School Bus Aide (20-29 hour)

School Bus Aide

The School Bus Aide performs responsible support work in assisting Transit Operators within the Pupil Transportation Division to transport students to and from school and special events. Monitors student behavior and assists in ensuring a safe and orderly environment during transit. The work is primarily and most frequently performed under the immediate supervision of a Transit Operator. Reports to a Transit Operations Supervisor. Starting pay is $20.50 an hour. This is a part-time 20-29 hour per week, non-exempt, position and is eligible for pro-rated benefits. The city provides excellent benefits including paid holidays, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, City's retirement options, gym membership reimbursement, and continuing education/training opportunities.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Assists students boarding and leaving the school bus to prevent congestion and unsafe conditions.
• Assists in creating and maintaining a safe environment during transit by monitoring student behavior, seatbelt usage, addressing potential safety concerns, and reporting incidents promptly to the transit operator or supervisor.
• Works collaboratively with the transit operator to ensure smooth and safe transport, including responding to emergency situations, unusual delays, or route changes.
• Performs pre-trip and post-trip inspections to ensure the vehicle and safety equipment are in proper working order; promptly reports any defects or concerns.
• Establishes rapport with students to maintain order and compliance on the bus.
• Communicates effectively with transit operators, supervisors, students, parents, and faculty to ensure a safe and orderly environment.
• Supports students with special transportation needs, including secure handling of mobility equipment (i.e., wheelchairs, braces, crutches, etc.), assisting students with boarding, and maintaining compliance with applicable safety guidelines.
• Maintains accurate records of student behavior, safety incidents, and other required documentation.
• Ensures safe and clean vehicle condition throughout each shift in accordance with department standards.
• Follows established safety protocols during bus rides, loading/unloading, and emergency drills.
• Supports departmental goal to provide dependable, efficient, and safe transportation service to students.
• May be required to work nontraditional work schedule, including weeknights, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Subject to being called back to work to the City in emergencies or as needed to provide necessary services to the public. The employee must have the ability to be contacted and respond based on Departmental guidelines.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools, and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance.

Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education. Any combination of education and experience equivalent to completion of the eighth grade.

Preferred: Some experience in managing or caring for children and/or working in youth services.

Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements: Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check, pre-employment drug screen (Virginia Department of Transportation), pre-employment physical, and a pre-employment DMV driving record review. Required to successfully pass Tuberculosis (TB) testing. May be required to possess a valid appropriate driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia or ability to obtain one by employment start date and maintain an acceptable driving record in accordance with City criteria.

Job Knowledge: Working knowledge of applicable safety standards and protocols for student transportation, including emergency procedures. Working knowledge of behavior management and fostering a safe environment. Working knowledge of vehicle inspections to identify and report obvious safety concerns or equipment issues. Awareness of the needs of students with disabilities during transportation activities, including the proper handling and securing of assistive equipment. Basic familiarity with the work to understand common principles and terminology and to recognize and solve simple problems

Reading: Basic: Ability to understand the meaning of commonly used multi-syllable words and simple paragraphs. Comprehends simple written instructions, signs, and notices.

Writing: Basic: Ability to write clear and accurate simple letters, paragraphs and sentences containing subject, verb, and object, and/or a series of numbers, names, and addresses.

Math: Basic: Ability to perform the four basic arithmetic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Communication Skills: Basic: Provide standard information to and interacts with others outside direct reporting relationships on procedures or general policies. Interaction requires recognizing different points of view to ensure understanding and appropriate response. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with co-workers and customers.

Independence and Decision-Making: Requires Immediate Direction: Normally performs the duty assignment after receiving detailed instructions as to methods, procedures, and desired end results with little room for deviation. The immediate supervisor may, at times, provide close and constant review.

Technical Skills: Basic: Uses standard technical skills appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities. Ability to identify, evaluate, and respond to potential safety risks or hazards, and to implement corrective actions in a timely and effective manner.

Fiscal Responsibilities: No budgetary/fiscal responsibilities.

Supervisory Responsibilities: No responsibility for the supervision of others.

Other Characteristics: Time pressures. Excellent time management and customer service skills. Ability to remain calm in stressful situations. Establishes rapport with co-workers and others. Takes responsibility for finding answers to questions and responding appropriately. Works closely with others as part of a team. Performs multiple tasks simultaneously. Works under constant interruptions and requests for service. May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals. May require a non-traditional work schedule.

Physical Demands: Medium Work: Exerts up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and some amount of force constantly to move objects. Work requires climbing (ascending/descending steps), lifting, pushing/pulling, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crawling, crouching, reaching, grasping, and repetitive motions. Must be able to remain in a stationary position for at least fifty (50) percent of the working time. Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware: Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.

Work Environment: Work is typically performed inside and around the exterior of a bus. Work is subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions, vibrations, loud noise, atmospheric conditions, and roadway safety hazards. The position work: Near moving mechanical parts. In and around fumes, gases, dust, dirt and/or airborne particles. In extreme temperatures and/or inadequate lighting. In or around toxic chemicals and/or blood-borne pathogens.