School Bus Driver Assistant

Bus Driver Assistant

Position is responsible for the safety and care of all students including, students with significant disabilities, special needs or the very young while on a school bus. Minimum qualifications include the ability to deal with exuberant behavioral characteristics of youthful riders, sufficient strength, agility, and dexterity needed to assist students who are physically/mentally challenged. Ability to recognize and move quickly to solve problems, familiarity with the proper use of wheelchairs, braces, crutches, etc. Ability to determine when a child is behaving abnormally for his/her disability. Possess personal characteristics of flexibility, sympathy, understanding, patience, friendliness, and emotional stability.

Performance responsibilities include helping students to safely board the bus, ensuring that Pre-K and kindergarten students are released to an authorized person, maintaining student discipline following the guidelines established by the School Board Act in a professional manner exhibiting a positive image in dealing with students, parents, and school division personnel. Assist in emergency evacuation drills in keeping with division regulations. Attend workshops and safety meetings as directed. Operate hydraulic-lift equipped bus for the purpose of loading and unloading students utilizing wheelchairs. Secure each student into his/her location with either harnesses, seat belts, wheelchair locks, or other safety equipment. Be aware of the health and/or behavior problems of each child riding the bus. Reports any unusual or changed behavior to the driver, school staff and/or parents. Must be able to learn about and adapt to different disabilities and/or special needs such as autism, ED, DD, and LD etc. Be familiar with the medical, psychological, and physical background of each child and at the same time respect their right to confidentiality. Be alert and exercise good judgment concerning emergencies, disabled vehicles, and special requests by parents of students. Instruct students concerning the skills and actions of responsible passengers. Perform other duties as assigned by Bus Driver, Bus Driver - Lead, Transportation Area Supervisor, and Director of Transportation. Reports to: Bus Driver - Lead. Each driver assistant shall be directly responsible to the principal of the school(s) served on matters related to student discipline and patron relations. Terms of employment: 182 days per year. Workshop/in-service as required. Evaluation: Performance on this job will be evaluated in accordance with school board policy and administrative regulations on evaluation of non-licensed personnel.