Human Resources staff members are available to assist employees and potential employees in any way, so that Topeka Public Schools students receive the best possible education.
Topeka Public Schools is always seeking outstanding new employees for open positions. Current vacancies can be found on our Job Opportunities website. If you see a vacancy posted for a position that interests you, we encourage you to apply. We continuously accept applications, and we may consider you for a position on future vacancies.
If you are an employee looking for staff policies, procedures or forms, they can be found on the staff site under "Departments."
TPS Welcomes Ms. rachel swartz as chief hr compliance officer
Topeka Public Schools is excited to welcome Ms. Rachel Swartz as the Chief Human Resources Compliance Officer, bringing a strong foundation in public-sector leadership, organizational accountability, and human-centered systems that support educators, staff, and students.
Raised in the Topeka area, Ms. Swartz is a graduate of Topeka High School and a proud alumna of Washburn University, where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Bachelor of Technology Administration with Honors. Her roots in the community shape her perspective on public education and reinforce her belief in schools as anchors for opportunity, stability, and growth.
Ms. Swartz’s career spans more than a decade of progressive responsibility in human resources, compliance, auditing, and HR systems within Kansas educational and governmental organizations. She previously held senior leadership roles with Kansas City Kansas Public Schools, providing oversight for HR operations, including compensation, benefits, payroll coordination, and regulatory reporting. In these roles, she partnered with district leadership to strengthen internal processes, improve workforce systems, and support compliance with state and federal requirements.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Swartz served as an Auditor with the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS), where she worked directly with school districts across Kansas to review payroll reporting, ensure statutory compliance, and promote sound financial practices. Most recently, she served as HRIS Administrator for the City of Overland Park, leading enterprise human capital systems and advancing accurate, data-informed workforce management.
Ms. Swartz has successfully earned the SHRM-SCP (Senior Certified Professional) credential, reflecting advanced expertise in strategic human resources leadership, governance, and organizational effectiveness.
As Chief Human Resources Officer, Ms. Swartz is focused on building reliable systems, supporting a respectful and inclusive workplace, and ensuring the district’s human resources practices align with its mission and values. Serving the district she once attended is both a professional honor and a deep personal commitment; representing a meaningful opportunity to give back to the community that helped shape her personal and professional journey.