective approach to fleet electrification in one of the nation's most complex urban environments. "We're incredibly proud of the work we're doing with Con Edison and the progress we're making together to advance electric school bus transportation," said John Kenning, CEO and President of First Student. "Our mission is to provide the safest, most reliable, and efficient ride to school, so that students arrive ready to learn and achieve their full potential. Living that mission means continuing to live our values, including setting the highest standards for student transportation. Safety will always be at the heart of everything we do, and we're proud to pair that commitment with innovation that is improving the sustainability of student transportation." At the center of the project is First Charge(TM), First Student's innovative trenchless, modular charging infrastructure solution that reduces costs and accelerates time to market. By avoiding traditional underground trenching, the installation reduced infrastructure construction costs by 13% while minimizing construction complexity and disruption, an especially important advantage in dense urban environments like New York City. "Con Edison supports innovation to help make transitioning to electric vehicles affordable for our customers," said Vicki Kuo, senior vice president of Customer Energy Solutions at Con Edison. "Eliminating the need to bury the service line to these chargers lowers the upfront costs for First Student and is a strategy that other fleet owners can replicate to save money and complete projects more quickly. Replacing inefficient, fossil fuel-powered buses with vehicles that produce no tailpipe emissions will help keep our region sustainable." Con Edison and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) contributed funding for the project. The funding included six bus vouchers awarded through NYSERDA's New York School Bus Incentive Program through First Student's school bus manufacturer, International, as well as funding for four retrofit buses. This project is also exploring ways to decrease energy costs for fleets. Using advanced load management software, the electric school buses charge during off-peak hours when energy is less expensive, not only decreasing complexity but also ensuring energy is used efficiently. First Student is continuing to expand its electrification operations in New York with the addition of 40 new electric school buses. First Student is also considering additional initiatives at its Brooklyn facilities, including expanded solar use and the creation of a smart energy hub. NYSERDA is supporting the purchase of six electric school buses for this project through the New York School Bus Incentive Program and through First Student's vendor, International, and four retrofit buses through the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program. "This project is exactly the kind of critical infrastructure investment to which EQT is committed across our portfolio - pairing patient, long-term capital with practical innovation that strengthens energy security and accelerates the shift to cleaner transportation," said Crosby Cook, Partner at EQT Infrastructure. "First Student's work with Con Edison demonstrates that the right partnership between fleet operators and utilities can make electrification more affordable and scalable." "Electric school buses offer a healthier, quieter transportation experience for students while reducing pollution in the communities they serve," said New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris. "Projects like this demonstrate how thoughtful planning, innovative charging solutions, and strong partnerships can help lower costs and accelerate the deployment of electric school buses in New York City and across the state." "Deploying electric school buses at scale requires more than vehicles; it requires the right infrastructure, technology, and utility partnership," said Kevin Matthews, Head of Electrification at First Student. "Working with Con Edison, we've demonstrated a more efficient approach that can help overcome some of the cost and construction challenges that have traditionally made fleet electrification difficult in dense urban environments." During the 2025-26 school year, First Student operated approximately 490 electric school buses, with more than 550 additional vehicles on order. The company has surpassed 11.2 million miles driven in electric buses. About First Student First Student, the leading student transportation services provider in North America, safely transports millions of students across the U.S. and Canada each day. With a fleet of more than 48,000 vehicles and a workforce of highly trained drivers, the company partners with school districts, divisions, and boards to deliver safe, reliable, and efficient transportation solutions that families can depend on. Recognized as a CIO 100 Award winner and named to the TIME100 Most Influential Companies 2026 list, First Student provides a range of transportation services, including special-needs transportation, routing and fleet management, vehicle electrification, maintenance services, and charter transportation. Through its proprietary HALO(TM) technology platform, First Student is helping shape the future of student transportation by integrating safety, operations, maintenance, workforce management, and customer communications into one intelligent transportation ecosystem that enhances safety, improves operational performance, and creates a more connected transportation experience for students and families. Learn more at https://firststudentinc.com Media Contact Brenna Rudisill About Con Edison Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies. The utility delivers electricity, natural gas and steam, and serves 3.7 million customers in New York City and Westchester County, NY. For financial, operations and customer service information, visit conEd.com. Media Contact Ariel Taub

