Area Human Resources Manager

Area Human Resources Manager

Build Talent. Influence Leaders. Drive Business Success. Grow your career.

First Student is hiring a hybrid Area Human Resources Manager to support operations across Southern California, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah. As North America's largest provider of student transportation, we safely transport millions of students every day and are committed to attracting, developing, and retaining the talented leaders who make that possible.

If you are a strategic HR professional who thrives on building talent, coaching leaders, strengthening employee engagement, and partnering with operations to achieve business results, we want to hear from you.

This role is ideal for an HR professional seeking to expand their experience, strengthen their business partnership skills, and take the next step in their career while supporting a diverse, multi-state operation. You'll gain exposure to employee relations, labor relations, workforce planning, team development, and organizational strategy, creating a strong foundation for continued professional growth and advancement.

Why Join First Student?

This is more than an HR role. It's an opportunity to influence workforce strategy, develop future leaders, and help build high-performing teams across diverse and growing areas. You'll serve as a trusted advisor to operational leaders while driving initiatives that support employee success, organizational growth, and a culture where all people are First.

Whether you are an experienced HR professional or a rising HR leader looking for your next challenge, this position offers exceptional opportunities for professional growth, leadership development, and increased strategic responsibility within a dynamic and growing organization.

Location Preference

Candidates must be in Southern California due to the travel requirements of the assigned territory (Southern California, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado).

We Offer

• Salary Range: $100,000 - $130,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

• 401(k) with company match

• Paid holidays and paid time off

• Access to earned wages before payday through Chime® MyPay at Work™

• Salt® employee rewards and savings program

• Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement

• Hybrid work environment

Job Responsibilities

As the Area Human Resources Manager, you will partner closely with field leadership to build strong teams, develop talent strategies, and create positive employee experiences across multiple locations.

• Maintains positive and effective employee and labor relations within the assigned area.

• Builds effective relationships with employees and leaders at all levels of the organization.

• Ensures effective implementation and administration of corporate and regional policies.

• Creates recommendations related to workforce planning and organizational development.

• Provides guidance to field operations in the areas of dispute resolution, labor administration, positive culture building, and policy compliance.

• Oversees implementation of HR programs and monitors results.

• Conducts workplace investigations and maintains thorough documentation related to employee relations matters.

• Partners with operational leadership to support staffing strategies, workforce planning, employee engagement, and talent development initiatives.

• Works with Safety and Talent Acquisition teams to build positive and compliant teams.

• Visits locations regularly to support field operations, build positive relationships, and business objectives.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Minimum of three years of progressive Human Resources experience, including employee relations, workforce planning, and organizational development.

• Employee relations experience, including conducting workplace investigations and maintaining thorough documentation, required.

• Experience supporting field operations and partnering directly with operational leaders preferred.

• Multi-facility experience desired.

• Strong administrative, organizational, and time-management skills.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to influence and build relationships at all levels of the organization.

• Ability to adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Computer literate.

• Ability and willingness to travel throughout the assigned region.

Work Environment

• Hybrid role consisting of approximately two remote workdays and three field support days per week

• Regular travel required throughout Southern California, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah

Language Requirement

This role requires English proficiency. Federal, state, and local requirements, including U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, require training, safety communications, company policies, employment documents, and other job-related communications be conducted in English.

First for a reason:

At First Student, we are a family of 60,000+ employees who take pride in safely transporting more than 5 million students and passengers to and from their destinations each day! Our family of brands include Transco, Total Transportation, Maggies Paratransit, and GVC II. Our employees are at the forefront of safety and innovation; they create and implement the most advanced training and technology the transportation industry has to offer.

In the state of Washington, all technician and driving positions, including but not limited to van drivers and any other position requiring employees to drive a company-owned vehicle, are considered safety-sensitive and are therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing, including cannabis.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. First is also committed to providing a drug-free workplace. First will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, and any other fair chance law. Philadelphia's Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance Poster is at this link or upon request