School Bus Driver (10 Months/YR)

Salary: $31.15 - $37.99 Hourly
Location : Transportation Department, 1314 7th Street, Berkeley, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2026-4-30_ov
Department: Transportation
Opening Date: 04/30/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


Basic Function and Representative Duties

BASIC FUNCTION:
Under general supervision, drive a school bus to transport students safely and efficiently to an assigned location on a designated route; perform daily pre-trip safety inspections and assist in general cleaning of school buses
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Drive a school bus on designated routes; pick up and discharge students in accordance with time schedules; observe legal and defensive driving practices; assure compliance with applicable traffic and student transportation laws, codes and regulations; assure only registered students board and exit at assigned bus stops unless otherwise approved by school district or parents
• Maintain order and discipline among passengers on the bus and while waiting at bus stops in accordance with policies related to disciplining students; communicate effectively with school staff and parents regarding student behavior as needed; prepare behavior/conduct reports to document incidents and negative behaviors of students
• Perform required daily safety inspections of buses inspect the interior and exterior of buses according to California Highway Patrol pre-trip regulations to assure safe operational condition; report mechanical malfunctions or other problems as required
• Determine appropriate action in emergency situations according to established guidelines; administer first aid to passengers as needed
• Maintain bus in a clean and safe operating condition which includes sweeping passenger areas; cleaning windshields, mirrors, dashboard, and driver compartment
• Transport students, and designated adults on school routes or school related activity trips; adhere to scheduled departure and arrival times as assigned; prepare related logs and reports

Maintain records of vehicle condition, incidents/accidents, route times and mileage; conduct student counts and prepare related records

• Assist students as needed in boarding, buckling, and loading, securing and unloading students in wheelchairs as assigned; operate a wheelchair lift as assigned
• Utilize two-way radios for bus to bus and bus to base communications
• Communicate with Transportation Operations Staff and Maintenance Shop on a daily basis regarding safety concerns, safety of school bus stops and the mechanical condition of the buses
• Be available to respond to emergency or natural disaster situations when there is an urgent need to transport students, designated adults, victims, or others as needed

OTHER DUTIES:
Perform related duties as assigned

Knowledge and Abilities

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Provisions of the California Motor Vehicle Code, California Highway Patrol Regulations, and Education Code applicable to the operation of vehicles in the transportation of students
California Vehicle Code and local traffic ordinances
District policies and practices regarding pupil transportation
Safe and defensive driving practices
Proper operations of school buses
Applicable traffic and student transportation laws, codes and regulations
Basic first aid procedures
Basic record-keeping techniques
Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy
Health and safety regulations
Oral and written communication skills as related to the position
ABILITY TO:
Drive a school bus safely and efficiently
Communicate about mechanical issues and defects verbally and in writing
Perform daily pre-trip safety inspections; and assist in general cleaning of school buses.
Learn and apply District policies and procedures related to student discipline on buses
Maintain a safe level of discipline among passengers
Observe legal and defensive driving practices
Learn and follow designated routes
Learn the functionality and tolerance of the dual air braking system
Learn the proper use of the electronically controlled transmissions installed in the fleet
Maintain bus in a clean and orderly condition
Administer first aid
Maintain routine records as related to the position
Understand and follow oral and written directions
Communicate effectively with others
Adhere to schedules and assigned time lines, except under extenuating circumstances
Operate a two-way radio
Maintain a clean driving record
Maintain the safety and security of assigned students and all passengers

Education, Experience and Other Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Any combination equivalent to: graduation from high school and sufficient training and experience to demonstrate the knowledge and abilities listed above

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Valid and current California Class A or B Commercial Driver License with appropriate passenger, school bus air brake endorsements.
Valid California Special Driver Certificate issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for school bus drivers. Certificate must be free of restrictions, except those related to automatic transmissions
Valid Medical Examiner's Certificate
Valid First Aid and CPR Certificate (as required) issued by an authorized agency
Department of Justice fingerprint clearance through the California Highway Patrol
Good DMV driving record and ability to maintain insurability under the District's vehicle insurance policy
Incumbents in this classification are subject to federal drug and alcohol testing requirements

Working Conditions and Additional Information

WORKING CONDITIONS:
ENVIRONMENT:
School bus and outdoor environment
Seasonal heat and cold or adverse weather conditions
Evening or variable hours
Exposure to fumes, dust, odors, oil/grease and gases
Driving a vehicle to conduct work
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Sitting for extended periods of time while operating buses
Hearing and speaking to exchange information
Reaching, pulling and pushing to open bus doors
Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching to inspect buses
Seeing to monitor passengers and operate a vehicle
Perform work which involves the frequent lifting, pushing and/or pulling of objects weighing up to 50 pounds, and occasionally and with assistance up to 100 pounds
Pushing or pulling wheelchairs
Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate school bus control panel
HAZARDS:
Traffic hazards
Exposure to seasonal heat and cold or adverse weather conditions
Exposure to fumes, dust, odors, oil/grease and gases
Exposure to blood borne pathogens and infectious diseases
Abusive, irate or violent students, parents or general public

