Aurora Naper Transportation Inc. is seeking a reliable, experienced, and safety-focused Safety Trainer to join our team. This position is responsible for supporting driver hiring and compliance, conducting safety training and evaluations, investigating accidents and incidents, and helping ensure our drivers and attendants follow all company, state, and federal safety requirements.
This is not a strictly office-based position. Driving is a required part of this role. If you are not willing to drive company vehicles and perform driving duties as needed, PLEASE DO NOT APPLY.
The ideal candidate is dependable, organized, detail-oriented, comfortable working directly with drivers, and able to confidently teach, coach, and enforce safety procedures.
Key Responsibilities
Driver Safety & Training
- Provide classroom and/or behind-the-wheel training to new school van drivers and retrain current drivers as needed.
- Ensure drivers complete all required training and meet all compliance requirements before operating vehicles.
- Schedule and conduct driver re-certification, refresher training, and safety retraining.
- Conduct regular safety meetings and training programs to promote safe driving practices and compliance.
- Train drivers and attendants on passenger management, student safety, proper use of safety equipment, emergency procedures, and other safety-related topics.
- Provide training on the proper use of car seats, booster seats, and other student transportation equipment.
- Observe and evaluate driver performance and provide coaching and corrective instruction when necessary.
- Conduct driver road checks and performance evaluations, including pre-trip, on-route, and post-trip procedures.
- Monitor driver compliance with company policies, transportation procedures, and applicable state and federal requirements.
- Assist with developing and updating safety training materials, procedures, checklists, and instructional resources.
Accident & Incident Investigation
- Investigate vehicle accidents, student incidents, employee injuries, and other work-related safety incidents.
- Complete and maintain accident reports, investigation files, accident registers, and related documentation.
- Gather facts, interview involved employees or witnesses, review available information, and determine fault or preventability based on the facts identified.
- Follow up with the claims office, insurance adjusters, and management as necessary.
- Provide post-accident counseling, coaching, and retraining to drivers.
- Identify recurring safety concerns and recommend corrective actions to help prevent future incidents.
- Ensure required accident and incident documentation is completed accurately and on time.
Safety & Compliance
- Plan, schedule, and conduct ongoing safety programs to promote employee safety and regulatory compliance.
- Monitor safety trends and identify areas requiring additional training or corrective action.
- Review safety performance and provide recommendations to improve driver performance and reduce preventable accidents and incidents.
- Assist management with developing cost-saving recommendations related to safety, vehicle operations, and risk reduction.
- Stay informed of applicable federal, state, and local transportation and safety rules and regulations.
- Help ensure company policies and procedures are consistently communicated and followed.
- Promote a strong culture of safety, accountability, professionalism, and student care throughout the organization.
Driving Responsibilities
- Perform driving duties as needed, including operating company vehicles for student transportation.
- Complete driver road evaluations and behind-the-wheel training.
- Demonstrate proper defensive driving and safe student transportation practices.
- Conduct vehicle inspections and identify safety or maintenance concerns.
- Follow all company policies and applicable transportation laws while operating company vehicles.
Additional Responsibilities
- Work closely with management, dispatch, recruiting, and office staff regarding driver safety and compliance.
- Communicate professionally with drivers, attendants, employees, school representatives, customers, and other members of the public.
- Maintain confidentiality of employee, student, and company information.
- Prepare safety reports, records, and trend analyses as requested.
- Assist with special projects and other duties related to safety, training, compliance, and transportation operations as assigned.
Qualifications
- 2–3 years of experience in transportation, driver safety, safety training, school transportation, fleet operations, or a related field preferred.
- Previous experience training, coaching, supervising, or evaluating drivers strongly preferred.
- Experience with school transportation or student transportation is a plus.
- Strong knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local transportation safety rules and regulations.
- Ability and willingness to drive company vehicles and conduct behind-the-wheel training and road evaluations.
- Valid driver's license with a safe driving record.
- Ability to pass required background checks, physical requirements, and other company or regulatory requirements.
- Strong computer skills with working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Excellent organizational and record-keeping skills.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to identify safety and compliance issues.
- Ability to effectively prioritize multiple tasks and manage time efficiently.
- Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with drivers, attendants, management, recruiters, school representatives, customers, and the general public.
- Ability to provide constructive feedback and confidently address safety or performance concerns with employees.
- Ability to work independently while also functioning effectively as part of a team.
- Demonstrated reliability, consistent attendance, and punctuality.
- Professional, responsible, and safety-focused attitude.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for someone who is hands-on, dependable, and confident working directly with drivers. This is not strictly an office position. The Safety Trainer will spend time in the field, conducting driver evaluations, providing behind-the-wheel training, investigating incidents, and working directly with employees to improve safety and compliance.
If you are passionate about transportation safety, enjoy training and coaching others, and are comfortable both driving and working with people, we would like to hear from you.
Aurora Naper Transportation Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
Pay: From $21.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Are you tech savvy with Excel, computers, softwares/apps?
- What makes you a good fit?
Experience:
- Driving: 10 years (Preferred)
- Commercial driving: 5 years (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Location:
- Aurora, IL 60506 (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
