Bus Driver

Bus Driver

Exemption Status/Test: Nonexempt

Reports to: Director of Transportation

Dept./School: Transportation

Primary Purpose

Operate school bus and related equipment to provide safe and orderly transportation of students and other authorized persons on assigned route and to and from other designated locations.

Qualifications

Education/Certification:

Clear and valid Texas commercial driver's license with Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Must be 18 years of age

Ability to pass U.S. Department of Transportation alcohol and drug tests and annual physical exam

Ability to complete required bus driver safety training

Ability to follow written and verbal instructions

Ability to use maps and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to follow routes and locate addresses

Ability to manage student behavior

Ability to communicate effectively with others Ability to operate bus

Experience:

None

Major Responsibilities and Duties

Vehicle Operation

1. Drive bus daily following assigned route and adhering to established schedules.
2. Drive bus to and from extracurricular activities.
3. Anticipate problems such as traffic, weather, road conditions, and schedule changes and make necessary adjustments to ensure student safety and reduce delays.
4. Perform pre- and post-trip inspections according to specifications to ensure bus can be operated safely and notify supervisor of needed repairs. Keep assigned bus clean and maintain appropriate level of fuel.
5. Report all accidents, vehicle damage, student injuries, and mechanical problems and complete required corresponding reports.

Student Management

1. Instruct students on safe entering, exiting, and passenger rules and regulations. Supervise students while they board and leave the bus and cross the street.
2. Maintain discipline and use effective behavior management control over groups of students. Report student discipline problems to appropriate administrator and communicate with teachers and parents regarding student's behavior when warranted.
3. Perform emergency evacuation of students on bus when the situations warrants.

Safety

1. Observe all traffic laws and safety regulations for school buses.
2. Ensure proper condition of emergency equipment, such as first aid kit, fire extinguisher, flags, fuses, crow bar, and reflector.
3. Correct unsafe conditions in work area and promptly report conditions that are not immediately correctable to supervisor. Report any hazardous conditions along scheduled route.
4. Install snow chains during inclement weather.
5. Maintain safety certification.

Other

1. Operate and monitor two-way radio equipment to communicate with transportation office and other drivers.
2. Complete and maintain accurate, up-to-date, and timely records and reports including but not limited to those related to bus mileage, gas and oil consumption, and number of passengers transported.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors

Tools/Equipment Used: Operate school bus; two-way radio; global positioning system (GPS); safety equipment including but not limited to flares, reflective signs, and fire extinguisher

Posture: Prolonged sitting; frequent standing and twisting; occasional kneeling/squatting, bending, stooping, and pushing/pulling

Motion: Prolonged driving; moderate walking; frequent climbing stairs, grasping/squeezing, wrist and shoulder flexion/extension, and reaching

Lifting: Limited light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds) on a daily basis

Environment: Frequent exposure to extreme hot and cold temperatures, noise, and vehicle fumes; work around moving vehicles; regularly work irregular hours, and occasionally work prolonged hours

Mental Demands: Maintain emotional control under stress

Jasper ISD Bus Driver Stipends 2023-2024

Due to the state-wide shortage of bus drivers, Jasper ISD has approved additional recruitment, attendance, and referral stipends for Jasper ISD bus drivers. Below is a summary of stipends currently available for Jasper ISD bus drivers—please share with anyone interested in joining the District's transportation team and serving the students of Jasper ISD.

Hiring Incentive

• New Single Route Drivers (AM or PM): $1,250 hiring stipend upon completion of 3 months with 95% attendance rate. Only drivers new to the District are eligible.
• New Multiple Route Drivers (AM & PM): $2,500 hiring stipend upon completion of 3 months with 95% attendance rate. Only drivers new to the District are eligible.

Attendance Incentive

• New Multiple Route Drivers (AM & PM): $2,500 attendance stipend upon continuous employment, through the end of the 2023-2024 school year with a 95% attendance rate. Only drivers new to the District, hired September 11, 2023, through December 20 are eligible.

Referral Incentive

• JISD Employee: $2,500 referral stipend upon referral of an individual that is hired on or before December 20, 2023, to drive multiple routes (AM & PM) and remains continuously employed through the end of the 2023-2024 school year.
• JISD Employee: $1,500 referral stipend upon referral of an individual that is hired on or before December 20, 2023, to drive a single route (AM or PM) and remains continuously employed through the end of the 2023-2024 school year.

One individual may not earn more than $5,000 pursuant to the Hiring, Attendance, and Referral Incentives during the 2023-2024 school year