Public Relations Specialist Jobs in Austin, TX

The Opportunity:

BusPatrol is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Policy Leader with deep knowledge, experience, and interest in traffic safety policy development and state/local legislative implementation to serve as our Vice President of Public Policy and Government Relations.

This high-profile position reports directly to the executive leadership team and works in close partnership with the Growth, Legal, Operations, and Marketing departments. Candidates must demonstrate an ability to work successfully with limited supervision, leading independently while aligning seamlessly with overarching company goals. The VP of Public Policy must help cultivate motivated and credible local leaders—armed with the right research and proposals—to advance a winning legislative agenda. You will continue our success in authorizing automated enforcement laws in close cooperation with our national and local civic, elected, law enforcement, and school district partners, backing them up with data and mobilizing diverse and compelling voices.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Coalition Building: Manage policy-related activities in partnership with targeted constituent groups (e.g., law enforcement, school boards, safety advocates) at the state and municipal levels across the country.
• Legislative Leadership: Lead BusPatrol's public policy development, legislative drafting, and implementation efforts to authorize and expand automated school bus stop-arm enforcement at multiple levels of government.
• Team & Lobbyist Management: Supervise the work product of a high-functioning internal government relations team and manage a diverse network of external contract lobbyists. Oversee legislative tracking, content creation, and project management.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Develop tactics and strategy for a number of distinct state-by-state policy initiatives, working closely with BusPatrol’s Growth, Legal, and Communications teams to ensure compliance and market readiness.
• Technology Policy Integration: Work with our partner municipalities and school districts across the U.S. to help them prepare policies for emerging technological innovations in traffic safety, automated enforcement, and smart city data platforms.
• Partner Empowerment: Build the capacity of our local champions and partners to effectively engage with state and local leaders on our shared child safety and traffic enforcement policy agenda.
• Market Expansion: In target growth states, work directly with local partners to promote violator-funded safety programs and secure the necessary legislative and regulatory frameworks for new deployments.
• Public Evangelism: Travel and speak on behalf of BusPatrol and its safety coalition, including testifying at legislative hearings, participating in industry workshops and conferences, and engaging in media interviews.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10+ years of progressive leadership experience working in public advocacy, government affairs, lobbying, or a closely related policy field at the state or larger municipality level.
• Deep knowledge of the legislative process at multiple levels of government, as well as the ability to think strategically, negotiate effectively, and work across party lines.
• Proven staff management and project management skills, including experience managing remote teams and contract lobbyists.
• Excellent time management, organizational, and research skills.
• Ability to strategically prioritize workload and execute a high volume of work in a fast-paced, hyper-growth environment.
• Superb written and verbal communication skills, with a high degree of accuracy, attention to detail, and the ability to draft legislation and policy memos.
• Comfortable working in a collaborative team environment and dealing effectively and tactfully with a wide variety of stakeholders (politicians, police chiefs, superintendents).
• Must be proficient with the Microsoft Office suite and comfortable working with CRM and legislative tracking software.

Preferred Qualifications

• A Juris Doctorate (JD) or an advanced degree in public policy, public administration, political science, planning, or a related field.
• Experience working within or closely with a state or local transportation agency, department of education, or law enforcement agency.
• Subject matter expertise in camera-based traffic enforcement, transportation policy, education policy, or GovTech/B2G sales environments.
• Experience working with diverse populations and driving policy that positively impacts community equity and public safety.

BusPatrol Value Proposition:

Who We Are

At BusPatrol, safety isn’t just a priority — it’s our mission. As the nation’s most trusted school bus stop-arm technology solution, we serve over 350 school districts, protecting nearly 2 million students across 30,000 buses. Every day, millions of children rely on school buses to get to and from school safely, yet reckless drivers continue to put them at risk.

As a technology company with a unique focus on public safety, we use cutting-edge AI, machine learning, and telematics to improve school bus safety. Our all-in-one safety program equips school bus fleets with AI-powered cameras, cloud-based data management, and an integrated software platform to capture and process stop-arm violations. Our safety programs foster accountability and reduce dangerous driving behavior in communities across the country.

By partnering with school districts, municipalities, and law enforcement, we make safety solutions more accessible and effective, ensuring that every child’s journey to and from school is as safe as possible.

What We Offer

When you join BusPatrol, you are not just taking a job. You are joining a mission-driven team dedicated to making a real impact. We offer:

Competitive salary and benefits package

Unlimited PTO

A purpose-driven career, working to protect children and improve public safety

The occasion to participate in BusPatrol’s culture of safety, learning, and teamwork

A team of innovators, committed to leveraging AI and smart technology for social good

Be Part of Something Bigger

We are looking for a passionate and dedicated team member to help us make roads safer. This is a meaningful opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven company that is using technology to create real change. At BusPatrol, we foster an inclusive and diverse environment built on integrity, collaboration, and innovation. If you are ready to be part of a team that is deeply committed to safety and community impact, we would love to hear from you.

Together, we can protect students, hold drivers accountable, and build a safer future for all.

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