Description
EXEMPT
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Director, Student Transportation and Traffic Safety
$122,031 - $136,346 annually
Closes June 14,2026
The Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) seeks to fill the Director of Student Transportation and Traffic Safety. This full-time permanent position is based in Olympia, Washington. This position requires on-site work 3–4 days per week. Following successful completion of onboarding, the position may be eligible for telework 1–2 days per week, with a schedule that includes a combination of in-office and remote workdays. We encourage interested candidates to visit the OSPI website to gain insight into our agency.
About OSPI and our initiatives
OSPI is the primary agency charged with overseeing public K–12 education in Washington state. Working with the state's 295 public school districts and 7 state-tribal education compact schools, OSPI allocates funding and provides tools, resources, and technical assistance so every student in Washington is provided a high-quality public education.
At OSPI, we recognize that our employees are the key to the success of the agency. We are committed to our work but value the balance with our personal lives. We demonstrate our commitment to employees by providing an environment that stimulates professional growth and values them for their expertise. OSPI is a great place to work and has several initiatives to help create a great working environment, including:
We support a healthy work/life balance by offering flexible/alternative work schedules and mobile and telework options. (Depending on job duties and work location.)
We have an Infant at Work Program that is based on long-term values of newborns and infant-parent bonding. Eligible employees who are new parents or legal guardians can bring their infant (six weeks to six months) when returning to work. (Depending on job duties and work location.)
We value and are actively involved in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion within OSPI by way of cross-divisional, collaborative committee. The focus of the committee includes employee engagement and education; reinforcing OSPI values; and maximizing the value of diversity and identifying strategies for inclusion.
Vision, Mission, and Values
Vision: All students prepared for post-secondary pathways, careers, and civic engagement.
Mission: Transform K-12 education to a system that is centered on closing opportunity gaps and is characterized by high expectations for all students and educators. We achieve this by developing equity-based policies and supports that empower educators, families, and communities.
Values: Ensuring Equity, Collaboration and Service, Achieving Excellence through Continuous Improvement, Focus on the Whole Child
Equity
Each student, family, and community possesses strengths and cultural knowledge that benefits their peers, educators, and schools. Ensuring educational equity:
Goes beyond equality; it requires education leaders to examine the ways current policies and practices result in disparate outcomes for our students of color, students living in poverty, students receiving special education and English Learner services, students who identify as LGBTQ+, and highly mobile student populations.
Requires education leaders to develop an understanding of historical contexts; engage students, families, and community representatives as partners in decision-making; and actively dismantle systemic barriers, replacing them with policies and practices that ensure all students have access to the instruction and support they need to succeed in our schools.
Position Overview
The Director of Student Transportation leads statewide oversight of Washington’s student transportation program, including funding allocations, school bus depreciation, statewide bus bidding, driver qualification and authorization, and Traffic Safety Education. This role supervises staff, partners with regional transportation coordinators, and supports budget development, legislative analysis, fiscal notes, and agency representation to help ensure compliant, cost-effective transportation services for school districts statewide.
Key Responsibilities
Oversee Student Transportation Operations Funding
Oversee School Bus and Transportation Vehicle Funding and Bidding Process
Administer the Regional Transportation Coordinator (RTC) Program
Manage the administration of efficiency evaluations of school district transportation operations
Serve as Agency student transportation knowledge expert
Oversee school bus driver training and authorizations
Liaise with other state agencies and organizations
Oversee the Traffic Safety Education program
Supervise and lead a team of four
Required Qualifications:
A bachelor's degree in business or government administration (or a closely related field) and five years of management or administrative experience in a student transportation school bus operations program
OR
A combination of education and experience totaling nine (9) or more years of professional level experience in management or administrative experience in a student transportation school bus operations program.
Minimum 3 years' work experience supervising staff.
Expert knowledge of Washington State laws and administrative code related to student transportation and traffic safety education.
Understanding of school district operations, particularly related to student transportation and traffic safety education, including the STARS reporting process and an understanding of how the funding formula works.
Advanced working knowledge of Excel such as creating high level complex formulas, building multi-layer pivot tables, and connecting Excel to multiple data sources.
Must reside in the state of Washington.
Must be in the office 3 days per week.
Desired Qualifications:
Knowledge of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards relating to school buses.
Successful completion of the Pupil Transportation Management Training Program at Central Washington University.
Successful completion of the School Bus Driver Instruction Training Course.
Project management skills to ensure appropriate scope development, staff allocation, cost management, contract compliance, and on-time delivery of quality products that meet customer and legislatively mandated requirements.
Ability to utilize technology in a management system, with a working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and web-based applications.
Compensation
The annual compensation for the position is $122,031 - $136,346 per year and depends upon experience, educational background and qualifications. Geographic differentials may be applied based on work location of successful candidate. Washington State offers a generous benefit package including health, dental and life insurance, retirement and an optional deferred compensation program. Please visit Health Care Authority for information regarding health benefits and the Department of Retirement Systems for retirement plan information. This position serves at the pleasure of the Superintendent and is Civil Service Exempt. This position is not represented by a bargaining unit.
Application Process
Those interested in this position must apply through Careers.wa.gov. Applications must include the following documents in MS Word or PDF format:
A letter of interest specifically addressing the qualifications listed in this announcement;
A current résumé, and;
A list of three or more professional references.
NOTE: Your resume and letter of interest must be attached to your application. Please confirm they are attached before you submit.
Please address any questions to:
Sal Salazar, Human Resources
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
600 Washington Street Southeast
Olympia, Washington 98504-7200
360-725-6278: sal.salazar@k12.wa.us
Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources Office at (360) 725-6270 or (360) 725-6066, or e-mail hroffice@k12.wa.us.
New Jobs Alert Service
OSPI offers a subscription service, which regularly notifies subscribers of new OSPI employment opportunities on careers.wa.gov. Subscribers are notified via text or email alert. If you are interested in this service, then please subscribe at this location.
OSPI is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from job seekers who will contribute to our diversity. OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. If you would like, please include your name and gender pronouns in your application, to ensure we address you appropriately throughout the application process. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact the human resource consultant listed in “Application Process
