Director of Public Policy

BusPatrol Inc.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 225,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits package

Comprehensive personal time off

Opportunities for professional development

Job summary

A leading safety technology company is seeking a Director of Public Policy and Government Relations to support policy development and communicate legislative strategies. The ideal candidate will have 7–10 years of experience in public policy and government affairs, along with exceptional analytical and communication skills. Key responsibilities include conducting research, drafting legislation, and collaborating with various teams. This role offers a competitive salary package, including a base salary range of $225,000 to $250,000 per year, with opportunities for growth and impact in child safety initiatives.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of experience in public policy, government affairs, or lobbying.
• Demonstrated success in advancing policy initiatives in relevant areas.
• Strong organizational skills and a self-starter mindset.

Responsibilities

• Conduct state-by-state policy research and analysis.
• Draft and support negotiation of legislation.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners.

Skills

Political strategy skills

Excellent writing and communication abilities

Analytical and research skills

Public speaking

Problem solving

Education

Juris Doctorate or advanced degree in public administration

Job description

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.

Location

This role is open to candidates across the United States; however, preference will be given to those based in or near the following metropolitan areas:

• New York City Metro Area
• Boston, MA
• Washington, DC
• Austin, TX or Houston, TX
• Las Vegas, NV
• Los Angeles or San Francisco, CA
• Seattle, WA

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

Minimum US Base Salary

USD $225,000.00/Yr.

Maximum US Base Salary

USD $250,000.00/Yr.