BUS DRIVER

Job Title

This position transports children to and from school as well as on field trips in a Class C, passenger bus. The position is responsible for assisting with planning bus routes, performing bus maintenance, and providing a Head Start-focused mobile learning environment that is safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate for preschool children. This position may also be assigned to ride the bus as a monitor.

Job Duties

• Transports children between their homes and school in a safe and timely manner following a pre-determined route.
• Transports children to field trips and assists in the supervision of children during the scheduled activity.
• Assists children with boots, jackets, and accessories; helps children with seating and guides children to and from the classrooms.
• Ensures safety and maintenance inspections of assigned school bus are complete and timely.
• Performs daily pre/post trip inspections of all buses.
• Ensures bus is serviced as necessary and that the bus is always fueled sufficiently.
• Provides bus monitor training and bus evacuation training and drills as needed and as required.
• Provides a bus orientation to each family prior to beginning services, reviewing FNA Head Start 0-5 transportation policies and procedures.
• Communicates positively and professionally with children and families, staff, and the public and takes action to resolve conflict when necessary.
• Provides orientation for new bus riders.
• Cleans bus inside and out, to include cleaning windows, sweeping the floor, wiping down and sanitizing bus seats.
• Maintains the bus storage area/garage.
• Keeps accurate and timely records on travel, mileage, and bus maintenance.
• Assists in developing bus routes, scheduling changes, additions, and cancellations to bus routes and maintains updates to the schedule, as assigned. Always communicates changes to manager.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations, including Head Start Performance Standards, Childcare Licensing requirements.
• The incumbent of this position must work well under pressure and be able to meet multiple and conflicting deadlines. The incumbent shall always demonstrate cooperative behavior with colleagues, supervisors, and clients.
• Assists with providing an environment that respects the gender, culture, ethnicity, family composition and special emotional, cognitive, and developmental needs of the individual child.
• Collaborates with teaching staff and bus monitor to understand and implement activities that extend classroom learning onto the bus and bring bus safety learning into the bus as a portable classroom.
• Attends staff meetings, family staffing, and other scheduled meetings and required trainings.
• Adheres to all State licensing regulations.
• Acts as a positive role model for children, especially about respecting the feelings and rights of others.
• Follows program procedures for reporting child abuse and neglect.
• Maintain confidentiality of family records and information.
• May provide lunch or bio break coverage in classrooms or complete other assigned duties during non-bus driving hours.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Ability

• Ability to drive a bus.
• Friendly and respectful demeanor with skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative and respectful working relationships with children, parents, supervisors, and other employees.
• Strong customer service skills and the ability to effectively present instruction, and/or information to students, staff, parents, administrators, and public.
• Knowledge of local community and transportation routes to transport children between their homes and school in a safe and timely manner.
• Ability to keep buses current with safety and maintenance inspections used for school buses.
• Familiar with forms and documentation used for daily pre/post trip inspections of all buses.
• Awareness of common sanitation and basic maintenance for school buses in the State of Alaska.
• Organization skills to maintain accurate documentation and maintain bus storage area/garage.
• Ability to report to work in a timely manner.
• Skill in operating personal computer utilizing a variety of computer software.
• Understanding and sensitivity to diverse cultures and lifestyles, and ability to work effectively with Alaska Native populations.
• Skill in managing multiple priorities and tasks concurrently and meet deadlines.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Ability to work independently as well as with teams.

Minimum Qualifications (Education & Experience)

• Must have a valid Alaska Commercial Driver's License (CDL), Class C with school bus endorsement.
• Must have and maintain biannual medical examination certificate.
• Eligible for FNA auto insurance coverage, as demonstrated by a valid Alaska Driver License, and a current driving record.
• Minimum six (6) months bus driving experience, must participate annually in an 8 hour in-services training to maintain and enhance driver skills.
• Complete Infant/Toddler CPR and First Aid training within thirty days of hire.
• Strong understanding and sensitivity to diverse cultures and lifestyles, with demonstrated experience working effectively with Alaska Native populations.

Preferred Qualifications (Education & Experience)

Experience with Head Start or Early childhood programs preferred.

Two (2) years bus driving experience with children with a valid Alaska Driver's License (CDL) with school bus endorsement.