Substitute Bus Operator

Position Type:
Transportation/Subsittue Bus Operator

Date Posted:
5/27/2026

Location:
Transportation

Closing Date:
06/09/2026
THE SCHOOL BOARD OF HIGHLANDS COUNTY

POSITION TITLE: Bus Operator

ASSIGNMENT: Bus Operator - Transportation

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. High school diploma or GED; supplemented by five (5) to eleven (11) months previous experience and/or training involving driving a passenger vehicle; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience (In-lieu of high school diploma or GED, applicants shall sign an agreement to obtain a GED within two (2) years of initial employment).
2. Hold a valid Florida Commercial Driver's License, Class B (or higher), with school bus and passenger endorsement.
3. Successful completion of approved training course for school bus operators.
4. Demonstrate the following aptitudes and abilities:
   • LANGUAGE SKILLS - Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence and memoranda. Ability to write simple reports. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to students, parents, and other employees of the organization.
   • MATHEMATICAL SKILLS - Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
   • REASONING ABILITY - Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form and perform semi-routine standardized work with some latitude for independent judgment concerning choices of action. Ability to exercise the judgment required in situations characterized by repetitive or short cycle operations covered by set procedures or sequences.
5. Successful completion, as determined by a School Board approved physician, of a Florida School Bus Operators Medical Examination Report for Commercial Driver Fitness Determination.
6. Physical ability to perform tasks that involve the ability to exert moderate, though not constant physical effort, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (15-25 pounds).
7. Physical ability to perform highly skilled coordinated movements.
8. Physical ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, and depths. Some tasks require visual perception and discrimination, as well as oral communications ability.
9. Physical ability to safely operate school bus during exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, traffic hazards, violence, disease, or pathogenic substances.
10. Physical ability to inspect the bus daily, to include checking the brake system and the engine compartment (belts, hoses and fluid levels), the emergency doors, windows and hatches.
11. Physical ability to operate the service doors and open and close windows.
12. Physical ability to ascend and descend bus entrance steps to ensure safety to oneself and others.
13. Physical ability to implement emergency evacuation procedures.
14. Satisfactory clearance of a criminal history records check and drug screening.

ADDITIONAL DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

None at this time

PRIMARY PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Obeys all traffic laws
2. Observes all mandatory safety regulations for school buses
3. Maintains student discipline and reports student misconduct to principal of school or to supervisor
4. Informs the Transportation Department as to any suggested changes in route schedules or bus load
5. Assists other school bus operators on their routes in case of emergency
6. Follows printed route for the bus unless permission to follow an alternate route is given by the Transportation Office
7. Keeps to assigned time schedule when traffic and weather conditions permit.
8. Discharges students only at authorized stops
9. Transports only authorized persons as identified by procedure
10. Completes and submits to the Transportation Office all required reports and information in accordance with the policy of the School Board and State Board of Education Regulations
11. Operates any school bus assigned to the Transportation fleet
12. Performs pre-trip inspection of bus before each operation
13. Performs a complete interior inspection of the bus after each run and trip to ensure no students are left on board
14. Notifies the proper authorities in case of mechanical failure on appropriate forms
15. Maintains a clean and orderly bus
16. Reports all accidents or incidents to the Transportation Office using the required forms and following the required timelines
17. Attends all required in-service training sessions
18. Maintains effective working relationship with other employees, parents, and public
19. Wears the prescribed uniform whenever operating the bus or while otherwise on duty
20. Complies with Florida State School Board regulations, School Board policies and Transportation Department regulations and procedures
21. Exercises responsible leadership on all school trips

ADDITIONAL DUTIES:

Performs all other duties as assigned by the supervising administrator

TERM:

Length of contract and number of hours worked are determined by specific allocation as approved annually during planning-budgeting process

APPRAISAL:

Performance will be appraised annually in accordance with School Board of Highlands County policies

PAY GRADE:

According to the School Board of Highlands County Non-instructional Salary Schedule

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

Except as provided by law, The School Board of Highlands County shall not on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, marital status, disability, political or religious beliefs, national or ethnic origin, or genetic information, exclude individuals from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity in any employment condition or practice, or be denied equal access to school facilities if the organization is The Boy Scouts of America or other patriotic youth groups.

Revised and Board Approved 5/22/2007
Reformatted 1/14/2008
APA Approved 7/28/2015
Modified 8/20/2021

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR ALL PERSONNEL:

All applicants for positions offered by the School Board of Highlands County will be evaluated for possession of the following personal qualities:

1. Honesty, dependability, punctuality, accuracy, and diligence on the job
2. Ability to relate well to fellow workers, parents, students, and the general public
3. Habits of dress, grooming, and personal conduct suitable to the work site and school environment
4. Willingness to use professional practices appropriate to public service and school settings
5. Ability to communicate clearly and accurately, orally and in writing
6. Ability to understand and follow written and oral directions
7. Ability to access, organize, and maintain information needed in the performance of specific work tasks
8. Willingness to become totally familiar with and to comply with school district policies, procedures, rules, and functions
9. Demonstrate sensitivity to cultural diversity and to district expectations governing equity, non-discrimination, and equal opportunity
10. Willingness to complete in-service training needed to enhance and update job performance over a period of service

Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified applicants with disabilities during the application and interview process.
To request accommodations, please contact:
Carla Ball, Director of Human Resources
426 School Street
Sebring, FL 33870
View phone number on click.appcast.io
View email address on click.appcast.io

CLEARINGHOUSE INFORMATION: