Director of Public Policy
Location:
Austin, Texas
Overview
BusPatrol is seeking a strategic and detail-oriented professional to join our team as Director of Public Policy and Government Relations. This role is ideal for someone with strong political strategy skills, excellent writing and communication abilities, and deep knowledge of state and local laws. The Director will support policy development, coalition building, and communications strategy to advance traffic safety initiatives through technology. This position plays a critical role in shaping legislation, guiding compliance across our business, and helping advance BusPatrol’s mission of keeping children safe on the journey to and from school.
Responsibilities:
Conduct state-by-state policy research and analysis to identify differences in laws and regulations.
Draft and support the negotiation of legislation, providing analysis and recommendations to leadership.
Partner with external contract lobbyists and advocacy partners to advance state-level policy goals.
Collaborate across internal teams — operations, product, legal, government ops, finance, and implementation — to translate policy requirements into actionable steps.
Provide subject matter expertise on regulatory and legislative issues impacting growth and compliance.
Develop briefing materials, legislative summaries, and policy papers to position BusPatrol as a thought leader in traffic safety technology.
Represent BusPatrol at conferences, policy forums, and industry events; participate in panels and speaking engagements as needed.
Contribute to the development of communication strategies that support coalition-building and stakeholder engagement.
Qualifications:
7–10 years of experience in public policy, government affairs, or lobbying at the state or large municipal level.
Demonstrated success advancing policy initiatives in transportation, education, or technology-related areas.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate, and educate stakeholders.
Experience with public speaking and media engagement preferred.
Strong analytical and research skills with attention to detail.
Highly organized, self-starter, and problem solver with a passion for child safety, transportation, and public policy.
A Juris Doctorate/law degree is preferred; however, an advanced degree in public administration or a similar field will be accepted.
BusPatrol Value Proposition:
WHO WE ARE
BusPatrol is a technology company with a public safety mission. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are strengthening trust, safety, and transparency across the student transportation space and making the trip to and from school safer for students. As a leader in smart transportation, BusPatrol brings cutting-edge AI, machine learning and IoT safety tech solutions to school buses across North America. BusPatrol’s technology has been deployed onto more buses and has been used to issue more school bus stop arm citations than any other company in the world.
WHAT WE OFFER
BusPatrol employees get:
A competitive salary and benefits package
Comprehensive personal time off, including volunteering and birthday days off
An opportunity to help build a company dedicated to children’s safety
The chance to join an innovative and dedicated team, focused on leading edge technology
The occasion to participate in BusPatrol’s culture of safety, learning, and teamwork
BusPatrol’s school bus safety programs are violator-funded, meaning that those who break the law pay for the technology that protects children. We build solid partnerships in the communities in which we operate which, coupled with our innovative business model, leads to sustainable efforts to change driver behaviors.
HOW WE WORK
On our mission to make the journey to and from school safer for children, the way we work together and with our partners is built on foundational cultural pillars.
SAFETY
Safety is our focus, for the children we protect and for each other. We follow the letter and spirit of occupational safety law, relentlessly employ safety best practices, and foster learning and development on our worksites. We are safe to be ourselves and to make mistakes, and we create safe environments for our teams.
CONNECTION
We build strong relationships and teams in support of our mission. We promote and provide opportunities for employees to grow together.
EXCELLENCE
We commit to innovation and quality work in support of our mission and each other. The children we safeguard are at the forefront of our decisions and actions and we excel on their behalf.
IMPACT
We measure success by fulfilling our mission and keeping the company strong. We invest our time and energy in the actions that deliver results for students and for their communities.
We are looking for a valued member of the BusPatrol team to assist us in our quest to improve children’s safety. This is an important role for us and a great opportunity for the right candidate. Our environment is inclusive, diverse, ignited, built on integrity, and deeply committed.
The US salary range for this position is provided in this posting. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your Talent Partner can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location and skill level during the hiring process.
Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, and/or commission (if applicable) or benefits.
EOE/AA Disability-Veteran