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.