Safety Operations Manager

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:

- 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.

- Monitor trends in safety data and collaborate with central operations to identify opportunities for proactive coaching or process improvements.

- Support and occasionally act as the Designated Employer Representative (DER) for DOT compliance, ensuring accurate recordkeeping and timely follow-up on testing or incidents.

- Lead root cause analyses for accidents and incidents and develop corrective action plans.

- 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.

- Provide hands-on instruction in:

- Wheelchair Securement & Passenger Sensitivity

- Defensive Driving

- De-escalation & Customer Interaction

- CPR/First Aid & Emergency Procedures

- Evaluate driver performance through ride-alongs, skills assessments, and feedback sessions.

- Maintain training documentation, certifications, and compliance records.

- Conduct regular ride along’s to observe service quality, reinforce training, and coach drivers in real-world conditions.

- Serve as a visible leader across markets - fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and support.

- Partner with operations, safety, and compliance teams to align local practices with company-wide goals.

- Assist in driver scheduling for trainings and ensure operational readiness.

- Support reporting and communication between field teams and central operations

Who You Are:

- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with passenger endorsement required.

- 3+ years of experience in driver training, operations management, or field supervision, preferably in fixed route and paratransit settings.

- Proven ability to coach, motivate, and manage performance among diverse driver teams.

- Strong understanding of safety protocols, ADA requirements, and DOT regulations.

- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to train and inspire adult learners.

- Comfort balancing field work with administrative and compliance tasks.

- Proficiency with digital tools (LMS platforms, dashboards, spreadsheets, etc)

Certifications & Professional Development:

We will support continued professional development and certification renewal, including:

- PASS (Passenger Assistance Safety and Sensitivity)

- LLLC Defensive Driving

- CPR/First Aid

- De-escalation Training

- Other state- or service-specific certifications as needed.

Compensation and Benefits:

- Salary Range: $75,000 - $85,000 / year

- Final salary will be determined based on experience, knowledge, and skills.

- Comprehensive benefits package, including medical coverage, paid time off, and 401(k) matching.

- Opportunities for certification, advancement, and leadership development.

Ready to join the ride?

Via is an equal opportunity employer.