Administrative Skills, Budgeting, Bus Driving, Buses, Communication Skills, Customer Relations, Customer Service Evaluation, Driver's License, Educational Administration, Insurance, Leadership, Medicaid, Negotiation Skills, Office Equipment, Operations, Organizational Skills, PC (Personal Computer) Systems, People Management, Performance Analysis, Peripheral Hardware, Persuasion Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Procedure Implementation, Project Planning, Quality Management, Record Keeping, Regulatory Compliance, Reimbursement, Reporting Skills, Resource Management, Service Delivery, Support Documentation, Team Player, Time Tracking, Transportation Routing, Vehicle Fleets, Willing to Travel
Location: Central Bus Repair & Dist.
Department: Transportation AM- Central C1 U3
Area:District Wide
Contract Months:12
Salary Range: $60,000.00 - $80,000.00
Academic Year: 25-26
JOB SUMMARY
The Transportation Unit Leader serves as a frontline operations leader within HISD's Transportation Department, directly overseeing the daily performance and compliance of approximately 20 bus drivers and transportation attendants. This position plays a vital role in ensuring safe, efficient, and student-centered transportation services that support the district's instructional mission.
Aligned with HISD's high-performance culture and commitment to equity, the Transportation Unit Leader is responsible for monitoring attendance, supporting fleet readiness, addressing student-specific needs, and fostering a culture of teamwork and accountability. This role ensures daily operations meet the district's expectations for service reliability, regulatory compliance, and safe student travel.
MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Monitor Attendance & Time Compliance
- Track and oversee clock-in/out activity to ensure staff punctuality and attendance accuracy.
- Review timekeeping reports, resolve discrepancies, and monitor overtime to manage direct and indirect labor hours effectively.
- Ensure Fleet Readiness & Operational Coordination
- Collaborate with the Fleet Department to confirm all assigned buses are road-ready each day.
- Ensure drivers complete pre-trip inspections, follow vehicle cleanliness protocols, maintain appropriate fuel levels, and park according to terminal procedures.
- Support Safe Transportation for Special Populations
- Help implement transportation procedures tailored to students with disabilities, ensuring alignment with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
- Reinforce staff understanding of medical, behavioral, or physical accommodations required for specific student riders.
- Promote Student Safety & Attendant Development
- Support and train attendants in student supervision and safety practices during transport.
- Participate in professional development and departmental training to remain informed and responsive to student needs.
MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED
- Complete Administrative & Compliance Functions
- Maintain accurate records and support clerical tasks related to routing, service delivery, and operational tracking.
- Prepare monthly schedules and generate reports that support documentation requirements, including those tied to Medicaid reimbursement.
- Provide Operational Flexibility & Coverage
- Secure substitute coverage for driver absences and be available to operate routes during emergencies or staff shortages, ensuring uninterrupted student transportation.
7 Foster Effective Communication & Team Engagement
- Promote respectful, two-way communication with drivers and attendants to build trust, alignment, and shared accountability.
- Collaborate with dispatch, terminal leadership, and Transportation Coordinators to address challenges and improve overall service quality.
- Perform Other Duties as Assigned
- Demonstrate flexibility, initiative, and professionalism in supporting additional tasks or projects that contribute to the department's mission of safe, reliable service for all HISD students.
EDUCATION
Associate's Degree, preferred.
- Applicants who do not meet these qualifications may be considered if they have a unique combination of education and work experience that indicate potential for success in this role.
WORK EXPERIENCE
3 -5 years of related job experience.
SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION
- Class B CDL with Passenger and School Bus Endorsement, Texas School Bus Driver Certification and Federal DOT certification within 60 days.
- Possess and maintain an acceptable motor vehicle record.
LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
- Regularly manages staff in the completion of large-scale projects or a very closely related set of projects/initiatives often spanning multiple disciplines.
- Receives strategies and broad departmental objectives from senior leadership; establishes operational objectives and work plans; delegates assignments to subordinate management and staff.
- Allocates resources according to priorities and serves as the primary decision maker regarding hiring, performance and budget.
WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT
- Work is substantially complex, varied and regularly requires the selection and application of technical and detailed guidelines.
- Independent judgment is required to identify, select, and apply the most appropriate methods as well as interpret precedent.
- Position regularly makes recommendations to management on areas of significance to the department.
- Supervision received typically consists of providing direction on the more complex projects and new job duties and priorities.
BUDGET AUTHORITY
- Advice on budget development for department.
PROBLEM SOLVING
- Decisions are made with greater freedom and discretion, including recommendations that are subject to approval on matters that may affect multiple departments across HISD.
- Job is frequently expected to recommend new solutions to problems, to improve existing methods/procedures/services and generate new ideas.
- May also review decisions made by other individuals on more routine matters.
IMPACT OF DECISIONS
N/A
COMMUNICATION/INTERACTIONS
- Negotiate and influence - interprets department strategies and services, resolves conflicts, influences outcomes on matters of significance for the division, conducts final negotiations and coordinates approvals/decision making below the executive level.
- Interactions include schools, non-school departments, central office, senior, and executive management.
CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS
- Leads others in the resolution of highly sensitive and confidential issues on behalf of the department.
- Acts as a trusted advisor and becomes involved in the customer''s decision-making process including presenting alternatives and information and applying persuasion and negotiation skills in the resolution of problems.
- Monitors customer service standards.
WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
- Valid Texas driver's license with applicable insurance coverage.
- Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment, including personal computer and peripherals
- Posture: Prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
- Motion: Repetitive hand motions including frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching
- Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds)
- Environment: Prolonged or irregular hours, including some weekends; frequent districtwide travel
- Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions, maintain emotional control under stress, fast-paced
Houston Independent School District is an equal opportunity employer.
H
Houston Independent School District