Bus Driver (Split Shift)

Job Description

Job Description

About This Role

Join our dedicated childcare transportation team as a Bus Driver (Split Shift) and play an essential role in keeping our children safe as they travel to and from our center. In this position, you will operate the childcare bus during scheduled morning and afternoon routes while providing a safe, secure, and welcoming transportation experience for young children.

The ideal candidate is a responsible, safety-focused, and dependable professional who understands the importance of active bus monitoring, child supervision, and following all applicable Tennessee transportation laws and childcare safety requirements. You will be responsible for conducting vehicle safety checks, maintaining accurate transportation records, assisting children during boarding and exiting, and responding appropriately to transportation or safety concerns.

This is more than simply driving a bus—you are responsible for helping protect and care for children during one of the most important parts of their day. Your patience, professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to child safety will make a meaningful difference for our children and families.

• Safely operate childcare buses during scheduled pick-up and drop-off routes, maintaining a safe, timely, and professional transportation environment for young children.
• Stay current with Tennessee transportation laws, childcare transportation requirements, licensing regulations, and applicable safety standards, completing required training and updates as directed.
• Safely assist children with boarding and exiting the bus, providing appropriate support for children with disabilities or mobility needs, including wheelchair assistance when applicable.
• Maintain active supervision and continuous bus monitoring to ensure every child is accounted for before, during, and after transportation.
• Follow established child attendance, passenger count, and child-check procedures to prevent children from being left unattended or unaccounted for.
• Conduct thorough pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections, including checking safety equipment, emergency exits, seat belts/restraints, tires, lights, and overall vehicle condition; report concerns immediately.
• Follow all applicable traffic laws, Tennessee transportation regulations, childcare policies, and defensive driving practices while transporting children.
• Maintain a safe and appropriate environment on the bus by reinforcing childcare expectations and addressing unsafe behaviors promptly and professionally.
• Respond appropriately to emergencies, accidents, severe weather, vehicle breakdowns, or other transportation incidents while following established emergency procedures.
• Maintain current knowledge of and follow required CPR, First Aid, emergency preparedness, and child safety procedures as applicable to the position.
• Maintain accurate transportation documentation, including daily routes, attendance/passenger counts, vehicle inspections, mileage, incidents, maintenance concerns, and required transportation records.
• Communicate professionally and respectfully with children, families, teachers, and center leadership regarding transportation schedules, safety concerns, and individual child needs.
• Protect children's privacy and confidentiality while maintaining a professional and supportive relationship with families.
• Ensure children remain properly supervised and safely secured throughout transportation and follow all required child passenger safety and restraint procedures.
• Never leave children unattended on or around the bus and complete required bus sweeps/vehicle checks at the end of each route.
• Immediately report any safety concern, injury, behavioral incident, transportation violation, mechanical issue, or suspected child safety concern to the appropriate supervisor.
• Participate in required staff meetings, transportation trainings, safety drills, and professional development to remain knowledgeable about current Tennessee childcare transportation and child safety requirements.
• Support the center's commitment to providing safe, reliable, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate transportation for every child.

• Proven experience in bus driving, school bus driving, or transit bus operation with a strong understanding of transportation safety regulations
• Knowledge of traffic laws, emergency response procedures for transportation, and vehicle codes applicable to commercial driving
• Ability to perform heavy lifting when assisting passengers or handling equipment safely
• Excellent communication skills in English; multilingual abilities are a plus for serving diverse communities
• Strong mechanical knowledge for routine vehicle inspections and troubleshooting minor issues
• Familiarity with child care procedures, student discipline strategies, and behavior management techniques
• Experience working with children or seniors is highly valued; patience and compassion are essential qualities
• Valid driver’s license with appropriate (F) endorsement; clean driving record required
• Knowledge of state and local commercial driving laws relevant to school or transit bus operation
• Ability to respond swiftly to traffic changes or emergencies with quick decision-making skills
• Writing skills for completing reports accurately; attention to detail is critical

• Child Care Discount
• Professional Development