Bus Monitor/Van Driver and/or Substitute Bus Monitor/Van Driver

School Bus Monitor/Van Driver

Under the general supervision of the Transportation Director, the School Bus Monitor's main priority is to assist in providing safe transportation so that students may enjoy the fullest possible advantage from the district's curriculum and extracurricular program. This position reports to the Transportation Director.

Depending upon the individual assignment, the Bus Monitor may perform all or a combination of the following:

• Assists the bus driver in maintaining safety and good student conduct on the bus.
• Assist young or disabled children boarding the school bus, leaving the bus or being transported.
• Seats self in an area on the bus to ensure observation of all passengers at all times and make sure they are following school bus safety rules.
• Is aware of problems between students and keeping those students separated by assigning seats.
• Is responsible for securing students who ride in child restraint seats, etc.
• Inspects transportation passes to prevent unauthorized travel.
• Assures that students get on and off the bus in an orderly fashion.
• Maintains current knowledge of Emergency Evacuation procedures.
• Attend in-service meetings and training courses as assigned.
• Assists the school bus driver in reporting infractions of school bus safety to the transportation director.
• Collects and turns over to the school secretary those personal items left on the bus by students.
• Assists other transportation personnel for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities.

Qualifications:

• Works well with children.
• Experienced in first aid and CPR.
• Excellent health, literate, U.S. citizen, 21 years of age, non-criminal background.
• Ability to follow verbal or written instructions.
• Ability to maintain safe student transportation conditions.
• Knowledge of safety procedures.
• Skill in identifying and de-escalating a multitude of behavioral and emotional problems with children.
• Ability to physically move through the bus, center and classrooms.
• Ability to maintain composure and perform responsibilities under pressure and in cases of accidents or other emergencies.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.

Physical demands include working in standard school bus environment, kneeling, bending at the waist, reaching and walking, standing, stooping or crouching for prolonged periods, lifting, dragging, or moving heavy objects weighing more than eighty (80) pounds, operating power equipment such as wheelchair lifts, and communicating effectively using speech, vision, and hearing.

Certificates & Licenses: Valid Driver's License

Continuing Education / Training: Annual refresher course; restraint training; first aid.

Hours: Up to 30 hours per week during the school year.

Education: High School Diploma or GED.

Experience: Successful prior experience working as a bus monitor is preferable.

This position is responsible for the safe operation of a school vehicle transporting students or passengers to specified destinations based on established schedules. Performs all duties relative to the safe operation of a school vehicle.

Duties include driving multi-passenger vehicles, conducting vehicle safety checks, observing and following all federal, state and local regulations, complying with traffic regulations, picking up and dropping off students, keeping vehicle interiors clean, maintaining knowledge of first-aid procedures, performing basic vehicle cleaning, performing any required emergency procedures, maintaining required written records and forms, attending required safety training and annual refresher training, maintaining a safe environment according to school policies and procedures, and performing related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications include possessing or being able to obtain passenger endorsement, possessing a valid driver's license, passing all State of Illinois written testing and behind-the-wheel examinations, maintaining good working relationships with fellow employees and students, being physically able to bend, stoop, twist, turn, reach, carry, pull, push, and climb steps frequently and sit extensively, being able to lift up to 10 lbs, being able to push/pull up to 45 lbs, being able to communicate to students, parents and staff in an acceptable/courteous manner, being able to understand and follow basic oral and written instructions, being able to operate a wheelchair lift, enforcing school regulations and policies in a professional manner.

The work hours for this position will vary based on assigned route or destination. The schedule is subject to change with district demands. Overtime is required when requested. All van drivers and aides must present a clean, neat appearance while driving/riding a school vehicle. As a representative of Illinois Valley Central District #321 you must dress in a manner designed to instill a degree of respect.