Transportation Unit Leader

Area: District Wide

Contract Months:12

Salary Range: $60,000.00 – $80,000.00

Academic Year: 25-26

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.

1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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.

5. 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. 6. 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. 8. 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.

• 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.

• 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.
• 3 -5 years of related job experience.
• • 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.

• 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.

• Advice on budget development for department.

• 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.

N/A

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.