Bus Driver

School Bus Driver

Position is responsible for operating a school bus and transporting school-aged children and other authorized personnel safely and efficiently over specified routes to and from schools and various activities. Position conducts pre-trip inspections; observes safety regulations and policies; enforces student discipline on the bus; and performs related work. Reports to the Transportation Supervisor.

Essential Job Functions:

• Checks with the dispatcher or transportation supervisor for any changes in normal duties or new student passengers.
• Ensures that the bus can be operated safely before driving and conducts pre-trip safety inspections as required by federal and state laws.
• Operates a bus safely over an assigned route, picking up and delivering only authorized students at assigned bus stops.
• Keeps assigned time schedules, which may require driving during pre-daylight and dusk periods.
• Obeys all traffic laws and transportation practices as outlined in the Commercial Drivers License Manual, South Carolina School Bus Driver Handbook, Transportation Department Handbook, school board policy and local ordinances.
• Observes all safety regulations for school buses and keeps all emergency exits clear of obstructions.
• Safely and properly secures wheelchairs, car seats, and other specialized equipment on the bus as needed.
• Maintains student discipline on the bus and enforces rules governing student conduct.
• Accurately maintains and provides written reports to transportation/school staff as needed/upon request on bus route description, road hazards, bus incidents, student seating chart, mileage and time sheets.
• Conducts bi-annual bus evacuation drills as required by the State Department of Education and implements evacuations as required in an emergency.
• Reports all accidents immediately, requesting police or ambulance service as needed; assists injured persons until services arrive; and completes required accident reports.
• Notifies the proper authority in cases of mechanical failure, safety deficiencies, when off schedule, or other incidents.
• Regulates heating, cooling, and ventilating equipment provided on the bus for the comfort of passengers.
• Drives students and teachers on field trips, extracurricular activities, and other special events, often in evenings and at night, as assigned.
• Exercises responsible leadership and appropriate behavior when on authorized trips.
• Returns the bus to the assigned bus lot, performs a final inspection, and secures the bus according to procedures.
• Participates in all required training.
• Submits to drug and alcohol testing as required by law.
• Maintains a Commercial Driver's License, Department of Transportation Physical Certification and South Carolina School Bus Driver Certificate as required by law.
• Models nondiscriminatory practices in all activities.
• Keeps the assigned bus clean.
• Maintains an assigned seating chart.
• Reports all safety violations to include co-workers/personnel suspected of drinking alcohol or under the influence of drugs (to include over-the-counter drugs) while working.
• Performs any other related duties as required.

Qualifications:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must have the ability to read, write and speak English in a clear, concise manner.
• Have no more than four (4) current points against his or her motor vehicle record (MVR) at the Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Have had no more than four (4) points against his or her driver's license in the previous twelve months.
• Have not had his or her driver's license suspended for a moving violation within the previous twelve (12) months.
• Have at least twelve (12) months of driving experience.
• Submit to and pass employment, safety, motor vehicle record (MVR), criminal background and sexual offender background checks.
• Submit to and pass pre-employment drug and alcohol testing.
• Must possess or can obtain a valid US Department of Transportation (DOT) medical certificate prior to employment.
• Must possess or can obtain prior to employment a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) equivalent to a Class B with passenger "P" endorsement, school bus "S" endorsement, with no air brake restriction.
• Must possess or can obtain prior to employment a valid South Carolina School Bus Driver Certificate.
• Must possess a good knowledge of procedures and federal/state laws governing the safe operation of a school bus prior to employment.
• Must possess knowledge of, or the ability to accurately and quickly learn, local street and road systems.
• Must possess knowledge of, or the ability to accurately and quickly learn, how to properly secure a wheelchair, car seat, and other specialized equipment on a school bus.
• Must possess the ability to maintain student discipline and ensure that student behavior is not a distraction to safe driving.
• Must possess the ability to recognize and report any unsafe act or condition.
• Must remain in compliance federal/local regulations regarding the use of controlled substances and alcohol as applied to school bus drivers.
• Must be capable of working independently and possess the ability to understand and follow through on oral and written instructions.
• Must possess the ability to interact with students, parents, school faculty, and district staff in a positive and proper manner.

Physical Demands:

• Be able to meet physical performance standards as outlined by the State Department of Education for school bus drivers.
• Must possess the ability to go up and down the 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 rapidly activate the manual service door release valve, push open the service door and exit the bus, starting from a seat belted position within 15 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.
• A 125 pound object must be dragged 30 feet in 30 seconds.
• Use strength to lift items needed to perform the functions of the job.
• Sit, stand and walk for required periods of time.
• Speak and hear.
• Use close vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception along with the ability to focus vision.
• Communicate effectively in English, using proper grammar and vocabulary.
• Reach with hands and arms and use hands and fingers to handle objects and operate tools, technology equipment, computers, and/or controls.

Work Place Expectations:

• Work effectively with and respond to diverse cultures or backgrounds.
• Demonstrate professionalism and appropriate judgment in behavior, speech, and dress in a neat, clean and professional manner for the assignment and work setting.
• Have regular and punctual attendance.
• Follow all District policies, work procedures, and reasonable requests by the proper authorities.

Disclaimer: 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. The Colleton County School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.