CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

Student Transportation Services of Central Ontario (STSCO)

Permanent Full-time

Salary: $129,124 - $151,910

Posted: October 01, 2025

Closing: October 22, 2025

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Student Transportation Services of Central Ontario (STSCO) is the consortium responsible for planning school bus routes for Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board and Conseil Scolaire Catholique MonAvenir schools. STSCO's dedicated staff play a vital role in safely connecting students with their learning environments every day.

STSCO is seeking an innovative and relationship-focused leader to fill the role of Chief Administrative Officer. As the CAO, you will lead a collaborative and dynamic work environment while enjoying a competitive salary, extended health benefits and access to an employer-matched OMERS pension.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:

The CAO is responsible for the delivery of a quality transportation service for eligible students and is instrumental in fulfilling STSCO's primary mission: safe, effective and efficient student transportation which fully supports student success and achievement. The CAO works in constant collaboration with School Boards, provides leadership to all STSCO staff, and fosters a culture of safety. They are responsible for planning, organizing and directing all activities related to these important functions. A fulsome listing of the key responsibilities is listed below.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides a safe, secure, on-time transportation for students of the three member School Boards and administers and coordinates all activities related to school transportation.
• Analyses the transportation system on a regular basis with a view to increasing effectiveness and efficiency and in consideration of member Boards' transportation policies.
• Negotiates contracts with school transportation service providers in accordance with member Board policies and guidelines.
• Serves as chief negotiator on behalf of STSCO relative to the contracting of school transportation services. Implements and oversees competitive procurement processes in accordance with member School Board policies and in accordance with Provincial requirements.
• Exhibits effective financial management in developing and administering an annual consolidated transportation budget, in conjunction with member boards. Provides regular budget estimates, as required.
• Serves as principal party on behalf of STSCO in facilitating dispute resolution procedures with parents or guardians.
• Assists in the periodic review of member Boards' school organizations and boundaries, providing advice and recommendations with respect to transportation issues. Informs stakeholders regarding all changes to policies and guidelines concerning school transportation.
• Prepares guidelines for transportation contractors to ensure they adhere to relevant Ministry and School Board directives.
• Administers Key Performance Indicator monitoring in support of meeting transportation service goals and in support of contractor performance monitoring.
• Serves as chief resource person to STSCO's Governance Committee, organizes and prepares agendas and reports and recommendations for STSCO's Governance Committee.
• Attends meetings as required on behalf of STSCO or the member boards, including such meetings as Board meetings, school council meeting, municipal and regional meetings, environmental task force meetings, etc.
• Fosters expanded relations with potential partners and allies in the provision of student transportation.
• Prepares statistical, financial, administrative and other reports, in particular those that support provincial government funding calculations.
• Acts as spokesperson concerning matters related to school transportation and pupil safety.
• Makes decisions, in consultation with bus contractors, pertaining to bus cancellations due to inclement weather conditions. Oversees use of STSCO website and social media to inform stakeholders, public and media of bus system alerts, emergencies and inclement weather route delays and cancellations.
• Serves as chief contact for STSCO's participation in emergency planning activities for member Boards and area municipalities.
• Supports promotion of student safety through implementation of semi-annual, school based bus evacuation and safety training initiatives and ensures annual orientation sessions for new school bus riders.
• Leads accident investigations and administer insurance reporting requirements
• Provides leadership, vision, support, mentorship and effective management of the personnel within the Consortium.
• Provides member Boards with timely information of all operational events that are publicly visible, anticipated media coverage, threatened or pending lawsuits.
• Remains apprised of relevant Ministry of Education and Ministry of Transportation legislation and regulations, particularly the Highway Traffic Act, and ensures compliance with same.
• Ensures the preparation and distribution of transportation information to schools, parents/guardians, and operators for the September start-up and throughout the year.
• Assumes other responsibilities as assigned.

SUPERVISION:

This position has direct supervisory responsibility for the Manager of Operations, Executive Secretary, Transportation Safety Lead and Computer Systems Supervisor. Provide leadership to all STSCO staff including direct reports listed above, Area Route Specialists, Special Needs Route Specialist, Database Specialist, and Transportation Technical Specialist.

MAIN CONTACTS:

Internal contacts include: Colleagues, Principals, Trustees, Students, Teachers, Support Staff, Managers, Administrative Staff, and Senior Administration including the Director of Education.

External contacts include: Parents, Police Services and Provincial Ministries, including the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Transportation.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, geography, planning or related field.
• 6 to 10 years of management experience in school board transportation or relevant school board business

functions.

• Demonstrated strong written, oral and interpersonal communication and organizational skills including

report writing, presentation skills and group facilitation skills.

• Demonstrated experience collaborating with supporting entities (e.g. Unions, Board Staff, Trustees,

Schools).

• Experience in the administration of collective agreements, policy development and implementation.
• Proven supervisory experience with strong leadership, mentoring and team building skills.
• Commitment to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Demonstrated tact, diplomacy, emotional intelligence, and initiative.
• Demonstrated customer service skills.
• Ability to effectively apply outlined policy, guidelines and procedures to ensure most effective course of

action.

• Valid Ontario Driver's License.
• Thorough knowledge of school transportation industry and related government regulations and

requirements.

APPLY:

Interested applicants are invited to submit their application electronically through

Job Code # 3984669, no later than 4:00pm on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.

While we welcome all applications, we will only respond to those who are short-listed for this role. We thank all interested applicants for your understanding and we wish you the best in your career journey.

NEXT STEPS:

• Shortlisted candidates will be contacted via email to participate in a virtual introductory interview which will be scheduled shortly after the closing date
• This position requires the completion of a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening dated within 6 months of hire.

STSCO is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive workplace. We leverage our inclusive organizational culture to further build upon our dynamic and diverse workforce, reflective of the communities we serve. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC), we will work collaboratively and respectfully with you in all stages of the recruitment process and throughout your employment. For further information about what accommodation and accessibility look like at STSCO please refer to our website.

If you require accommodation at any stage of the hiring process, please contact Hilary Howran at 705-748-4861 ext. 1193 or email

Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. In accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the personal information provided is collected under the Education Act and will be used to determine employment eligibility.