26-27 Bus Driver

Dubuque Community School District Bus Driver

General Characteristics: Qualifications: High School diploma or equivalent. Ability to meet all requirements of the Department of Education for school bus drivers. Ability to work with, lead and teach students appropriate bus behavior and rules. Positive, patient, flexible attitude to work in a structured environment. Ability to keep bus in clean working condition. Strong communication skills. Experience: School bus or large vehicle driving experience preferred. Acceptable driving record. Knowledge of the streets and roads of the DCSD area. Some knowledge of automotive mechanics preferred. Experience working with or supervising children preferred.

Working Relationships: Works with Drivers, Attendants, Dispatchers, Mechanics & General Public. Supervises Students. Reports to Assistant Manager and Manager of Transportation.

Basic Function: To provide safe, efficient and reliable transportation for eligible students of the Dubuque Community School District. Paid training. In house Entry Level Driver Training program in place for qualified applicants needing licensing. Electronic routing programs provided for driving directions and student information.

Position Responsibilities: Maintain a current commercial driver's license, CDL physical and school bus permit. Observe all state laws and regulations to be a safe, defensive and courteous driver. All employees are subject to pre-hire and periodic background investigation. All drivers are subject to pre-hire alcohol and drug screen at employer's expense. All drivers are subject to and must report on demand for random or post-accident drug and alcohol testing. Report to work in a timely manner to perform all duties as scheduled. Complete pre-use bus inspection, report any faults to Mechanics. Acquire current knowledge of the roads and streets within the Dubuque Community School District. Use provided route information to run on scheduled time. Supervise safe loading, unloading and transportation of students from age 2 to 21. Be a positive role model for students by exhibiting professional work habits. Teach students safe riding habits and emergency evacuation procedures. Be able to relate to and successfully work with students with medical, mental or physical needs. Follow any required special handling requirements that the students may need. When required or present, ensures child restraint equipment or seat belts are properly used. Maintains order with respect. Refers misbehaved student activity to the Transportation Manager. Maintain confidentiality of all records and student information. Legibly & accurately complete all required paperwork and record keeping. Report accurate description of child abuse when observed. Keep route or trip vehicle interior and exterior in clean condition. Fuel vehicle, post trip inspection and perform other minor maintenance tasks. Report operational condition to mechanics as needed for repair. Be available and successfully complete all required training. Be able to learn technology requirements as needed. Be able to communicate information clearly and in appropriate, professional manner. Be able to work effectively in stressful, emergency situations when they occur. Report to supervisor any, and all, traffic accidents and/or violations when they occur. Use positive professional attitude with co-workers, school staff, parents and students.

Working Conditions: Risk of exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues. Risk involved with working in a moving environment. Driving in traffic, on highways, side streets, parking lots and rough rural roads. Risk of exposure to communicable diseases. Acceptable to work in varying temperatures; extreme heat or cold. The ability to work around vehicles with loud, noisy, moving parts. Possible exposure to vehicle exhaust and cleaning supplies.

Position Expectations Regarding Professionalism, Confidentiality and Training: Maintain professional emotional behavior at all times, regardless of the situation. Profanity is strictly prohibited. Personal cell phone use while students are on the bus or in your care is not allowed. Limit accessories such as scarves, long necklaces, dangling earrings, loose clothing or drawstrings as them items could cause harm to you in the event of an altercation or be a snag hazard. Close toed and heeled shoe should be worn. For your safety, no sandal like shoes should be worn. Dress for expected and worst possible weather conditions. Personal items such as a purse, cell phone, iPod, earphones unworn clothing should be stowed. Avoid personal grooming products with strong fragrance or scent, as they can have a negative effect on students with sensory issues. Avoid having long finger nails as they might accidently scratch a student, cause a snag issue or prevent you from completing required tasks. Have good personal hygiene. Seat belt must be worn at all times. Be mindful that all district employees are under high public scrutiny. All employees should demonstrate positive courteous behavior around students, parents, staff, co-workers and especially while driving in traffic. Be sensitive to the needs of all people. Do not have unprofessional conversations about your students, staff or co-workers. Do not discuss students' needs in front of other students, parents, or non-pertinent staff. Be respectful to the parents of your students by politely greeting them. Do not engage in conversations of parenting or of a personal nature. Keep your opinions to yourself. The information you have on students is confidential. It must not be shared with others not involved in the care of those children. All decisions regarding the care of your students is a team decision. Please bring concerns to the appropriate staff; supervisor, manager, principal. Drivers and attendants need to treat each other with respect at all times. It is important for a good working relationship and presenting a unified approach to your passengers. Disagreements should never be aired in front of your students, parents, or other school staff. Disputes should be solved privately or with the help of transportation Management. Those deemed by management unable to physically complete the duties of this position may be required to successfully pass a job specific physical. Such physicals will be performed by Tri-State Occupational Health and be paid for by the district. Training will be provided at district expense for first aid/CPR, Quality Behavioral Solutions(QBS), Body fluid kit, Seatbelt use, Wheelchair securement, Safety vest use and securement, Evacuation procedures, Emergency response, Defensive driving & Bus operation, Mandatory reporter.

Benefits: Three paid personal days. Paid Bereavement days per contract schedule and definition. Paid sick days per contract schedule and definition. Longevity, consecutive years of service, pay increases. Paid holidays for the school year including Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Years Eve, New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr Day, Good Friday. Eligible for additional hours driving trips and activities. School year calendar work days. IPERS contribution for those meeting eligibility guidelines.