Bus Driver

School Bus Driver

This position is responsible for the transportation of students and other authorized persons to and from school, field trips, extra-curricular and/or special activity trips as authorized by school district officials.

Essential Functions

1. Drive a school bus to transport students safely to and from school; transport students safely to and from field trips and other special events. Operate school bus under all types of weather conditions including but not limited to fog, rain, hail, sleet, snow and ice.
2. Operate a school bus in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington and policies promulgated by the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Operate all hand and foot controls installed in a school bus as required by Washington State School Bus Specifications.
3. Inspect and clean school bus and related equipment as required by the state and school district policy; refuel in accordance with department procedure or as otherwise needed.
4. Maintain control of student passengers as related to safety. Report unsafe acts or conditions which require the attention of any person other than the driver. Administer discipline policies and procedures as appropriate.
5. Maintain a positive atmosphere on the school bus. Be a role model for students and interact positively with them.
6. Complete forms, records and reports as required by the state or local school district policies accurately and legibly. Maintain and update route maps.
7. Utilize two-way radio to communicate with the transportation office as necessary.
8. Perform required operational and safety inspections of the school bus and all related equipment. Report immediately any mechanical defects and safety hazards to the Director, Coordinator or Lead Mechanic.
9. Establish and maintain effective positive relationships with staff, students and community groups.

Other Functions

1. Perform basic first aid as appropriate which may include CPR.
2. Attend transportation in-service meetings and training as necessary.
3. May serve on various district committees and/or departmental work teams.
4. Perform related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

Reporting Relationships

• Reports to the Transportation Director or designee.

Mental Demands

• Required to deal with a wide range of student, staff and public behaviors and needs in a positive and service oriented manner.
• May experience shifts in work schedule according to district transportation needs.
• May occasionally deal with distraught or difficult students or parents.

Physical Demands

• Required to sit for prolonged periods of time.
• Must be able to bend, stoop, and kneel as necessary to secure wheel chairs on the bus.
• Must be able to assist students getting on and off the bus.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• High School diploma or GED.
• Class B CDL with passenger endorsement. Paid training is available through the school district.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Knowledge/awareness of own cultural identity and how this influences behavior, and desire to learn about the cultural identity of others.
• Ability to establish and nurture an environment that promotes cultural competence and equitable treatment of staff, students, and patrons of the district.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, and parents.
• Must be flexible to constantly changing routes, pick up and drop off times and locations and other issues as they arise.
• Possess the desire to be a role model for students and to interact positively with students.
• Knowledge of operation of emergency school bus equipment and accessories including but not limited to two-way radio, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, highway warning kit, snow chains, etc.
• Knowledge of safety and security procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the public.

Licenses/Special Requirements

• Possess a valid First Aid card including CPR.
• Must comply with drug and alcohol testing requirements as mandated by federal and state law.
• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age.
• Requires fingerprinting and background check to determine that there have been no convictions involving physical molestation, abuse, injury or neglect of a minor.
• Must complete Walla Walla Public Schools Risk Management and Bloodborne Pathogens Training upon hire.

Terms of Employment

Bus Driver on the PSE Classified Salary Schedule A. Hours per day TBD and 190 days per year. Paid training available.

Conditions

The preceding list of essential functions is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.