Director 1 HR Employee Relations Transportation
Apply NowCompany: Houston Independent School District
Location: Houston, TX 77084
Description:
Location: Hattie Mae White
Department: Employee Relations
Area:Northwest
Contract Months:12
Salary Range: $130,000.00 - $155,000.00
Academic Year: 24-25
JOB SUMMARY
The HR Director I - Employee Relations (Transportation) provides strategic leadership and human resources expertise to support employee relations across the district's transportation operations. In alignment with HISD's commitment to operational excellence and employee engagement, this position leads employee relations efforts for transportation personnel, including bus drivers, mechanics, dispatchers, and supervisors. The HR Director partners closely with transportation leadership, school administrators, and union representatives to address employee concerns, resolve workplace issues, and ensure adherence to district policies and labor regulations, while driving continuous improvement in employee relations practices.
MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
List most important duties first
1. Provide strategic leadership and vision for HR operations within the transportation department, ensuring alignment with the district's mission, values, and transportation service goals.
2. Develop and implement employee relations strategies tailored to the unique needs of transportation personnel, addressing field-based challenges, safety-sensitive roles, and operational demands.
3. Ensure compliance with employment laws and transportation-specific regulations, including Department of Transportation (DOT), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and district policies. Regularly update HR procedures to reflect changes.
4. Serve as a key point of contact for transportation employee conflicts, grievances, and workplace disputes. Lead mediation and resolution efforts with fairness and neutrality.
5. Conduct comprehensive investigations into employee complaints, including issues related to misconduct, harassment, discrimination, and operational incidents involving transportation staff.
6. Foster a respectful, safety-oriented workplace culture across transportation hubs, promoting professional development, communication, and collaboration among diverse employee groups.
7. Collaborate with transportation operations, HR colleagues, and district leadership to coordinate efforts, share best practices, and streamline employee relations processes.
8. Monitor departmental performance, using data and key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess employee engagement, safety metrics, and resolution timelines; implement improvements as needed.
MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED
9. Coach and support transportation managers and supervisors in handling performance management, disciplinary processes, and employee development in line with district policies.
10. Partner with unions representing transportation staff to negotiate collective bargaining agreements, address labor concerns, and maintain compliance with contractual obligations.
11. Represent the district and transportation department at internal and external meetings, training sessions, and professional development events as a spokesperson for HR and employee relations.
12. Collaborate with legal counsel on complex transportation-related employee matters, ensuring risk mitigation and legal compliance.
13. Provide regular updates and reports to senior management and other stakeholders on departmental activities, achievements, and challenges.
14. Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies within the department's scope of work.
15. Continuously seek opportunities for professional development and growth to enhance leadership skills and industry knowledge.
16. Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
EDUCATION
Bachelor's degree in human resources, labor relations, business administration, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Minimum of 3 years of proven experience in a leadership role, preferably within a similar industry or organization.
SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION
Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
Demonstrated track record of successfully leading and managing teams, fostering a high-performance culture.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
Strong financial acumen, with experience in budget planning, financial management, and resource allocation.
Proven ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives that drive organizational growth and impact.
Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with the capacity to navigate complex challenges.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Knowledge of relevant industry regulations, compliance standards, and best practices.
Ability to adapt to change and lead teams through organizational transitions.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and practices.
Strong ethical standards and integrity in decision-making.
Professional certifications or memberships relevant to the industry or leadership role are desirable.
LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic oversight for multiple departments and/or a major division or for the entire district. Provides strategic direction and develops long-range plans which impact multiple departments or divisions. Using in-depth knowledge of multiple disciplines, identifies and evaluates high-impact issues, and provides strategy and direction to a major functional area or multiple departments. Establishes programs and policies, and ensures integration of operational objectives across multiple, major departments, program areas and possibly district-wide.
WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT
Work is non-standardized and widely varied, involving many complex and significant variables including significant time spent planning, evaluating complex solutions and issues, and negotiating outcomes. Strong analytic ability and inductive thinking are frequently required to devise new approaches to situations where previously accepted solutions have proven inadequate. Position regularly makes recommendations to management on areas of significance to the division. Supervision received typically consists of providing periodic coaching, advice and feedback.
BUDGET AUTHORITY
Participates in a group plan and/or budget development.
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 considerable impact to multiple divisions or the district causing risks or improvements to relationships, significant efficiencies or delays in operations, and/or significant financial gains or expenses. Errors are serious and difficult to discover, normally involve decisions not subject to detailed review and will result in excessive costs and/or significant project delays.
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 are typically with customers and Top Management.
CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS
Regularly assesses and diffuses complex, and escalated customer issues. Takes personal responsibility and accountability for solving systemic customer service problems. Regularly explores alternative and creative solutions to meeting the needs of the customer within HISD's policies and guidelines.
WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unpleasant elements.
