Bus Driver

Bus Driver

Safely operates a school bus in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations to transport students to and from school facilities/activities. Is responsible for maintaining discipline of students being transported. Reports to Director of Transportation.

Operates a bus over a route that has been designated and approved by the District and the State Department of Education. Drives in a safe manner in accordance with all applicable transportation laws, to include laws applying to railroad crossings.

Operates equipment in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Performs pre-trip inspection, during operation inspection, observing bus gauges and ensuring all are in normal operating range, and performing post trip inspections of assigned vehicle. Checks every seat when the bus has completed its route to ensure that all children are off the bus.

Maintains proper discipline among students being transported. Reports misconduct to the principal and/or administrators and supervisor for appropriate disciplinary action using designated forms.

Uses various cleaning agents in maintaining a clean appearance of equipment, and reports any vandalism or equipment failures to the supervisor immediately.

Completes accurately and submits required Route Description for assigned route(s) by the designated date. Provides written reports of road hazards on assigned routes.

Assigns students to seats and maintains an up-to-date status of students to the transportation office. Coordinates special needs of students with parents, aides, teachers and school administrators.

Attends safety meetings. Operates a two-way radio to maintain communications with schools and the main transportation office.

Maintains a current, valid commercial driver's license and other operator certification, including a physical examination card, as required. Participates in random drug and alcohol testing as required by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and District policy. Maintains an acceptable driving record.

Exhibits acceptable employee conduct and presents a positive image of the District. Complies with the District's Board policies and designated procedures at all times. Observes the rights of children and families by maintaining confidentiality. Relates to all children, parents, and staff with friendliness and courtesy.

Transports only authorized personnel and discharges students only at authorized stops on both regular routes and field trips.

Willingly performs other duties as assigned or requested.

Knowledge

Thorough knowledge of all state and federal laws and regulations, and safety procedures pertaining to the operation of a school bus. Knowledge of certification and licenses required for bus operation. Understands the limitations and hazards involved in operating assigned equipment. Knowledge of the requirements for maintaining the appearance of equipment. Knowledge of the proper forms and procedures to be completed for reporting student misbehavior, equipment failure, daily activity, mileage and time records. Knows the proper procedures for emergency situations.

Knowledge of assigned bus route and the location of schools and other landmarks.

Skills/Effort

Ability to deliver students to their designated location in a safe, disciplined, orderly manner. Ability to supervise students and maintain order while students are on the bus. Ability to prepare required reports, route descriptions, etc.

Ability to communicate effectively with parents, students, and staff. Ability to follow all rules and regulations.

Additional Physical, Cognitive, and Other Requirements

Job responsibilities involve the operation of light and heavy school buses with duties that include sitting, standing, walking, reaching with hands and arms, climbing bus steps, balancing, stooping, kneeling, and crouching. Specific vision abilities include close, distance, color, peripheral, depth and the ability to focus. Sensory abilities require the skill to respond and/or prevent children from endangering themselves or others and to react in the event of emergency situations. Must be able to talk, read and hear, and effectively perceive and exchange information in a variety of oral, written and/or printed formats. Duties require basic mathematical skills including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Must take direction, and comply with all applicable laws, policies and procedures, and interact well with others, including students and parents. Must display emotional control and be adaptable to stressors, tight deadlines, frequent changes, etc. Must meet medical, drug testing, and physical performance standards as outlined by the State Department of Education and the Department of Transportation for school bus drivers. Those standards include the following:

• Must possess the ability to go up and down school bus steps rapidly (3 times within 30 seconds).
• Must be able to alternate quickly between the throttle and the service brake (10 times in 10 seconds).
• Must be able to depress fully and maintain constant, unassisted pressure on the brake pedal for at least 60 seconds.
• Must be able to open and close a manually operated bus service door repeatedly and rapidly (3 times in 20 seconds).
• Must be able to move rapidly through the interior of the bus and exit from the rearmost floor-level emergency door, starting from a seat-belted position (within 20 seconds).
• Must be able to drag individuals rapidly in a bus emergency (125 pound object must be dragged 30 feet in 30 seconds).

Working Conditions

Work is conducted primarily on a school bus where one is required to drive in varying weather conditions which means exposure to conditions such as heat, cold, rain, humidity, etc., and at times to drive on poor road conditions.

Physical demands are related to the operation of a school bus wherein one is required to drive, operate handbrake and other controls, maintain cleanliness of equipment, and monitor the activities of passengers. Routine local travel is required to transport students to and from school and other approved facilities; some overnight travel may be required.

Responsibility

Supervise any assigned Bus Assistants.

Disclaimer Statement

This job description is not intended as a complete listing of job duties. The incumbent is responsible for the performance of other related duties as assigned/required. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

EEO Statement

Florence School District Two is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, handicap or disability, or any other protected characteristic in admission to, access to, treatment in or employment in its programs and activities.