Lead Bus Driver

Reports To: Driver Personnel Manager

Duty Days: 178 days + additional days as required

Wage/Hour Status: Non-Exempt

Pay Grade: A06

Date Revised 5/2026

Qualifications:

College hours, high school diploma or GED


Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with appropriate endorsements


Acceptable driving record as defined by Katy ISD


Two or more years of successful bus driving experience


Pass annual physical in accordance with state law


Able to communicate in English (written and oral)


Able to read and interpret maps and routes


School Bus Driver Certification or able to obtain with six months of hire date


Negative result on drug and/or alcohol tests administered as pre-employment, random, post-accident and/or reasonable suspicion basis, in accordance with federal law and district policy


Able to climb in and out of all school bus emergency exits

Primary Purpose:

Safely drive students to and from school on a schedule assigned by the Transportation Department. Safely transport students and staff to and from district sanctioned activities. Always act in the best interest of the district, the students and the community. Be a role model for other transportation employees. Be a mentor for other school bus drivers following the guidelines in the KISD and Transportation employees' handbooks.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Instruct trainees and drivers as to the mechanics of bus driving, map reading, student control, etc.
2. Perform pre-trip and post trip operations in accordance with Katy ISD procedures.
3. Provide written/oral reports to administrators and school staff.
4. Read and understand maps/drawings and written directions.
5. Operate any and all vehicles on all routes with little or no notice becoming familiar with all areas of the district.
6. Communicate with school staff, parents and transportations staff to resolve student issues in a positive, impartial manner.
7. Perform and document preliminary investigations on stop requests and/or driver misconduct.
8. Perform bi-yearly behind the wheel observations of drivers and attendants.
9. Assist routing with driver/dispatch map preparations prior to official school start.
10. Assist in annual driver in-services prior to official school start. Be on hand to assist new drivers learning their routes.
11. Assist in annual coach/teacher driver in-services and behind the wheel observations.
12. Perform bimonthly safety training with drivers (based on annual assignment) to continually update them on new methods and share school topics.
13. Counsels with employees in a "first approach" of accident prevention, student or employee injury.
14. Promotes good public relations with students, parents and faculty of assigned schools.
15. Provides leadership and motivation to drivers and attendants regarding concerns as they arise.
16. Promote teamwork through skilled direction of personnel encouraging individual successful performance.
17. Operate any Katy ISD school bus and related equipment in a safe and efficient manner while following all traffic laws, district policies, district regulations and Transportation Department regulations.
18. Conduct performance evaluations for bus driver staff, provide timely coaching and documentation, and address personnel matters in accordance with organizational policies, safety standards, and employment regulations.
19. Other duties as assigned.

Equipment Used:

School buses, emergency equipment (triangle reflectors, fire extinguisher, bodily fluids kit, etc.)


Computer, general office equipment, phones, audio/visual equipment, bus camera systems, two way radio

Working Conditions:

Maintain emotional control under stress. Continual sitting, reaching, and repetitive hand and arm motions. Work outside and inside; moderate exposure to extreme temperatures (hot & cold) and vehicle fumes. Prolonged driving and sitting. Frequent walking, standing, twisting, climbing stairs, stooping, bending, grasping/squeezing, wrist and shoulder flexion/extension. Occasional prolonged hours.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.