Bus Aide

Bus Aide

Salary Range: Single Route - $24,059 - $36,776 or Double Route $25,262 - $38,615

Ad Valorem - 2.40 parish property (ad valorem) tax mills are dedicated to employee salaries. The annual receipts from this tax are distributed to employees twice a year, one-half in January and one-half in June. The amount of each employee's supplement is the employee's salary multiplied by the annual percentage (computed each year based on actual tax revenues).

Job Goal

To assist in providing safe and reliable transportation for students by ensuring their well-being, comfort and proper supervision while on the bus. The Bus Aide supports students with special needs, enforces safety procedures and collaborates with the Bus Operator and school personnel to maintain a secure and orderly transportation environment.

Qualifications (minimum education, licensure, skills and/or experience)

Required

• High school diploma or GED®.
• Ability to assist students with physical, behavioral or medical needs during transportation.
• Capacity to lift students as needed, including securing wheelchairs and lifting mobility equipment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interact with students, parents, Bus Operators and school staff.
• Skillfulness to remain calm and respond appropriately in emergency or high-stress situations.
• Capability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism in handling student-related matters.
• Pass a pre-employment background check, drug test and physical examination per state and district requirements.

Preferred

• Experience working with children, especially in a school or transportation setting.
• Knowledge assisting students with disabilities or special needs.
• First Aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification (or ability to obtain within a specified timeframe).
• Crisis Prevention and Intervention (CPI) training.
• Familiarity with securing students in restraint systems, harnesses, car seats and wheelchair tie-downs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Technical Duties and Operations

• Adheres to assigned schedules to ensure timely and efficient transportation services while maintaining compliance with operational requirements.
• Helps students and other passengers with safe loading and unloading during transport and emergency situations to maintain safety and compliance.
• Aids with the operation and securement of specialized equipment, including wheelchair lifts, harnesses and other adaptive devices, ensuring compliance with American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and district safety regulations.
• Observes and assists students during transport to maintain order, enforce bus safety rules and ensure adherence to school district policies.
• Offers individualized assistance to students with disabilities, behavioral challenges or medical conditions as needed to ensure their comfort and safety during transport.
• Assists in managing emergency situations such as accidents, medical incidents or evacuations by following established safety procedures and administering basic first aid if necessary.
• Provides courteous and prompt assistance to students, parents and co-workers, including prioritizing tasks and requests professionally to build positive relationships and ensures the confidentiality of student records.
• As required for special-education routes, the Bus Aide:

• Ensures all students with disabilities are properly secured using district-approved devices (e.g., wheelchair tie-downs, harnesses, seatbelts) before the bus moves.
• Administers basic first aid or prescribed emergency procedures (e.g., seizure protocol, inhalers, EpiPens®, insulin) in accordance with individual student health plans.
• Supervises loading and unloading so students maintain three (3)-point contact, stay clear of pinch points and follow Aide / Operator cues.
• Operates and troubleshoots wheelchair lifts, ramps and child-safety restraint systems, documenting pre- and post-trip functionality.
• Secures mobility devices facing forward in compliance with ADA and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) guidelines.
• Implements transportation accommodations and behavior intervention strategies specified in each student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) / Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP).
• Maintains respectful, developmentally appropriate communication techniques (e.g., visual schedules, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices, calming scripts).
• Completes annual CPI (de-escalation) refresher, seizure-care course and lift / securement certification.

Communication and Teamwork

• Fosters positive working relationships by collaborating effectively with supervisors, co-workers and school administration to support departmental and district goals.
• Reports emergencies, disciplinary incidents and accidents promptly to the Bus Operator, ensuring appropriate responses to safeguard passengers and completes all required accident reports accurately and in a timely manner.
• Identifies opportunities to enhance service delivery and streamline work processes and supports the implementation of quality improvement initiatives.

Compliance

• Follows school, district, state and federal regulations to ensure compliance and the safe transportation of passengers, including adhering to all statutes requiring the physical presence of a Bus Aide on the bus as stipulated by state law.
• Assists the Bus Operator in implementing policies and procedures, including directing personal and parental concerns through appropriate channels while maintaining confidentiality.

Safety and Security

• Adheres to safety guidelines, ensures the bus environment is hazard-free and supports the Bus Operator in maintaining passenger safety and compliance with school bus safety regulations.

Professional Development

• Attends training sessions on student management, emergency response and safety protocols to ensure compliance with school district and state transportation regulations.

Additional Responsibilities

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned to meet the needs of the department.
• Contributes to district-wide projects and collaborates with other departments on cross-functional goals.
• Maintains a valid driver's license and a clear driving record, follows all district policies and state regulations for safe vehicle operation, reports any incidents affecting their ability to drive immediately to their supervisor and ensures proper care, maintenance and responsible use of district vehicles if required to use a district vehicle for assigned duties.

Physical Demands

This role primarily operates in an indoor, climate-controlled environment, with occasional exposure to moderate temperature variations. The usual methods of performing job functions require moderate lifting (up to fifty [50] pounds), carrying, pushing and pulling with frequent engagement in activities such as standing, walking and sitting. Additional physical requirements include; ability to sit for prolonged periods; ability to climb up stairs and/or steps; ability to drive within the district to meetings and events; ability to work in varying conditions, such as inclement weather, wet or slippery floors and/or exposure to cleaning chemicals; ability to handle changes in temperature and noise levels; ability to manage high levels of physical and mental energy throughout the workday; emotional and physical resilience to handle stressful situations, emergencies or high-demand environments; adequate strength to assist students with mobility needs, including lifting or carrying medical supplies; and ability to respond quickly to emergencies, providing first aid or support to students as needed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Plaquemines Parish School System is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion or any other legally protected status in its educational programs, activities or employment practices. The district is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect.