2026-27 Substitute Transportation Specialist

Transportation Specialist (Bus Driver)

Employment Begins: 2026-2027 School Year

Classification: Transportation Specialist

Location: Service Center

Reports to: Transportation Director or Designee

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit: PSE

This is a standard position description to be used for positions with similar duties, responsibilities, classification and compensation. Employees assigned to the position description may or may not perform all of the essential functions indicated in this position description.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Position Summary

Operates school buses in all types of weather conditions transporting students and other authorized persons to and from school and on field and extra-curricular trips. The District represents a diverse community with a population of more than 50% of students with diverse backgrounds. We seek an individual who has successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities. The selected candidate must demonstrate a commitment to strengthening community engagement and communication with the District's diverse populations.

Supervision and Controls over the Work

Operate school buses in all types of weather conditions including but not limited to fog, rain, hail, sleet, and snow. Transport students and other authorized persons to and from school, on field and extra-curricular trips as authorized by school district management. Serve under the administrative supervision of the District administrator responsible for transportation services or designee. Held responsible for route performance, safe operation of school buses, compliance with traffic laws, and compliance with all local, state, and federal laws, rules and regulations governing pupil transportation and school bus operation.

Major Duties and Responsibilities (depending on specific assignment, duties and responsibilities listed may include, but not limited to the following):

• School Bus Operation:
• Drive a school bus or other authorized vehicle on scheduled routes and/or trips in support of district-approved activities, both in and out of school district boundaries.
• Perform pre and post trip duties as determined by management.
• Service, inspect, and clean equipment as directed by management.
• Maintain current bus route information such as maps, run directions, student data, and other special instructions.
• Legible and accurate completion of forms, records, logs, and reports as required under district and state guidelines.
• Ability to formulate and exercise successful student management procedures resulting in a safe, friendly, caring atmosphere.
• Respond immediately to student emergencies such as illness or injury. Perform basic first aid as may be appropriate to include CPR.
• Be familiar with the use and care of fire extinguishers, warning devices, first aid and body fluid kits, and accident report forms. Perform emergency evacuation and earthquake drills as directed.
• Ability to support and value the efforts of ongoing cultural community projects and events.
• Professionalism and Customer Service: Projects a positive image and models appropriate student behavior by maintaining a suitable appearance, being courteous, considerate of other motorist, and displaying professional language and personal habits. Assist in creating a customer service culture that assures the operational program is responsive and sensitive to the needs of students, patrons, and school staff. Creates a welcoming environment for students and parents and providing flexibility to respond to the needs of customers.
• Required to follow Board policies and stay abreast of updates and changes.
• Performs other duties as assigned by administrator and/or designee.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Incumbents must have successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities, or have otherwise demonstrated a commitment to strengthening engagement of a diverse community and skill in communicating with a diverse population.
• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Minimum of five years of professional driving experience.
• Knowledge of laws, codes, rules, policies and regulations relating to pupil transportation.
• Ability to remain calm, thoughtful and deliberate in emergency situations and when dealing with student behavior issues.
• Ability to remain focused on safe school bus operation during distractions from student behavior.
• Effective oral and written communications; the ability to communicate effectively to calm students in emotional and behavior situations; and the ability to effectively communicate with parents and staff.
• Possess a safe driving record (as demonstrated in five year driving abstract), a valid Washington State Drivers License, and a Commercial Drivers License.
• Possess or be eligible to obtain in a timely manner a Washington State School Bus Driver's Certificate and appropriate licensing endorsement.
• This position is subject to random drug testing.

Desired Qualifications:

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• Bilingual skills

Physical, Mental and Environmental Requirements of the Position:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Steering, clutching, and braking a school bus requires strong physical condition; requires prolonged sitting; exposed to high noise levels from engines and students; exposed to road and traffic hazards; required to service buses and to drive in inclement weather.

Requires substantial concentration in various traffic and road conditions to remain alert and responsive despite distractions from students; requires decisiveness and good judgment in emergencies; may occasionally deal with distraught or difficult students, parents or community members.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, lift, carry, move about, hear and speak. Employee may be required to perform extensive work at a computer display terminal.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and must be able to lift and move students of greater weight in emergency situations.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Insurance Benefits

Employees who are anticipated to work 630 hours during the school year (September 1 through August 31) are eligible for medical, dental, vision, long term disability and basic life insurance benefits.

North Thurston Public Schools benefits are administered by the Washington State Healthcare Authority under the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). Click on the link for information on available benefit options.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

Eligible employees are required to be a member of the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems Plan. For eligibility information, check on the link to the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in tax deferred 403(b) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans (DCP). These are supplemental retirement savings programs that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Click on the link for information on 457 plan (DCP) with the Department of Retirement Systems.

To enroll in an eligible 403(b) plan, employees must consult with their own financial planner that is an approved vendor.

Equal Opportunity Employer

North Thurston School District 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. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator and Title IX Officer: View email address on click.appcast.io, View phone number on click.appcast.io; Section 504 Coordinator at View phone number on click.appcast.io, View email address on click.appcast.io Address for both: 305 College St. NE. Lacey, WA 98516.

Important Information

Effective June 11, 1992, pursuant to Public Law 92544 all new employees must complete a satisfactory fingerprint and sexual misconduct background check. All employment is