Bus Driver (Head Start, Part-time)

Bus Driver

At a Glance: As a Bus Driver, you'll play a vital role in creating a safe, welcoming, and dependable transportation experience for children and families. You'll be responsible for driving assigned routes, following all traffic laws, and ensuring every rider arrives safely and on time—making a meaningful impact in their daily journey. This position is categorized as a Truck Driver 2, under State of Washington Class Specification. This position is a non-permanent classified position working no more than 19 hours per week. This position will require in person work.

Examples of Duties & Responsibilities

In this role you will have the opportunity to:

• Keeps to assigned schedule, runs fixed routes as written; does not make unauthorized changes to routes or stops.
• Maintains a clean and hygienic environment inside the vehicle; cleans outside as necessary.
• Checks bus before each operation for mechanical defects and report failure to proper person
• Discharge students only at authorized stops and ensures children are released only to an authorized individual
• Punctual; demonstrated good attendance, advises Transportation Manager at least one hour ahead of time if unable to work.
• Creates written reports as necessary, including daily vehicle reports, behavior management referrals, incident reports, etc.
• Conducts a professional pre-trip inspection of every vehicle driven every day and reports suspected mechanical problems at once, which includes all emergency equipment, i.e., first aid kit, fire extinguisher, seat belt cutter and child safety restraint systems
• Completes Daily Vehicle Inspection Reports accurately and in a timely fashion
• Conducts a thorough post-trip inspection for children or other items left on board, or vehicle problems and before entering the school. (Both the driver and monitor are responsible for checking for children).
• Complies with all safety requirements in the Final Rule, all state school bus laws and regulations, and all Program procedures as stipulated in the transportation policy and procedures handbook, memos, notices, meetings, etc. Must be aware of and follow all current transportation laws and regulations.
• Uses reasonable precaution in the performance of all duties. Acts in such a manner as to ensure maximum safety to children, parents, self, the public, and fellow employees at all times.
• Refrains from any act or omission that could jeopardize the safety of children.
• Immediately report (by radio, cell phone or other means) incidents, accidents, or unusual situations that could or did place a child at risk of injury, and willing and able to describe such incidents in writing.
• Reports any significant safety hazards (routes, roadways, changing weather conditions, etc.) to Transportation Manager as soon as possible and prior to proceeding if at all possible.
• Reports any signs of child abuse and/or neglect at once.
• Assists Bus Monitor in ensuring that children's medication is transported in a secure manner and that chain of custody is properly documented.
• Conducts and documents effective safety drills for children and parents.
• With the assistance of the Transportation Manager, prepares written emergency evacuation plans when transporting children with disabilities, and updates plans as necessary.
• When transporting children using wheelchairs or other adaptive equipment, exercises a high degree of caution, in accordance with training, when using a wheelchair lift and securing wheelchairs into the vehicle, and as much as possible avoids sharp turns and bumps, which could injure children in wheelchairs.
• Actively participates in all required training sessions
• Ability to communicate professionally in both routine and unusual situation
• Ability to be flexible and patient in trying situations
• Report all students with behavior concerns to the proper authority
• Other duties as assigned. Exhibits flexibility and tolerance as routes or other conditions change.

Typical Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be 21 years of age
• Valid Washington State CDL class B Driver's License, including passenger and school (S) endorsement
• Satisfactorily complete/obtain the Washington State school bus driver's training certificate. (this course includes classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training)
• Minimum of 5 years' experience driving a regular vehicle or 1 years' experience driving a commercial vehicle
• A physical examination certifying the physical capability of doing the assigned job
• Possess a valid first aid card and CPR endorsement
• Enjoy working with children and parents and ability to relate effectively to them
• Any additional health and/or other requirements as the state and/or Lower Columbia College Head Start / EHS / ECEAP Performance Standards may require
• Has not been terminated from a previous driving job due to a safety infraction or a drug or alcohol violation. (Federal law requires commercial vehicle employers to inquire about applicants' job histories of previous commercial vehicle employers).
• Excellent driving record. Driving record must be checked prior to hire.

Bus Driver Physical Requirements include: (Physical Requirements obtained from WAC 392-144-102 (A – E))

• Hearing capability must be sufficient to detect and distinguish traffic sounds occurring from any direction outside the bus, such as horns, whistles, sirens, trains, bells, etc., from a distance which will allow adequate time for defensive or evasive action to avoid a hazardous situation.
• Vision must be 20/40 in best eye, with or without correction; approximately 140 degrees peripheral, which as a single criteria shall not be excluding; and depth perception adequate to reasonably determine distance and closing rate of other moving vehicles from a stationary or moving school bus.
• Eye coordination to avoid diplopia; color vision must be adequate to distinguish the colors of red, green and amber of a traffic light Ability to operate all hand and foot controls installed in a school bus as required by Washington State (minimum) School Bus Specifications.
• Is physically able to maneuver and control a school bus under all driving conditions.
• Is physically able to use all controls and equipment found on state minimum specified school buses.
• Is physically able to perform daily routine school bus vehicle safety inspections.
• Has sufficient strength and agility to move about in a school bus as required to provide assistance to students in evacuating the bus.
• The driver must be able to move from a seated position in a sixty-five passenger school bus, or the largest school bus the driver will be operating, to the emergency door, open the emergency door, and exit the bus through the emergency door, all within twenty-five seconds
• Provide a copy of a current and valid medical examiner's certificate to their employer.

Prior to First Day Employment Requirements

• Washington State Patrol Background Check
• Sex Offender Registry Check
• Current Washington State CDL class B Driver's License, to include passenger and school (S) endorsement
• Cleared Portable Background Check through MERIT (to include fingerprinting)
• TB test completed within the last year
• Provide Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) or Acceptable Version of CIS in accordance with the Washington Department of Health, to include:
• MMR Vaccine or proof of immunity to measles
• Valid driver's license
• Drug and alcohol screening
• Policy Council Approval
• Unofficial transcripts

Supplemental Information

How to apply:

An online application must be completed for consideration. Click "Apply" at the top of the page to get started. Paper submissions or emailed materials will not be accepted. A complete application must also include the following documents (attached or in the online application itself):

• Letter of Interest (cover letter) - describing your interest in Lower Columbia College and this position, how your experience, knowledge/skills, education, abilities etc. meet the qualifications for this position
• Resume
• References - please provide at least three professional references including one current or former supervisor
• Unofficial transcripts

Upon request, accommodations are available for persons with disabilities for the Lower Columbia College hiring process. Please contact Human Resources to request an accommodation. The Human Resources Office is accessible to persons with disabilities.

Residency Requirement

To be employed at Lower Columbia College, applicants must currently reside in Washington or Oregon, or be willing to relocate to one of these states. This is a condition of employment for all positions