Location Safety Manager – Stamford, CT

Supporting Our Stamford & Darien Operations

Location: Stamford, CT
Schedule: Full-Time | Monday–Friday (Hours based on operational needs)
Starting Salary: $60,000 annually

If you’re passionate about safety, leadership, and developing employees, First Student has an exciting opportunity for you. As a Location Safety Manager, you’ll play a critical role in promoting our safety-first culture by partnering with Operations, coaching employees, supporting driver development, and ensuring compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.

While First Student is North America’s leading school transportation provider—serving more than 1,250 school districts and completing over 5.4 million student journeys every day—our Stamford operation offers a close-knit, team-focused environment where your leadership directly impacts the safety of our employees, passengers, and the communities we serve.

This position supports both our Stamford and Darien, Connecticut locations.

Why Join First Student?

• Starting salary of $60,000 annually
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits
• Company-paid Life Insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Career Advancement Opportunities: Advance into regional safety, operations, maintenance, management, and leadership roles across more than 540 locations throughout the U.S. & Canada!
• Employee discounts through PerkSpot
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Counseling and support services for personal and work-related issues.
• Join North America’s largest school transportation provider with outstanding opportunities for long-term career growth.

About the Location Safety Manager Position

At First Student, our Location Safety Managers are a direct reflection of our commitment to safety, operational excellence, and exceptional customer service. In this role, you’ll provide leadership and operational oversight while partnering closely with location management to promote a proactive safety culture, coach employees, and ensure compliance with company policies and regulatory standards.

You’ll work closely with Operations to coach drivers, investigate accidents, identify safety trends, deliver corrective training, and foster a culture where safety, accountability, and continuous improvement are part of every day’s operation.

You’ll serve as a trusted resource for drivers, trainers, and leadership while helping maintain the highest safety standards across both the Stamford and Darien operations.

Location Safety Manager Responsibilities

• Administer the driver hiring, qualification, and compliance process.
• Provide direction, coaching, and guidance to location trainers.
• Investigate accidents, incidents, work-related injuries, and customer concerns while determining preventability and root cause.
• Prepare and submit accident-related compliance documentation while maintaining accurate records.
• Conduct driver observations, road checks, and ride-alongs to evaluate performance and reinforce safe driving practices.
• Coach drivers and attendants on passenger management, defensive driving, and company safety procedures.
• Supervise employees responsible for safety, driver hiring, and training functions.
• Monitor safety performance metrics and identify trends to proactively reduce risk.
• Develop and deliver safety meetings, coaching sessions, and ongoing safety initiatives.
• Partner closely with Operations to improve overall safety performance and regulatory compliance.
• Support DOT, FMCSA, state, and company compliance initiatives.
• Promote a positive safety culture focused on education, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

• One of the following:
  • Minimum of one year of experience as an Assistant Location Safety Manager with five years of transportation or operations experience, or
  • An equivalent combination of college education and relevant safety, transportation, or operational leadership experience.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Relevant safety certifications are preferred, including OSHA 10-Hour Training or equivalent.
• Knowledge of FMCSA, federal, state, and local transportation safety regulations, as well as environmental compliance requirements.
• Strong understanding of accident investigations, safety compliance, driver coaching, and regulatory reporting.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with timekeeping, payroll, and operational software systems is preferred.
• Comfortable using technology to support daily operations, including mobile applications, shared drives, electronic reporting systems, and other business technologies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to effectively prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Ability to build positive working relationships with employees at all levels, including drivers, operations leadership, customers, school district representatives, union officials, and community partners.
• Fluent in English.
• Reliable personal vehicle for travel throughout the assigned service area, including Stamford and Darien.
• Demonstrated commitment to maintaining and promoting a Safety First culture.

Note: This position is subject to DOT drug testing and physical requirements. DOT Regulation 49 CFR Part 40 does not authorize the use of Schedule I drugs, including marijuana, for any reason.

Build Your Career with First Student

At First Student, safety isn’t just a priority—it’s at the core of everything we do. As a Location Safety Manager, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by coaching employees, improving operational safety, and helping ensure students arrive safely at school every day.

Whether you’re looking to continue your safety leadership career or take the next step into regional leadership, First Student offers the training, support, and advancement opportunities to help you succeed.

Apply today and help lead a culture where safety comes first—for our employees, our students, and the communities we proudly serve.

We aspire to have a culture where all people are First. We strive to attract and retain a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. First Student is committed to providing a drug-free workplace. For candidates applying to positions in San Francisco or Los Angeles, California, First Student will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable Fair Chance Ordinances. First Student is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive culture that supports future growth for all.

First for a reason:

At First Student, we are a family of 60,000+ employees who take pride in safely transporting more than 5 million students and passengers to and from their destinations each day! Our family of brands include Transco, Total Transportation, Maggies Paratransit, and GVC II. Our employees are at the forefront of safety and innovation; they create and implement the most advanced training and technology the transportation industry has to offer.

In the state of Washington, all technician and driving positions, including but not limited to van drivers and any other position requiring employees to drive a company-owned vehicle, are considered safety-sensitive and are therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing, including cannabis.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. First is also committed to providing a drug-free workplace. First will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, and any other fair chance law. Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance Poster is at this link or upon request https://www.phila.gov/media/20210423160847/Fair-Chance-Hiring-law-poster.pdf.