Ability to carry and/or lift less than 15 pounds.
Houston Independent School District is an equal opportunity employer.
Department: Employee Relations
Area:Northwest
Contract Months:12
Salary Range: $130,000.00 - $155,000.00
Academic Year: 24-25
JOB SUMMARY
The HR Director I - Employee Relations (Transportation) provides strategic leadership and human resources expertise to support employee relations across the district's transportation operations. In alignment with HISD's commitment to operational excellence and employee engagement, this position leads employee relations efforts for transportation personnel, including bus drivers, mechanics, dispatchers, and supervisors. The HR Director partners closely with transportation leadership, school administrators, and union representatives to address employee concerns, resolve workplace issues, and ensure adherence to district policies and labor regulations, while driving continuous improvement in employee relations practices.
MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
List most important duties first
1. Provide strategic leadership and vision for HR operations within the transportation department, ensuring alignment with the district's mission, values, and transportation service goals.
2. Develop and implement employee relations strategies tailored to the unique needs of transportation personnel, addressing field-based challenges, safety-sensitive roles, and operational demands.
3. Ensure compliance with employment laws and transportation-specific regulations, including Department of Transportation (DOT), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and district policies. Regularly update HR procedures to reflect changes.
4. Serve as a key point of contact for transportation employee conflicts, grievances, and workplace disputes. Lead mediation and resolution efforts with fairness and neutrality.
5. Conduct comprehensive investigations into employee complaints, including issues related to misconduct, harassment, discrimination, and operational incidents involving transportation staff.
6. Foster a respectful, safety-oriented workplace culture across transportation hubs, promoting professional development, communication, and collaboration among diverse employee groups.
7. Collaborate with transportation operations, HR colleagues, and district leadership to coordinate efforts, share best practices, and streamline employee relations processes.
8. Monitor departmental performance, using data and key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess employee engagement, safety metrics, and resolution timelines; implement improvements as needed.
MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED
9. Coach and support transportation managers and supervisors in handling performance management, disciplinary processes, and employee development in line with district policies.
10. Partner with unions representing transportation staff to negotiate collective bargaining agreements, address labor concerns, and maintain compliance with contractual obligations.
11. Represent the district and transportation department at internal and external meetings, training sessions, and professional development events as a spokesperson for HR and employee relations.
12. Collaborate with legal counsel on complex transportation-related employee matters, ensuring risk mitigation and legal compliance.
13. Provide regular updates and reports to senior management and other stakeholders on departmental activities, achievements, and challenges.
14. Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies within the department's scope of work.
15. Continuously seek opportunities for professional development and growth to enhance leadership skills and industry knowledge.
16. Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
EDUCATION
Bachelor's degree in human resources, labor relations, business administration, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Minimum of 3 years of proven experience in a leadership role, preferably within a similar industry or organization.
SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION
Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
Demonstrated track record of successfully leading and managing teams, fostering a high-performance culture.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
Strong financial acumen, with experience in budget planning, financial management, and resource allocation.
Proven ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives that drive organizational growth and impact.
Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with the capacity to navigate complex challenges.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Knowledge of relevant industry regulations, compliance standards, and best practices.
Ability to adapt to change and lead teams through organizational transitions.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and practices.
Strong ethical standards and integrity in decision-making.
Professional certifications or memberships relevant to the industry or leadership role are desirable.
LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic oversight for multiple departments and/or a major division or for the entire district. Provides strategic direction and develops long-range plans which impact multiple departments or divisions. Using in-depth knowledge of multiple disciplines, identifies and evaluates high-impact issues, and provides strategy and direction to a major functional area or multiple departments. Establishes programs and policies, and ensures integration of operational objectives across multiple, major departments, program areas and possibly district-wide.
WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT
Work is non-standardized and widely varied, involving many complex and significant variables including significant time spent planning, evaluating complex solutions and issues, and negotiating outcomes. Strong analytic ability and inductive thinking are frequently required to devise new approaches to situations where previously accepted solutions have proven inadequate. Position regularly makes recommendations to management on areas of significance to the division. Supervision received typically consists of providing periodic coaching, advice and feedback.
BUDGET AUTHORITY
Participates in a group plan and/or budget development.
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 considerable impact to multiple divisions or the district causing risks or improvements to relationships, significant efficiencies or delays in operations, and/or significant financial gains or expenses. Errors are serious and difficult to discover, normally involve decisions not subject to detailed review and will result in excessive costs and/or significant project delays.
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 are typically with customers and Top Management.
CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS
Regularly assesses and diffuses complex, and escalated customer issues. Takes personal responsibility and accountability for solving systemic customer service problems. Regularly explores alternative and creative solutions to meeting the needs of the customer within HISD's policies and guidelines.
WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unpleasant elements.
Ability to carry and/or lift less than 15 pounds.
Houston Independent School District is an equal opportunity employer.