Bus Driver

Bus Driver

Under general supervision, drives a school bus to safely transport assigned public school students to and from school in a timely manner.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Drives school buses to safely transport assigned public school students to and from school and field trip destinations in a timely manner, following all applicable laws, policies and regulations.
• Conducts safety inspections of the bus before starting the engine.
• Ensures safety of children by securing wheelchairs, enforcing bus rules, etc.
• Makes student seat assignments and maintains student manifest; assists with determining bus routes and completing maps.
• Completes and submits daily mileage and student attendance records.
• Reports to the county or school office of late arrival of a bus.
• Maintains order, control, and plans for emergency situations or evacuations.
• Maintains the cleanliness of assigned bus and submits maintenance requests as needed.
• May perform clerical duties such as answering the phone, filing, sending faxes, making appointments for physicals, informing activity of buses to the highway department, assign routes and drivers, hand out keys and log books.
• May train other bus drivers, provide orientation sessions, prepare and submit training verification reports, and issue permits.
• May monitor finances including but not limited to billing, submitting bill records to schools and the finance department.
• Monitors student behavior and completes and submits disciplinary forms as appropriate. Follows through with telephone calls, parent conferences, police reports and court appearances as necessary.
• Interacts and communicates with the immediate supervisor and department staff, District staff, students, parents, etc.
• Additional duties: Performs related duties as required.

Essential Functions:

Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate a school bus. Must be able to exert up to ten pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting and driving most of the time. Must be able to lift and/or carry weights of up to fifty pounds.

Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communications: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving directions to students and receiving assignments and/or directions from the supervisor.

Language Ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of policy and procedures manuals, maps, driver handbooks, regulations, etc. Requires the ability to prepare various logs and reports accurately. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with clarity, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagrammatic form, and to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in or from standardized situations. Requires the ability to make routine independent judgments in absence of supervision and to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. Must have the ability to comprehend and interpret received information.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow verbal and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with persons of varying educational backgrounds.

Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to add and subtract totals, to multiply and divide, and to determine time.

Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape, and visually read various information.

Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in operating motor vehicles.

Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, control knobs, buttons, switches, catches, etc. Must have moderate levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing in uncomfortable physical conditions and under stress when confronted with emergency situations or tight deadlines.

Physical Communications: Requires the ability to talk and/or hear (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

Training and Education:

Requires a high school diploma supplemented by a good driving record and required training, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Must possess valid state class "B" CDL driver's license with appropriate endorsements; may require specialized training for transporting handicapped passengers.

Performance Evaluation Criteria:

Job Knowledge: Has thorough knowledge of the methods, procedures and policies of the Transportation Department as they pertain to the performance of duties of the Bus Driver. Is knowledgeable in the laws, ordinances, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Has knowledge of the organization of the department and of related departments and agencies. Has knowledge of the functions and interrelationships of Florence 1 Schools. Has the ability to offer assistance to co-workers and employees of other departments as required. Has the ability to use independent judgment as needed in performing routine tasks. Is able to take the initiative to complete the duties of the position without the need of direct supervision. Is able to read and interpret maps, policy manuals, and related materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job. Knows how to prepare various reports, lists, etc. Has knowledge of the terminology used within the department. Knows how to maintain effective relationships with personnel of other departments, students, co-workers and members of the public through contact and cooperation. Is able to drive with skill and care, despite noise and other distractions. Knows how to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations. Has the mathematical ability to handle required calculations. Has the ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency. Has knowledge of the standard tools, materials and practices of the trade. Has skills in the care and use of required tools and equipment. Has knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the trade.

Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interaction with all District departments and divisions, co-workers and the public.

Quantity of Work: Performs described "Specific Duties and Responsibilities" and related assignments efficiently and effectively in order to produce a quantity of work which consistently meets standards and expectations of the District.

Dependability: Assumes responsibility for completing assigned work. Completes assigned work within deadlines in accordance with directives, District policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Remains accountable to assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance: Attends and remains at work regularly and adheres to District policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.

Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountability. Strives to anticipate work to be done, and initiates proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment: Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur, and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice where appropriate and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Monitors the activities/behavior of the student body to ensure student safety and well-being.

Cooperation: Accepts supervisory instruction and direction, and strives to meet the goals and objectives of the same. Questions such as instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified (i.e., poor communications, variance with District policy or procedures, etc.). Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons and departments within the District.

Relationships: Shares knowledge with managers, supervisors and staff for mutual and district benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all District employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staff and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, and the public so as to maintain good will toward the District and to project a good district image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the District. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the District. Interacts effectively with higher management, professionals and the public.

Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends required meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance