Transportation Unit Leader - Safety

Job Description

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. The Transportation Unit Leader is responsible for monitoring attendance, supporting fleet readiness, addressing student-specific needs, and fostering a culture of teamwork and accountability.

Transportation Unit Leader - Safety - Responsibilities

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

Transportation Unit Leader - Safety - Skills

Job Qualifications

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.

Certifications/Licensure

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

• Advises 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

• Decisions have moderate impact to the facility/department or division, causing increased satisfaction or dissatisfaction; producing efficiencies or delays; promoting or inhibiting personal intellectual or professional development; and/or contributing to financial gain or expense. Errors may be serious, usually not subject to direct verification or check, causing losses such as improper cost calculations, overpayment or improper utilization of labor, materials or equipment. Effect usually confined to the organization itself and is short term.

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

• Work is normally performed in interior and exterior work environments. -Valid Texas driver''s license with applicable insurance coverage. -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.