Operations Manager - Bus Service Center Operations - 60025801, 60025913, 60026214, 60025688

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 learn—every 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 stability—plus 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 Carolina’s statewide pupil transportation mission.

These positions are located in the Office of Transportation in Charleston, Berkeley, Beaufort, and Summerville County Bus Shops.

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

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

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

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

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

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

A bachelor's degree and relevant program experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three (3) years of experience in transportation programs, operations, or a related field, or a bachelor’s degree plus three (3) years of relevant experience
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Class A or B Commercial Driver’s 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

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.

http://www.ed.sc.gov/jobs/human-resources/title-ix-nondiscrimination/