JOB DESCRIPTION RESPONSIBLE TO: Transport Operations Locality Manager JOB PURPOSE: The Postholder will ensure the effective management and organisational delivery of EA’s Home to School Transport Service within an assigned locality, with particular responsibility for ensuring suitable transport arrangements are in place and recorded for pupils attending mainstream schools. As a key member of the transport team, the post-holder is accountable for providing high quality transport services for eligible pupils that are economically efficient and delivering a high quality and safe service for our children and young people. The Postholder will be required to work effectively with staff across the Transport Service and maintain strong and productive working relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders. This role will have supervisory responsibilities for a range of clerical staff, drivers and escorts operating in the locality. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES HOME TO SCHOOL TRANSPORT MANAGMENT - Manage the process to determine eligibility of pupils for transport assistance as required in line with the Department of Education circular 1996/41. - Arrange transport for eligible pupils to and from schools and FE Colleges by a variety of means including EA bus, public transport, private hire and parental payments. - To manage the compilation and maintenance of pupil databases on OneLive for transport routes to assigned Mainstream Schools and Specialist Placements, in a manner which conforms to current legislation, consistent with the policy and controls of the Education Authority (EA), and as directed by the Head of Service (HOS). - To arrange the provision of safe and suitable home to school transport for statemented pupils attending Mainstream Schools and Specialist Provision Centres. - Prepare and maintain bus routes, timetables and loading lists for EA services. - The preparation of tender documents and making arrangements for the supply of private hire services through the Dynamic Purchasing System to include tender evaluation, award and contract variations. - Complete the compliance inspection of private hire vehicles and private hire drivers as deemed necessary in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the private hire contract. - To raise any reports of a child protection or safeguarding nature with the Transport Operations Coordinator. - Systematically review transport operations and make recommendations on cost effectiveness of transport services. - To investigate and report on vehicle accidents and incidents of misbehaviour or vandalism on home to school transport including Translink vehicles as required. - Manage the hire of EA vehicles for school swimming trips and the delivery of school meals. - Complete Risk Assessments on suitability of transport provision. - To ensure a co-ordinated and integrated approach to route planning and service delivery that is aligned with all long term strategic plans for the service. MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION - To supervise administrative staff in the section including the management and allocation of duties. - Implement EA’s Managing Attendance policy. - Identify the need for and assist in the process for the recruitment of permanent and temporary drivers, escorts and school crossing patrols, including short term cover for staff who are absent from duty. - Participation in the Interview, Selection and Induction Process for Drivers, Escorts, School Crossing Patrols and clerical staff. - Participation in drivers, escorts, school crossing patrol and private hire operator training courses and inductions in line with current legislation. - To contribute to the development of a positive team ethos and for the discipline and welfare of staff in the section including drivers and escorts - Process driver and escort timesheets and Human Resources paperwork. - To deputise for the transport operations coordinator in all aspects of the post when required. ADMINISTRATION - To comply with all existing transport legislation, policy and practice. - To investigate and respond to all general/routine correspondence, emails and telephone enquiries from parents, School Principals and Public representatives - Process invoices and claims for Private Hire Operators and Parental Payments, ensuring that they strictly adhere to budgetary controls and deadlines - To attend and participate in meetings, panels and working groups as and when required. - Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders such as CYPS, EA Procurement, EA Catering Service, Private Hire Operators and Translink. - To provide accurate, timely and relevant advice and front line support to EA Services, statutory and non-statutory bodies, School Leaders and Boards of Governors on all matters relating to the transport service to mainstream schools. - Monitor and investigate complaints in line with Board Procedures. - Respond to correspondence related to Home to School Transport issues - Manage and respond to requests for School Crossing Patrols in line with relevant EA guidance in cooperation with the relevant Locality Transport Inspectors. - To undertake any other duties which may be requested and deemed appropriate to the post. This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time. In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times. To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post, click here.