Safety Manager

Zūm is revolutionizing mass mobility with its Connected Mobility Experience (Zūm CMX™) system that connects and coordinates people, vehicles, and operations in real time. In the $50 billion student mobility market – the largest segment of the mass mobility industry – Zūm CMX  is transforming a daily source of anxiety and disruption into a reliable, transparent, and efficient mobility experience for students and families. Today, more than 4,500 schools rely on Zūm CMX. Recognized globally for its innovative approach and operational execution, Zūm has been named to Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies, CNBC Disruptor 50 and Changemakers, the World Economic Forum, and the Financial Times’ Fastest Growing Companies lists. Zūm is backed by leading investors including Sequoia Capital, GIC, TPG, and Softbank.

About the Role

We’re seeking an experienced Safety Manager to lead safety operations at our Yonker, NY location. This role encompasses the complete safety lifecycle—from program development and training implementation to incident management and regulatory compliance. You’ll build a culture of behavioral safety, manage safety department staff, and establish best-in-class safety standards that protect employees, students, and the communities we serve. You’ll be the guardian of our most important value, ensuring every person arrives home safely every day.

What Makes You Successful in This Role

You’re a passionate safety advocate with a commitment to zero incidents. You balance proactive prevention with responsive incident management in dynamic transportation environments. You make safety training engaging and memorable, turning compliance requirements into genuine behavior change. You analyze incident data, conduct field observations with drivers, present safety metrics to district administrators, and investigate accident scenes with equal confidence. You interpret regulations, influence behavior through clear communication, and build a culture where safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Responsibilities

Safety Culture:

• Lead safety meetings, toolbox talks, and yard walkthroughs to reinforce safe practices across all roles
• Proactively identify hazards, document findings, and track corrective actions to closure
• Track location-level safety metrics and report trends to the Location Manager

Incident & Accident Management:

• Serve as the on-site lead for all incidents and accidents; execute post-accident procedures correctly and within required timeframes
• Conduct root cause investigations and administer DOT-mandated post-accident drug and alcohol testing (49 CFR Part 382.303)
• Coordinate scene documentation and file complete, accurate claims in the insurance platform (ESIS)
• Submit regulatory reports within required timeframes (FMCSA, state DOE, and other applicable agencies)

Workforce Compliance & Credentials:

• Maintain current credentials for all drivers and attendants: CDL, Non-CDL, school bus permits, DOT physicals, state endorsements, and bus attendant certifications — zero lapses
• Maintain compliant Driver Qualification (DQ) files per FMCSA 49 CFR Part 391
• Administer the DOT random drug and alcohol testing program (49 CFR Part 382), including pool enrollment, testing logistics, violation management, and return-to-duty coordination

Training & Workforce Proficiency:

• Oversee the Driver Trainer to ensure training programs — new hire onboarding, BTW, route qualification, and refresher — meet regulatory and Zūm standards
• Manage the full Non-CDL to school bus driver certification pathway at the location
• Maintain training completion records, proficiency evaluations, and corrective training logs; audit-ready at all times

What Success Looks Like

• Zero lapsed credentials across all drivers and attendants
• All incidents investigated, documented, and reported within regulatory timeframes
• Drug and alcohol program administered with zero procedural gaps
• DQ files and training records complete and audit-ready
• Workforce is genuinely capable — not just credentialed
• Safety culture is visible, consistent, and proactive

Regulatory Knowledge Required

• Working knowledge of DOT, FMCSA (49 CFR Parts 382, 391, 395), state Department of Education school bus standards, and applicable state CDL/Non-CDL requirements for the assigned location.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in safety management within the transportation industry, with a strong preference for experience in school bus or passenger transportation
• In-depth knowledge of FMCSA regulations, state pupil transportation laws, OSHA/DOT standards
• Commercial Driver’s License

Preferred Qualifications:

• Supervisory experience, specifically in supervising and training a driver workforce
• Commercial Driver’s License with Passenger and School Bus Endorsements
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex data and findings clearly
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Director of Pupil Transportation (CDPT), or other relevant safety certifications are preferred
• SBDI (School Bus Driver Instructor) certification
• Prior experience with vehicle camera and monitoring systems