Bus Aide

School Bus Aide

This position assists the school bus driver in providing safe transportation of pupils with special transportation needs to and from public schools and various activities; loads/secures wheelchairs on the bus; secures passengers in their seats; and assists students boarding and exiting the school bus.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists young and/or disabled students in boarding and/or exiting the school bus. The bus aide to greet the student at the bottom of the bus stairs and assist (as required) the student in boarding; during delivery the bus aide will precede the student to ensure they get down the bus stairs safely.
• Ensures each student is transported in the proper manner (regular seat w/without seat belt, car seat, safety vest, wheelchair, etc.). As necessary, lifts/carries students onto or off the school bus. As necessary, lifts students into or out of their seats.
• Assists in maintaining discipline and enforcing rules and regulations pertaining to student behavior.
• Tends to the special needs and conditions of each student.
• Assists bus drivers and substitute drivers with directions.
• Learns bus routes, schedules and pickup points.
• Keeps abreast of route and bus stop changes and student day care arrangements.
• Assists driver in conducting scheduled emergency evacuation drills on the school bus.
• Assists the bus driver in maintaining a clean bus s. This can include but is not limited to sweeping, picking up articles, and cleaning windows and seats.
• Promptly reports incidents to the bus driver and the school staff. Returns any personal items left on the bus to the school or the child's family.
• Presents a neat, clean, and courteous appearance to parents, students, school personnel and the general public.
• Must have own means of transportation to travel and meet the assigned bus/driver.
• Models the WJCC Strategic Plan Values: Individualism, Integrity, Innovation, Accountability and Collaboration.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities Required)

• High school diploma or GED preferred
• Possession of a valid driver's operators' license.
• Related experience in school transportation preferred. Prior experience with children and/or children with special needs preferred.
• Successfully complete an "Annual Physical" conducted by a school division appointed medical provider.
• General knowledge of the transportation of students. Ability to operate the wheel chair lift. Ability to secure wheelchairs. Ability to move about a moving bus to ensure the safety of the children. Must attend scheduled meetings.
• Excellent communication skills necessary to positively interact with the students, parents, and staff members. Must be able to handle frequent interruptions and deadlines to include changes in schedules due to special students activities to include early dismissal, etc. Ability to establish and maintain a harmonious working relationship with young and disabled pupils and their families with patience and understanding.

Supervision Exercised

None.

Supervision Received

Performs duties under the general supervision of the Director of Transportation who provides an annual performance evaluation. Instructions and assignments are provided through the Coordinator of Transportation, Assistant Coordinator of Transportation and Coordinator of Safety, Training and Recruitment.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Ability to sit for long periods of time. Ability to lift, reach, climb, carry, crawl, push, pull, bend, and stoop. Ability to move about the bus and area around the bus (while stationary and occasionally while in motion). Ability to lift and move (drag) up to 50 pounds unassisted. Must be alert at all times and able to respond to emergencies. Must be able to operate the special equipment on the school bus (wheelchair lift, wheelchair tie downs, car seat, etc.). Requires early morning hours and some late evening hours. Optional: Successfully completes all First Aid and CPR requirements in a timely manner. There is a no cell phone use policy while working on a school division owned vehicle and/or while caring for or supervising students.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The incumbent will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the principal or appropriate administrator. WJCC Public Schools reserves the right to update, revise or change this job description and related duties at any time.