Program coordinator Jobs in Owen Sound, ON

Driver Safety & Training Coordinator – School Bus

Company: First Student Canada
Location: Owen Sound, Ontario
Job Type: Full-Time

About the Role

First Student is seeking a dedicated Driver Safety & Training Coordinator – School Bus to lead and manage safety programs at our Owen Sound location. This hands‑on role ensures compliance with federal, provincial, and local regulations, supports driver training and qualification, and promotes a strong safety culture across all operations. This is an operational safety role—not a desk-only position—and requires experience in school bus operations and the ability to perform driver evaluations and training in the field.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee driver hiring and compliance processes (e.g., MVR checks, drug/alcohol testing, physicals, background checks).
• Manage and monitor location training programs, including onboarding, recertification, and enhancement training.
• Lead investigations of safety events using root cause analysis (e.g., 5-Why’s), document incidents, and determine preventability.
• Maintain compliance with all safety-related regulations and company policies; ensure documentation is accurate and up to date.
• Conduct monthly safety meetings and provide training on safety-related topics.
• Monitor driver performance using telematics, road evaluations, and other tools.
• Develop and implement hazard control programs and evaluate their effectiveness.
• Analyze safety data and trends to create action plans and performance improvement strategies.
• Support operational safety leadership through BeSafe initiatives and coaching.
• Manage safety-related budgets and recommend cost-saving measures.

Qualifications

• Class B driver’s licence (or willingness to obtain) required.
• Minimum 1 year in a safety-related role.
• School bus driving experience strongly preferred.
• Safety certifications (e.g., COR, WHMIS) and knowledge of Canadian OHS standards preferred.
• Strong knowledge of provincial safety regulations and transportation compliance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Experience with dispatch, telematics, and compliance systems (e.g., DMO, SmartDrive) is an asset.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and organizational skills.

Why Join First Student?

• Annual salary of $43,000 – $45,000
• Industry leader in student transportation
• Commitment to safety and employee development
• Supportive team environment
• Opportunities for growth and advancement

Apply today and help us set the highest standards in safety and service!

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.