PR Newswire
Sep 15th, 2026
First Student deploys electric school buses in NYC, cuts infrastructure costs 13% with trenchless charging

First Student and Con Edison have completed the first phase of an electric school bus project serving New York City's Department of Education. The project utilises First Student's First Charge™ trenchless infrastructure solution, which reduced construction costs by 13% compared to traditional underground trenching methods. Electric school buses are now operating across Brooklyn and Queens. First Student plans to deploy 40 additional electric buses to serve the city's education department. Con Edison and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority provided funding for the project, including six bus vouchers through NYSERDA's incentive programme. The buses charge during off-peak hours to reduce energy costs. During the 2025-26 school year, First Student operated approximately 490 electric school buses, with over 550 additional vehicles on order. The company has surpassed 11.2 million miles driven in electric buses.

Joliet Public Schools District 86
Sep 9th, 2026
FirstView GPS special education school bus tracking platform.

FirstView GPS special education school bus tracking platform. Joliet Public Schools District 86 September 9, 2026 In collaboration with its transportation partner, First Student, Joliet District Public Schools 86 is relaunching FirstView(R), a real-time GPS vehicle tracking and student transportation monitoring platform. With FirstView, parents and caregivers can download the secure, easy-to-use vehicle tracking mobile app that will allow you to stay easily connected with your student(s) daily trips. - See the real-time vehicle location via GPS and track its progress. - Easy access to vehicle details as well as updates regarding any changes. - Receive multiple distanced-based ETA notifications when the vehicle is getting close. - Set-up family members and caregivers to receive trip email alerts. - Dedicated customer support team for all app-related questions. Let's get you started with FirstView! Step 1: Download* the free, easy-to-use mobile app, which is available on both iOS and Android devices. Search for app name: FirstView 1.0 and register for a new account. *Not all devices are compatible and must meet the minimum operating system requirements. Users from previous versions of FirstView will not migrate over and all users must create a new account. Step 2: Set up your FirstView 1.0 mobile app profile. You'll be asked to provide: - The 5-character District Code: JHGW6 - Your student's first and last name - Your student's school of attendance - Your student's assigned trips Step 3: Add distance notifications to be alerted in the app or via push notification when the vehicle is close to your student's stop location. To set this up in the app, click on Set Distance Notifications. You can edit or add additional distance notifications by clicking on the notification bell and selecting Notifications Settings. Optional: Add yourself and/or other family members and caregivers as a notification recipient to receive email alerts. To set this up in the app, click on the notification bell and select Manage Recipients. Step 4: Once you have added your student(s), set-up distance notifications, and signed up for email alerts, begin tracking your student's daily trips on Contact Support for assistance with app-related questions or concerns: Monday - Friday from 7:00 am - 5:00 pm EST In App: Click Contact Support Email: [email protected] Phone: (888) 889-8920 Toll Free / (513) 419-2921 Local Scan the QR code to download FirstView 1.0

The Times Herald
Aug 24th, 2026
Spring-Ford starts new school year, and 10-year capital plan.

Spring-Ford starts new school year, and 10-year capital plan. The plan also includes the closure of the 8th Grade Center in Fall 2030. PUBLISHED: August 24, 2026 at 5:44 PM EDT ROYERSFORD - The Spring-Ford Area School District welcomed approximately 7,750 students back to school Monday as the 2026-2027 school year officially got underway. Across the district's 12 schools, students, families, teachers, and staff kicked off another year of learning, growth, and opportunity. The new school year also brings several initiatives designed to enhance the student and family experience. New in 2026-2027. This year, Spring-Ford began a new transportation partnership with First Student, which will provide transportation throughout the district for both public and non-public students. Also new this year, Spring-Ford families can access breakfast and lunch menus through Nutrislice, an online platform that provides easy access to daily meal information, nutritional details, and other resources through fully translated and ADA-accessible menus. Growing together capital plan. The 2026-2027 school year also marks the first step in implementing the district's 10-year, $103 million capital plan with the transition of the current 9th Grade Center into the Spring-Ford Freshman Center. The plan would see renovations to four schools, additions built onto three schools, and the closing of the Eighth Grade Center. The project also involves replacing HVAC units and roofs, which have seen between 25 and 30 years of use. Most of the renovations and expansions would be to district elementary schools to allow them to accommodate having the fifth grades in those buildings, as well as full-day kindergarten classes. The 5th-7th grade center is the building that would be renovated into a traditional grades 6-8 middle school. Beginning this school year, the 9th Grade House Office will remain in the building to provide additional support as students make the transition to high school. The plan will proactively rebalance new construction neighborhoods beginning in Fall 2026 and begin planning for future redistricting, with full implementation planned for Fall 2029. That same year, Spring-Ford plans to launch Full-Day Kindergarten and reduce grade-level transitions by establishing elementary schools serving grades K-5 and middle schools serving grades 6-8. The plan also includes the closure of the 8th Grade Center in Fall 2030, facility additions, and a 10-year maintenance plan to support the district's future needs. "Over the coming years, the district envisions a learning environment that places an even greater emphasis on helping students successfully navigate the academic, social, emotional, and organizational demands of high school. The long-term vision includes strengthening student support systems, developing executive functioning and time-management skills, fostering a strong sense of belonging, and creating a seamless transition into the high school experience," according to a press release from the school district... "Together, these steps are designed to create a more cohesive educational experience for students while preparing Spring-Ford's facilities and programs for the future. The Freshman Center is the first visible step in that long-term vision, creating an environment intentionally focused on helping students build confidence, establish connections, and lay a strong foundation for success throughout high school," according to the release. Recognizing staff who go above and beyond. As the new school year begins, Spring-Ford is also celebrating four exceptional employees as recipients of the 2026 Spring-Ford Golden Ram Award. The Golden Ram Award recognizes staff members who demonstrate outstanding performance, a commitment to education, excellence, teamwork, and a willingness to go above and beyond the expectations of their job duties to help students succeed. Congratulations to the 2026 recipients: - Rodger Horne, Spring-Ford Area High School Math Teacher - Judy Rickard, Brooke Elementary School Kindergarten Teacher - Veronica Arriaga-Orts, Spring-Ford Area High School Spanish Teacher - Kim Baier, Spring-Ford Area School District Executive Assistant "The first day of school is always one of the most exciting days of the year at Spring-Ford," said Spring-Ford Superintendent Jay Burkhart. "We are thrilled to welcome 7,750 students back to our schools and look forward to the opportunities that the new school year will bring. From new partnerships and resources for families to the first steps toward our long-term vision for the future of the school district, there is a great deal to be excited about as we begin the 2026-2027 school year."

PR Newswire
Aug 24th, 2026
First Student enhances First View, the leading parent tracking app that connects yellow bus and alternative transportation into one experience.

