Via is using technology to transform transportation around the world. From changing a single person’s daily commute to reducing humanity’s collective environmental footprint — we’ve got huge goals.
Via has partnered with 100+ cities and public transit agencies around the world to deploy our mobility technology. As the Safety Operations Manager, you will oversee driver safety programs, lead in-person and virtual training, and support market operations to ensure our drivers meet the highest standards of safety and service.
What You’ll Do:
Responsibilities
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Serve as the primary safety lead for the service - conducting post-incident reviews, safety audits, and ride-alongs to ensure compliance with company and regulatory standards.
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Monitor trends in safety data and collaborate with central operations to identify opportunities for proactive coaching or process improvements.
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Support and occasionally act as the Designated Employer Representative (DER) for DOT compliance, ensuring accurate recordkeeping and timely follow-up on testing or incidents.
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Lead root cause analyses for accidents and incidents and develop corrective action plans.
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Design, deliver, and continually improve driver training programs - including onboarding, remedial, and refresher sessions - with a strong focus on safety, defensive driving, and passenger assistance.
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Provide hands-on instruction in:
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Wheelchair Securement & Passenger Sensitivity
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Defensive Driving
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De-escalation & Customer Interaction
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CPR/First Aid & Emergency Procedures
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Evaluate driver performance through ride-alongs, skills assessments, and feedback sessions.
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Maintain training documentation, certifications, and compliance records.
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Conduct regular ride along’s to observe service quality, reinforce training, and coach drivers in real-world conditions.
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Serve as a visible leader across markets - fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and support.
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Partner with operations, safety, and compliance teams to align local practices with company-wide goals.
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Assist in driver scheduling for trainings and ensure operational readiness.
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Support reporting and communication between field teams and central operations
Who You Are:
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Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with passenger endorsement required.
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3+ years of experience in driver training, operations management, or field supervision, preferably in fixed route and paratransit settings.
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Proven ability to coach, motivate, and manage performance among diverse driver teams.
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Strong understanding of safety protocols, ADA requirements, and DOT regulations.
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Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to train and inspire adult learners.
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Comfort balancing field work with administrative and compliance tasks.
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Proficiency with digital tools (LMS platforms, dashboards, spreadsheets, etc)
Certifications & Professional Development:
We will support continued professional development and certification renewal, including:
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PASS (Passenger Assistance Safety and Sensitivity)
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LLLC Defensive Driving
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CPR/First Aid
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De-escalation Training
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Other state- or service-specific certifications as needed.
Compensation and Benefits:
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Salary Range: $75,000 - $85,000 / year
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Final salary will be determined based on experience, knowledge, and skills.
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Comprehensive benefits package, including medical coverage, paid time off, and 401(k) matching.
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Opportunities for certification, advancement, and leadership development.