Lead Bus Driver

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools seeks a lead bus driver supervisor who coordinates assigned bus drivers and ensures safe, on‑time transportation for students. The role includes communicating critical information, guiding route operations, and stepping in to drive when necessary.

You will monitor routes and TIMS, supervise pre/post inspections, support safety and training meetings, and respond to transportation concerns from administrators and parents.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to all state, federal, and local laws, policies, and procedures
• Communicate with assigned bus drivers regarding department information, daily instruction, and feedback
• Respond to transportation-related concerns from admins and parents
• Distribute reports to school administration as appropriate
• Assist with notification of substitute drivers
• Monitor AM and PM bus runs to ensure buses are occupied and drivers report on time
• Know routes of assigned drivers and ensure proper paperwork is available
• Assist in developing runs and ensuring TIMS data accuracy for service to students
• Routinely ride with drivers as a check for route operation and safety
• Monitor and evaluate drivers' pre- and post-trip inspections and bus cleanliness
• Report unsafe conditions or mechanical problems to managers or maintenance
• Assist in resolving transportation service requests
• Provide guidance and problem resolution for customers
• Support training and safety meetings to enhance drivers' development and customer service
• Distribute and review information to assigned bus drivers
• Conduct road training with drivers before permanent assignments
• Deliver buses to maintenance areas as needed
• Drive routes in absence of a driver, including field trips
• Perform related work as assigned

Job description

General Definition of Work

The lead bus driver, under general supervision, performs support work with minimal decision‑making discretion in the coordination and guidance of assigned bus drivers and school buses. Position is responsible for communicating with assigned bus drivers including relaying critical information. Position is also responsible for driving a school bus (as needed) to provide safe, efficient, and on‑time transportation for students to and from assigned schools on a daily basis. Employee performs district‑level work to carry out Board of Education policies under the direction of the Manager, Area Transportation.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Salary/Status

Hourly NC 10/Full-time, 9 months

Reports To

Area Transportation Manager

Place of Work

The normal place of work is on the premises used by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Charlotte- Mecklenburg Schools reserves the right to require you to work at such other place(s) as it may reasonably require from time to time.

Essential Functions

• Adhere to all state, federal, and local laws, policies, and procedures
• Communicate with assigned bus drivers regarding department information, daily instruction, and verbal performance feedback
• Respond to transportation‑related concerns with school administration and parents
• Distribute reports to school administration as appropriate
• Assist the transportation operations technician (OT) and quality support technician (QST) as requested
• Assist with the notification of substitute drivers
• Monitor AM and PM bus runs to ensure that each assigned bus is occupied, notifying appropriate personnel if a driver does not report to work on time or at all
• Know the routes of the assigned drivers and ensure that each bus has appropriate paperwork at all times
• Assist in the development of runs for assigned buses to ensure proper sequencing of stops, run directions, and compliance with the transportation information management system (TIMS) to provide appropriate service to students
• Routinely ride with assigned drivers as check for route operation and suitability
• Monitor and evaluate assigned drivers' pre- and post-trip inspections, bus cleanings, and parking
• Report unsafe conditions or mechanical problems with buses to the area manager and/or garage maintenance staff
• Assist in the investigation and resolution of transportation service request forms
• Provide guidance and problem resolution for customers who have contacted the area transportation office
• Assist the area manager in developing and presenting training, safety meetings, and related operational instruction to enhance the assigned drivers' professional development and customer service skills
• Distribute and review any written or verbal information and instructions to the assigned bus drivers
• Conduct follow‑up road training with drivers prior to a permanent bus assignment
• Deliver buses to the maintenance areas as needed
• Drive any route necessary in the absence of a permanent or substitute driver, including for field trips or other extracurricular trips
• Perform related work as assigned or required