Bus Driver

Position Type:
Classified/Bus Driver

Date Posted:
9/8/2026

Location:
Transportation
Position Details: 4.25 hours/day, 191 days/year

Pay Range: PSE 2 Salary Schedule

All applicants for employment in positions requiring a commercial driver's license (CDL) are subject to pre-employment controlled substances testing. District employees performing safety sensitive functions are subject to random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty and follow-up testing mandated by the Federal Highway Administration (49 CFR Part 382) and district policy.

Benefits: This position is eligible for medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance in accordance with the School Employee Benefits Board rules and regulations. Information about benefits offered can be found HERE . Paid time off and other benefits are offered in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Public School Employees of Kelso Chapter #2 found HERE .

School employees | Washington State Health Care Authority

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Safely operate under all types of weather conditions a school bus on scheduled routes and/or on all types of trips in support of district approved activities, both within and outside the school district boundaries
• Service, inspect and clean school buses and related equipment as required by state and district policy and/or procedures
• Operate and service all school bus equipment and accessories including but not limited to fire extinguishers, highway warning kits, snow chains, sanders, first aid kits, etc.
• Perform required operational and safety inspections of the school bus and all related equipment
• Maintain control of student passengers as related to safety
• Report unsafe acts or conditions which require the attention of the Transportation Supervisor, the Dispatcher, shop personnel or other school district officials
• Maintain a neat, clean personal appearance; work apparel should be appropriate for a professional and safe work environment
• At all times obey the laws of the State of Washington and regulations promulgated by the Superintendent of Public Instruction and State Board of Education regarding the operation of a school bus
• Perform other school bus driver related duties as directed by local school district policies, regulations and/or procedures
• Communicate effectively, responsibly and accurately with students, parents, co-workers and other school district staff
• Perform basic first aid as appropriate, which may include CPR
• Legibly and accurately complete state and district forms, records, timesheets, trip requests, route studies, trouble reports, misconduct reports, accident reports, and other clerical type activities as may be required
• Due to the characteristics of pupil transportation, must be available, reliable, flexible and adaptable to varying work hours and conditions
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities
• Assist in upholding and enforcing school rules, administrative regulations, and board policies
• Must have regular and consistent attendance

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Must have a minimum of five years driving experience and provide a complete bus driver abstract from the Department of Licensing
• Successfully complete school bus driver training programs and courses established by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and/or the school district prior to employment
• Must possess a valid Washington State School Bus Driver's Authorization
• Must meet and maintain school bus driver requirements set forth in WAC 392-144
• Ability to uphold board policies and follow administrative procedures
• Hearing capability must be sufficient to detect and distinguish traffic sounds occurring from any direction outside the bus, such as horns, whistles, sirens, trains, bells, etc., from a distance which will allow adequate time for defensive or evasive action to avoid a hazardous situation
• Vision must be 20/40 in best eye, with or without correction; approximately 140 degrees peripheral, which as a single criteria shall not be excluding; and depth perception adequate to reasonably determine distance and closing rate of other moving vehicles from a stationary or moving school bus. Eye coordination to avoid diplopia; color vision must be adequate to distinguish the colors of red, green and amber of a traffic light
• Ability to operate all hand and foot controls installed in a school bus as required by Washington State (minimum) School Bus Specifications
• Must be able to meet the physical and mental standards necessary to perform the duties, tasks and responsibilities of a school bus driver as described in this job posting
• Must be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in written work
• Demonstrated ability to work as a team member and be able to project a positive, friendly and caring attitude toward others
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people through organizational skills and commitment to follow through on task
• Must possess sufficient strength and agility to assist ill, injured or physically impaired students to enter or exit a school bus through the passenger service door and/or emergency exits as a normal routine, or when the bus has been damaged or has otherwise been rendered inoperable
• Must possess valid first aid and CPR cards (or obtain upon employment) and be willing to keep cards current
• Scores on district-administered achievement test which indicate appropriate skill and which are consistent with established standards

EDUCATION:

• High school diploma and/or equivalent; prior job related experience with increasing levels of responsibility

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Perform all other duties as assigned

BARGAINING UNIT AFFILIATION:

• Public School Employees of Kelso Chapter #2 (PSE 2)

RESPONSIBLE TO:

• Transportation Supervisor

Kelso School District #458 complies with all federal rules and regulations and does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups listed in Title 36 of the United States Code. Kelso School District offers classes in many Career and Technical Education (CTE) program areas, such as Agriculture Sciences, Business & Marketing, Family Consumer Sciences, Health Sciences, Skilled & Technical Sciences, and STEM under its open admissions policy. Lack of English language proficiency will not be a barrier to admission and participation in career and technical education programs.


The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Holly Budge, Director of Human Resources, Title VII Officer, ADA Coordinator; 601 Crawford Street, Kelso, WA 98626; View email address on click.appcast.io, View phone number on click.appcast.io; and Gunnar Guttormsen, Director of Student Services/Assessment, Title IX & Section 504 Coordinator; 601 Crawford Street, Kelso, WA 98626; View email address on click.appcast.io, View phone number on click.appcast.io


For more information about CTE course offerings and admissions criteria, contact: Melissa Boudreau, CTE Director; Kelso High School, 1904 Allen Street, Kelso, WA 98626; View email address on click.appcast.io, View phone number on click.appcast.io; or Mara Rinker, Registrar; Kelso High School, 1904 Allen Street, Kelso, WA 98626; View email address on click.appcast.io, View phone number on click.appcast.io.


KELSO SCHOOL DISTRICT IS A DRUG AND TOBACCO-FREE WORKPLACE