Area Safety Manager - Southwestern ON

Location: Southwestern Ontario - Guelph, Halton Region, London, Kitchener, Hamilton, Brantford

The Area Safety Manager (ASM) plays a key role in supporting safety across operational, facility and shop activities at designated locations within the Greater Toronto Area. Reporting directly to the Canada Regional Safety Director., the ASM drives behavioural and organizational change through effective leadership, influence and change management.

The ASM analyzes safety data, identifies risks and partners with location leadership to implement targeted improvements. This role supports the integration of divisional safety initiatives into area operations and monitors compliance with applicable federal and provincial regulations, company policies and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Regional Safety Director (RSD), Location Safety Managers (LSMs), Location Managers (LMs) and Maintenance Managers to develop and implement safety measures in accordance with approved budgets and company guidance.
• Identify locations performing below established safety targets, analyze contributing factors and work with location teams to develop and implement improvement plans.
• Conduct comprehensive investigations into serious incidents, support the development of corrective actions and ensure lessons learned are communicated and implemented.
• Share safety best practices and effective approaches to problem-solving across assigned locations.
• Support the RSD and Risk Management with claims management and litigation matters. Conduct root cause analysis with Operations and Maintenance, as required.
• Work closely with the workers' compensation third-party administrator to support proactive claims management.
• Provide safety-related guidance to location leadership, the Area Training Manager and Recruiting to support driver onboarding, where appropriate. Trainer staffing, recruitment, onboarding administration and training coordination remain with location leadership and the responsible training and recruiting teams.
• Help locations identify and implement corrective actions following safety events. Review related disciplinary actions in partnership with HR and Operations.
• Provide oversight across multiple locations to support compliance with First Student policies, standard operating procedures and applicable laws and regulations. Communicate compliance results to regional and senior leadership.
• Prepare monthly safety reports and performance analyses, identify trends and recommend corrective actions to the Area General Manager and location management teams.
• Assess location safety performance using current company-approved systems, including Samsara where applicable.
• Partner with Location Managers in the recruitment, selection and onboarding of new Location Safety Managers.
• Provide safety training for new Location Managers and Location Safety Managers, develop LSM competencies and support regional safety workshops, as appropriate.
• Use applicable company systems, including Focus and Samsara where appropriate, to monitor safety performance, support compliance and identify opportunities to reduce operational risk.
• Conduct location Safety Wellness Checks at least annually, with more frequent inspections and reviews at higher-risk locations, as needed.
• Provide safety-related input to location leadership and the Area Training Manager when incident trends or identified risks indicate a need for additional driver coaching or training. Support the responsible teams in addressing concerns and monitoring the effectiveness of corrective actions.
• Conduct safety audits to supplement the Site Safety Review process. Work with locations, Regional Vice Presidents (RVPs) and Area General Managers (AGMs) to ensure identified actions are completed.
• Partner with RVPs, AGMs and LMs to communicate and implement divisional safety initiatives and actions.
• Provide technical safety guidance to LSMs, as needed. Coordinate priorities with Location Managers to support operational and safety needs.
• Communicate safety and compliance concerns related to driver practices or vehicle operations to location leadership and the Area Training Manager. Support corrective actions within the Safety function's scope, while training-program administration, compliance verification and quality assurance remain with location leadership and the Area Training Manager.
• Support the planning and delivery of kickoff and safety meetings in partnership with location staff.
• Provide safety support for operational startups, as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education or Certifications Required

• Two years of college education preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Relevant safety or transportation certifications, including training through the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS).

Minimum Experience or Skills Required

• Seven years of safety or transportation experience.
• Knowledge of Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO) rules and regulations and the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
• Ability to interpret and apply safety key performance indicators (KPIs) and conduct risk assessments.
• Strong commitment to safety and thorough incident investigation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Strong ability to use company-approved technology, applications and shared systems to manage information and monitor performance.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to analyze data, conduct root cause analysis and guide others through the process.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working in a unionized environment is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to train, coach and provide leadership.
• Collision investigation training.
• Provincial Instructor Certification in at least one province within the region.
• Certified Smith System Defensive Driving Instructor.

Compensation

• Up to $100,000 base salary
• Benefits and Matching RRSP program

About First Student

First Student is a leading provider of school transportation services across Canada and the United States. Our teams work with school districts to provide safe, reliable and cost-effective transportation, with safety at the centre of everything we do.

Our employees support continuous improvement through training, technology and a shared commitment to the students, passengers and communities we serve.

Apply today to join our team!

An Inclusive Workplace

At First Student, we aspire to create a culture where all people are First. We strive to attract and retain a diverse workforce and encourage applications from women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples and members of visible minorities.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. First Student is an equal opportunity employer committed to maintaining an inclusive culture.

We provide reasonable accommodation at all stages of the hiring process. Applicants who require accommodation are encouraged to let us know.

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.