NORTHWEST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

Job Title: Bus Driver (0722)
Reports to: Operations Manager
Dept. / Campus: Transportation
Duty Days: 187
Wage/Hour Status: Non-Exempt
Pay Grade: B02
Date Revised: 05/2023                                                                                                  

Primary Purpose:  
Operate school bus and related equipment to provide safe and orderly transportation of students and other authorized persons on assigned route, to and from other designated locations

Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years of age
• Ability to operate a bus
• Ability to move actively through large numbers of people in a limited amount of space
• Ability to act responsibly

Education/Certification:

• High school diploma or GED
• Clear and valid Texas commercial driver’s license with Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Ability to pass U.S. Department of Transportation alcohol and drug tests and annual physical exam
• Ability to complete required bus driver safety training
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions
• Ability to use maps and Global Positioning System (GPS) to follow routes and locate addresses
• Ability to manage student behavior
• Ability to communicate effectively with others
• Excellent personal and interpersonal skills

Vehicle Operation:

• Drive bus daily following assigned route and adhering to established schedules
• Drive bus to and from extracurricular activities
• Anticipate problems, such as traffic, weather, road conditions, and schedule changes, and make necessary adjustments to ensure student safety and reduce delays
• Perform pre- and post-trip inspections according to specifications to ensure bus can be operated safely, and notify Supervisor of needed repairs
• Keep assigned bus clean and maintain appropriate level of fuel
• Report all accidents, vehicle damage, student injuries, and mechanical problems, and complete required corresponding reports

Student Management:

• Instruct students on safe entering, exiting, and passenger rules and regulations
• Supervise students while they board and leave the bus and cross street
• Maintain discipline and use effective behavior management control over groups of students
• Report student discipline problems to appropriate administrator and communicate with teachers and parents regarding student’s behavior when warranted
• Perform emergency evacuation of students on bus when the situation warrants it
• Assist with lifting and carrying of students w/ disabilities on and off the bus according to their individual needs.

Routes & Schedules:

• Become familiar with all routes to and from school campus
• Maintain an updated route schedule

Safety:

• Observe all traffic laws and safety regulations for school buses
• Ensure proper condition of emergency equipment, such as first aid kit, fire extinguisher, flags, fuses, crowbar, and reflector
• Correct unsafe conditions in work area and promptly report conditions that are not immediately correctable to Supervisor.
• Report any hazardous conditions along scheduled route
• Maintain safety certification

Other:

• Operate and monitor two-way radio equipment to communicate with transportation office and other drivers
• Complete and maintain accurate, up-to-date, and timely records and reports including, but not limited to, those related to bus mileage, gas and oil consumption, and number of passengers transported
• Work irregular hours (Split shift)
• Perform other duties as assigned

Supervisory Duties:   
N/A

Working Conditions:

• Frequent exposure to extreme hot and cold temperatures, noise, and vehicle fumes
• Work around moving vehicles
• Frequently work irregular hours
• Occasionally work prolonged hours
• Subject to temperature extremes
• Subject to frequent interruptions
• Subject to frequent deadlines
• Subject to wet slippery surfaces
• Subject to enclosed spaces
• Exposure to fumes
• Exposure to dust
• Exposure to solvents
• Exposure to toxic chemicals/materials
• Exposure to noise
• Exposure to rain, snow, sleet, lightning, wind, sun, ice
• Exposure to roof tar, grease, oils
• Exposure to insulation fibers

Tools & Equipment Used:

• School bus
• Two-way radio
• Global positioning system (GPS)
• Wheelchair lift
• Safety equipment, including but not limited to:
  • Flares
  • Reflective signs
  • Fire Extinguisher
    
    

Posture:

• Prolonged sitting, frequent standing and twisting, occasional kneeling/squatting, bending, stooping, pushing and pulling

Motion:

• Prolonged driving
• Moderate walking
• Frequent climbing of stairs
• Grasping/squeezing, wrist and shoulder flexion/extension, and reaching

Mental Demands:

• Ability to read
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress
• Ability to understand oral and written instructions

Physical Demands:

• Frequent reaching overhead and horizontally to reach and place materials/equipment in certain areas
• Frequent bending
• Frequent stooping
• Frequent heavy lifting up to 50 pounds to waist height
• Frequent kneeling
• Frequent crawling under vehicles
• Frequent use of powered machinery and tools
• Ability to secure wheelchairs as needed

Sensory Requirements:

• Significant hearing
• Clarity of vision at varying distances to observe diagnostic instruments, manuals, and other printed information
• Verbal, auditory and written capabilities to effectively communicate in an articulate manner
• Peripheral vision
• Color discrimination
• Depth perception

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned, alternative methods of performing your duties, or skills that may be required.