EXAMINATION INFORMATION:
The first step in the examination process is the application screening and whether or not the candidate meets the minimum qualifications listed.
The testing process may consist of a written exam; an oral exam; a performance exam; a structured interview (SI); a qualification appraisal interview (QAI); an evaluation of training & experience/education (T&E) and/or any combination thereof.
ONLY the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) test requires and is mandated to have a passing score of 70 on each of the three parts of the test.
All other tests will have a passing score set between 50 and 99 depending of a variety of factors affecting that specific recruitment.
All candidates must pass the first examination process to be invited to the next step/test in the process.
As the testing process consists of a minimum of two examination processes; the weight of each those processes may be determined at any step in the processes.
Qualified candidates will be notified of the date, time, and place of the examination(s)/test(s).
Candidates will be notified of the minimum pass points/test score for each examination and/or test in the examination process.

OTHER: Proof of identification for completion of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, must be submitted at the time of processing for employment.

SALARIES: All salaries as stated are based on present information and are subject to change. Appointments are made at the minimum salary shown in the posting and increases are granted at intervals based on anniversary date.

Notification of Non-Discrimination Policy
The Berkeley Unified School District is committed to fostering a positive working environment for its employees. Accordingly, BUSD practices shall be free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying of any employee based on an employee's actual race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression; the perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

The Board also prohibits retaliation against any district employee or job applicant who complains, testi?es or in any way participates in the district's complaint procedures instituted pursuant to this policy.

The following employee has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination regarding Board Policy 4030:

Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator
2020 Bonar Street, Room 116
Berkeley, CA 94702
Phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io
Email: View email address on click.appcast.io
SALARIES: All salaries as stated are based on present information and are subject to change. Appointments are made at the minimum salary shown and increases are granted at intervals based on satisfactory service.

BENEFITS (FOR PERMANENT EMPLOYEES): Health plans provide for full coverage for employees and family in the area of medical and dental insurance to a negotiated maximum. All employees who work an average regular assignment of less than 5-1/2 hours a day (.72 FTE or less) shall be entitled to health insurance coverage and dental insurance coverage on a pro-rated basis. This position is covered by Social Security and may be eligible for California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), with joint employee and employer paid contributions. Current members of CalPERS working in other California state, county, city, and school districts can transfer retirement service credit to the District. All employees are enrolled in an Employee Assistant Program (EAP). The District also offers various optional benefits including life insurance, short term disability, Vision Service Plan (VSP), and a medical and dependent care flexible spending option.

VACATION: Regular, non-management, District employees shall accrue vacation as follows:
1-3 Years: Ten (10) working days per year until he/she has completed four (4) years of service.
4-9 Years: Fifteen (15) working days per year until he/she has completed ten (10) years of service.
10-14 Years: Twenty (20) working days per year until he/she has completed fifteen (15) years of service.
15+ Years: Twenty-five (25) working days per year.
Regular twelve (12) month employees shall accrue two (2) additional days of vacation per year at each step indicated above.

HOLIDAYS: Annual employees receive seventeen (17) paid holidays per year:
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans' Day
Thanksgiving Holiday (3 Days)
Winter Board Holiday (3 Days)
New Year's Holiday (2 Days)
Martin Luther King's Birthday
Lincoln's Birthday
Washington's Birthday
Spring Board Holiday
Malcolm X's Birthday
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
School Year employees may receive sixteen (17) paid holidays, including all of the above except Independence Day (4th of July).


PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Classified employees may also participate in professional development activities to enhance their careers.
HEALTH AND CHARACTER INVESTIGATIONS:

Candidates selected for appointment may be required to pass a medical examination given by a Commission-designated physician to determine physical fitness for District employment. The Commission may disqualify any eligible candidates on the basis of the examining physician's report. The District also conducts a fingerprinting background check for all potential candidates for hire. All convictions must be declared and explained on the application; failure to do so will automatically disqualify the application. Tuberculosis tests must be completed and a negative result must be supplied prior to beginning work.
01


Do you possess a current California Class A or B Commercial Driver License with appropriate passenger, school bus and air brake endorsements? (Documentation must be attached)

• Yes
• No

02


Valid California Special Driver Certificate issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for school bus drivers. Certificate must be free of restrictions, except those related to automatic transmissions. (Documentation must be attached)

• Yes
• No

03


Do you have a current American Red Cross Standard Red Cross First Aid and CPR Certificates? (Documentation must be attached)

• Yes
• No

04


Do you possess a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate? (Documentation must be attached)

• Yes
• No

Required Question