Program Coordinator II (Operations Manager)

The mission of the South Carolina Department of Education is to serve students support teachers empower parents and engage the community so that every student graduates prepared to reach their full potential.

At the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) transportation plays a critical role in student access safety and opportunity across the state. Our work ensures that students arrive at school safely reliably and ready to learnevery day. SCDE Transportation helps districts statewide deliver safe reliable compliant service through operations maintenance safety training fleet management and leadership. As a state agency SCDE offers career pathways professional development and long-term stabilityplus experience with modern systems statewide operations and data-driven decision-making.

Job Purpose

The South Carolina Department of Education is seeking an experienced solutions-oriented Operations Manager to lead county-level school bus shop operations. This role connects day-to-day operations with statewide transportation priorities and provides leadership over staff facilities fleet readiness safety compliance and service quality across assigned service centers.

The Operations Manager provides county-level leadership and oversight of school bus transportation operations. This position ensures fleet readiness personnel effectiveness safety compliance facilities integrity routing accuracy and consistent service delivery across assigned service centers.

The Operations Manager coordinates closely with school districts service center leadership and regional management to maintain high standards of transportation service regulatory compliance and operational accountability in support of South Carolinas statewide pupil transportation mission.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Ensure fleet readiness

Summary: Oversee preventive maintenance and repair performance to keep fleet assets service-ready minimize downtime and ensure complete and accurate maintenance documentation.

• Monitor preventive maintenance schedules and repair quality
• Reduce out-of-service vehicle counts and ensure timely return to service
• Verify accuracy and completeness of AssetWorks work orders and maintenance documentation

Maintain facility integrity

Summary: Maintain safe compliant facilities and equipment through inspections and consistent shop/workplace cleanliness and readiness standards.

• Conduct facility and fleet inspections to ensure compliance with standards
• Maintain clean safe and compliant shop and work environments

Lead personnel effectiveness

Summary: Build train and manage a high-performing workforce through hiring scheduling/attendance oversight certification support and performance and employee-relations management.

• Recruit interview onboard train and evaluate transportation and maintenance staff
• Maintain personnel records and monitor attendance schedules and leave
• Coordinate CDL training certifications and required professional development
• Address performance concerns disciplinary actions and employee relations matters

Enforce safety compliance

Summary: Reduce risk and ensure regulatory adherence by investigating incidents maintaining required documentation enforcing OSHA/environmental standards and ensuring PPE and safety procedures are followed.

• Conduct accident investigations and ensure required documentation is completed
• Ensure compliance with OSHA environmental and safety regulations
• Enforce PPE and safety procedures across facilities
• Maintain clean safe and compliant shop and work environments

Optimize routing accuracy

Summary: Use transportation systems and data to verify route accuracy audit route operations monitor telematics and identify trends that improve efficiency and reliability.

• Review AssetWorks maintenance data vehicle inventories and service records
• Verify routing accuracy using Student Transportation/Traversa systems
• Audit route runs address hazardous stops and monitor Geotab telematics data
• Analyze trends to improve efficiency and service reliability

Deliver consistent service

Summary:Serve as the primary district-facing coordinator to address service expectations and operational issues while managing purchasing/assets reporting/audit readiness fuel compliance and regional directives.

• Serve as a liaison with school districts regarding routing issues policy interpretation safety concerns and service expectations
• Support in-service training annual start-up operations and seasonal transportation needs
• Collaborate with district personnel to resolve operational challenges
• Approve parts and supply purchases and ensure compliance with contracts
• Reconcile procurement card activity and support inventory audits
• Manage fixed assets and support lifecycle tracking
• Maintain permits accident documentation hazard repair records invoicing and reports in audit-ready condition
• Prepare and submit required monthly and quarterly operational reports
• Oversee fuel infrastructure readiness and inspections
• Ensure compliance with fuel storage disposal and RAR tire processes
• Carry out directives from the Regional Manager
• Perform other duties supporting statewide transportation services and agency priorities
• Ability to pass required drug screenings background checks and USDOT medical examination

A bachelors degree and relevant program experience.

• Three (3) years of experience in transportation programs operations or a related field ora bachelors degree plus three (3) years of relevant experience
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Class A or B Commercial Drivers License (CDL) with Passenger and Air Brake endorsements within 120 days of employment
• Ability to obtain required certifications including OSHA-30 CPR/First Aid Reasonable Suspicion A/B Operator School Bus Inspection and Forklift certifications
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and agency information systems
• Ability to manage multiple priorities communicate effectively and maintain accurate documentation
• Ability to work in office shop and outdoor environments and comply with all safety requirements

• Strong knowledge of pupil transportation operations and fleet management principles
• Ability to lead multi-site operations and supervise diverse teams
• Experience with maintenance routing safety and compliance systems
• Ability to analyze data identify trends and implement operational improvements
• Strong administrative organizational and communication skills
• Commitment to safety accountability and public service

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a combination of office shop and outdoor environments with exposure to noise weather conditions and operational hazards. Adherence to all safety environmental and PPE requirements is mandatory.

Career Growth at SCDE Transportation

SCDE Transportation values practical experience operational knowledge and leadership readiness. Technical expertise is a strong foundation for effective supervision and internal advancement is supported through training mentorship and clear role progression. SCDE Transportation promotes long-term career growth by helping employees build hands-on experience expand skills and pursue advancement in a stable mission-driven statewide organization.

Benefits

As part of a comprehensive state compensation package the South Carolina Department of Education offers:

• Health Dental Vision Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance options for employees and eligible dependents
• Fifteen (15) days annual (vacation) leave per year
• Fifteen (15) days sick leave per year
• Thirteen (13) paid holidays
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation (401k) programs
• Professional development and leadership training opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer

The South Carolina Department of Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race color religion sex national origin age disability or veteran status.

ONLY THOSE APPLICANTS CHOSEN FOR AN INTERVIEW WILL BE NOTIFIED BY LETTER THAT THE POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED.

Experience:

Manager