First Student enhances First View, the leading parent tracking app that connects yellow bus and alternative transportation into one experience. Aug 24, 2026, 12:00 ET New enhancements give families one place to track yellow bus and First Alt trips, with greater visibility, convenience, and confidence for the new school year. CINCINNATI, Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - First Student, North America's largest student transportation services provider, today announced new enhancements to First View(R), the leading parent transportation app that brings together traditional yellow bus and First Alt(R) alternative transportation into one connected experience. Whether a student rides a yellow bus, an alternative vehicle, or both, First View gives parents one place to stay informed with real-time visibility, communication, and support throughout every journey. With more than 1.1 million downloads and 300,000 active users as of June 30, First View continues to help families stay informed and confident about their student's transportation. New enhancements for the 2026-2027 school year expand the app's capabilities while making it even easier for families to manage transportation across multiple students, multiple vehicles, and multiple service types - all within a single experience. "Every great school year begins with a safe ride, and families deserve confidence in that journey," said John Kenning, President and CEO of First Student. "Our mission is to provide the safest, most reliable, and most efficient ride to school so students arrive ready to learn and achieve their full potential. First View brings that mission to life by giving families greater visibility and confidence in their child's journey, whether they travel by yellow bus, alternative transportation or both. It's another way we're living our values of Caring for Our Students and Setting the Highest Standards while creating a safer, more connected transportation experience for every student and family we serve." New Features and Enhancements for the 2026-2027 School Year * Track multiple students in one app, regardless of the type of vehicle they ride to school * Expanded language support, now available in 15 languages including English, Spanish, Canadian French, Arabic, Chinese, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, Somali, Portuguese, Swahili, Haitian Creole, Nepali, Amharic, Russian, and Pashto * Push and in-app notifications when the vehicle arrives for pick-up and drop-off, both at the stop and at school * Trip change notifications, including driver, vehicle, and schedule updates, as well as when a student boards or exits the vehicle * Service alerts from districts/divisions and locations, including weather changes, delays, and road closures * Expanded multilingual customer support, including a First Alt call center that is 50% bilingual, outbound Spanish-language parent outreach, and a dedicated Spanish-language inbound support line for families Unlike most transportation apps that support only one type of service, First View's parent app allows families to manage transportation for every student in one place. Parents can track yellow bus routes, alternative transportation, and even charter transportation for summer programs through a single app, creating one seamless transportation experience regardless of how their children travel to and from school. This unified approach is especially valuable for families with multiple children or students whose mode of transportation changes throughout the school year. "Providing families with accurate and timely transportation information is important to us," said Lisa Riveros, Director of Transportation for Wichita Public Schools. "I really like how First View gives parents real-time visibility into their student's transportation so they can stay informed, know what to expect, and have confidence that their child is getting to and from school safely." Families can also share feedback after every trip through First Student's Feedback Portal, helping the company continuously improve the transportation experience. For families who use First Alt, First Student's alternative transportation service, First View provides additional capabilities designed specifically for individualized transportation. Parents can view and cancel same-day rides, manage trips scheduled up to 14 days in advance, access driver and vehicle information, and receive notifications when their student boards or exits the vehicle. The app helps ensure a better experience for families whose students have disabilities. "The expansion of First View to 15 languages is a tremendous benefit for our families," said Victoria Storti, Transportation Specialist for Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District. "Every parent deserves access to timely transportation information in a language they understand. By offering more language options, First View is helping us create a more inclusive experience, improve communication with families and ensure more parents can stay connected to their student's daily transportation." The enhancements are being introduced as part of First Student's broader back-to-school readiness efforts, helping families start the school year with greater confidence while reinforcing the company's commitment to delivering one connected transportation experience across every student, every vehicle, and every journey. First Student's continued investment in technology and innovation was recently recognized with a 2026 CIO 100 Award, honoring organizations that use technology in innovative ways to deliver business value. First View is available to download in the App Store or Google Play. About First Student First Student, the leading student transportation provider in North America, safely transports millions of students across the U.S. and Canada each day. With a fleet of more than 48,000 vehicles and a workforce of highly trained drivers, the company partners with school districts, divisions, and boards to deliver safe, reliable, and efficient transportation solutions that families can depend on. Recognized as a CIO 100 Award winner and named to the TIME100 Most Influential Companies 2026 list, First Student provides a range of transportation services, including special-needs transportation, routing and fleet management, vehicle electrification, maintenance services, and charter transportation. Through its proprietary HALO(TM) technology platform, First Student is helping shape the future of student transportation by integrating safety, operations, maintenance, workforce management, and customer communications into one intelligent transportation ecosystem that enhances safety, improves operational performance, and creates a more connected transportation experience for students and families. Learn more at https://firststudentinc.com About First Alt First Alt(R), the alternative transportation service from First Student, facilitates safe, reliable, and customized transportation for students with specialized needs. Backed by First Student's quality training, technology, and safety standards, the First Alt service ensures that every student, regardless of ability, housing, or placement, receives equitable, high-quality transportation to and from school. Learn more at: https://firstalt.com SOURCE First Student, Inc.