Bus Operator

Bus Operator Plaquemines Parish School Board Transportation – Belle Chasse, Louisiana. Job Description SALARY RANGE: SINGLE ROUTE – $27,837‑$42,552; DOUBLE ROUTE – $29,229‑$44,679. Ad Valorem: 2.40 parish property (ad valorem) tax mills are dedicated to employee salaries. The annual receipts from this tax are distributed to employees twice a year, one-half in January and one-half in June. The amount of each employee's supplement is the employee's salary multiplied by the annual percentage (computed each year based on actual tax revenues). Job Goal: To provide safe, reliable and efficient transportation for students by operating a school bus in compliance with district policies, state and federal regulations and safety standards. The Bus Operator ensures the well‑being of students during transit, maintains a disciplined and orderly bus environment, conducts pre‑trip and post‑trip inspections and communicates effectively with school staff, parents and transportation personnel to support the district’s educational mission. Qualifications Required High school diploma or GED®. Completion of a Louisiana School Bus Driver Certification Program as required by state law. Valid Louisiana Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Bus Operator Endorsements. Must meet all local, state and federal licensing requirements and regulations for operating a school bus and automobile. Must pass and be subject to drug tests as required by federal and state law and the School Board’s policies regarding drug testing, operating school‑owned vehicles, transporting students and all applicable policies. Must complete and pass a physical examination performed by a duly licensed physician. Strong understanding of defensive driving techniques and emergency procedures. Effective communication and interpersonal skills to interact professionally with students, parents, school staff and the public. Ability to manage student behavior on the bus in accordance with school district policies. Capacity to maintain confidentiality and professionalism in handling student‑related matters. Basic record‑keeping skills to maintain daily logs, mileage reports and incident documentation. Pass a pre‑employment background check, drug test and physical examination per state and district requirements. Preferred Minimum of one (1) year of experience as a commercial or school Bus Operator. Experience working with children and school transportation operations. Familiarity with basic vehicle maintenance and the ability to conduct pre‑trip and post‑trip inspections in compliance with state and district requirements. Working knowledge of Google Workspace. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Technical Duties and Operations Operates school buses and district vehicles in accordance with local, state and federal traffic laws and school district policies to safely transport students and personnel. Conducts pre‑operation and post‑operation inspections of vehicle interiors, exteriors and mechanical systems (equipped with instruments, safety devices, fuel, engine oil, coolant) to ensure safety, sanitation and compliance with federal, state and local regulations, while keeping the assigned bus clean, organized and hazard‑free. Adheres to assigned schedules to ensure timely and efficient transportation services while maintaining compliance with operational requirements. Assists students and other passengers with safe loading and unloading during regular transport (while staying in the operator’s seat) and emergency situations, ensuring adherence to authorized stops and transporting only authorized students to maintain safety and compliance. Handles emergency situations such as vehicle breakdowns, accidents or medical incidents by following established district and safety protocols. Demonstrates responsible leadership during out‑of‑district school trips, ensuring student safety, compliance with guidelines and effective trip management. Completes and submits daily logs, mileage reports, student attendance records and incident reports as required by district policies. As required for special‑education routes, assists the Bus Aide if needed in emergency situations. Communication and Teamwork Fosters positive working relationships by collaborating effectively with supervisors, co‑workers and school administration. Maintains professional and courteous communication with students, parents, school staff and transportation personnel regarding route changes, delays or safety concerns. Reports mechanical issues and needed repairs promptly to the transportation department to support efficient maintenance and operational continuity. Reports emergencies, breakdowns, delays and accidents promptly to the Transportation Coordinator or designee, ensuring appropriate responses to safeguard passengers and completing all required accident reports accurately and timely. Compliance Adheres to school, district, state and federal regulations for vehicle maintenance and safety inspections. Complies with all traffic laws to maintain safe and lawful operation of the vehicle. Enforces regulations prohibiting smoking and eating on the bus. Prepares detailed reports (e.g., field trip reports, incident reports, inspection records, passenger misconduct, mileage logs, student counts, routing information) to document activities and ensure compliance. Safety and Security Adheres to safety guidelines, secures the bus to maintain a hazard‑free environment and remains in full control of the vehicle at all times. Monitors students and other passengers during transit to ensure their safety and compliance with transportation guidelines. Supervises Bus Aides during the loading and unloading of passengers, ensuring proper handling of wheelchairs, ramps, safety devices, car seats, lap belts, T‑straps and other equipment. Assesses incidents, complaints, accidents and potential emergency situations and recommends appropriate actions to ensure passenger safety. Advices students and passengers on appropriate behavior to reinforce safety guidelines, maintains discipline on the bus and reports misconduct to the appropriate authority as needed. Professional Development Attends mandatory safety meetings, in‑service training and certification courses to remain compliant with school district and state transportation regulations. Additional Responsibilities Performs other job‑related duties as assigned to meet the needs of the department. Contributes to district‑wide projects and collaborates with other departments on cross‑functional goals. Maintains a valid driver’s license and a clear driving record, follows all district policies and state regulations for safe vehicle operation, reports any incidents affecting driving ability immediately to supervisor, and ensures proper care, maintenance and responsible use of district vehicles if required. Physical Demands This role primarily operates in an indoor, climate‑controlled environment, with occasional exposure to moderate temperature variations. Tasks require moderate lifting (up to 50 pounds), carrying, pushing and pulling, and activities such as standing, walking and sitting. Additional physical requirements include prolonged sitting, repetitive hand and arm movements, stair climbing, driving within or outside the district to schools, meetings and events, working in varying conditions (inclement weather, wet or slippery floors, cleaning chemicals), handling changes in temperature and noise levels, and sustaining high levels of physical and mental energy throughout the workday. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Equal Opportunity Employer The Plaquemines Parish School System is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion or any other legally protected status in its educational programs, activities or employment practices. The district is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect. #J-18808-Ljbffr