Transportation

School Bus Driver - Permanent and Substitute

Position is responsible for operating a school bus and transporting school-aged children and other authorized personnel safely and efficiently over specified routes to and from schools and various activities. Position conducts pre-trip inspections; observes safety regulations and policies; enforces student discipline on the bus; and performs related work.

Essential Duties

• Communicates with the dispatcher or Area Transportation Supervisor for any changes in normal duties or new student passengers, including communicating orally while the bus is in motion when needed.
• Ensures the bus can be operated safely before driving and conducts pre-trip safety inspections as required by federal and state laws to include observing visual defects and checking operating systems to include brakes, horn, lights, emergency flashers, extended stop arms, and door-opening devices.
• Operates the vehicle safely over an assigned route, picking up and delivering only authorized students at assigned bus stops, and watches to ensure that no one hurrying for the bus is left behind.
• Keeps assigned time schedules, which may require driving during pre-day light and dusk periods, and makes every effort to be on time while ensuring safety.
• Obeys all traffic laws and transportation practices as outlined in the CDL manual, Bus Driver Handbook, School Board Policy and local ordinances.
• Observes all mandatory safety regulations for school buses and keeps all emergency exits clear of obstructions.
• Secures wheelchairs, car seats, and other restraining devices on the bus as needed.
• Maintains student discipline on the bus and enforces rules governing student conduct, including through oral communication when the bus is in motion.
• Reports undisciplined students to the proper authority and compiles written reports as requested in accordance with the bus driver handbook and the Student's Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.
• Conducts semi-annual bus evacuation drills as required by the Department of Education and implements evacuations as required in an emergency to include safely exiting from the rear of the school bus.
• Reports all accidents immediately, requesting police or ambulance service as needed; assists injured persons until services arrive; and completes required accident reports.
• Notifies the proper authority in cases of mechanical failure, safety deficiencies, when off schedule, or other incidents.
• Regulates heating, cooling, and ventilating equipment provided on the bus for the comfort of passengers.
• Drives students and teachers on field trips, extracurricular activities, and other special events, often in evenings and at night, as assigned.
• Exercises responsible leadership and appropriate behavior when on out-of-division school trips.
• Returns the bus to the assigned bus lot, performs a final inspection, and secures the bus according to procedures.
• Participates in all required training.
• Submits to drug testing when required.
• Maintains a commercial driver's license as required by the State Department of Transportation and maintains Red Cross First Aid/CPR certification.
• Hear and communicate orally when the bus is in motion. Communicate orally on a two-way radio with transportation dispatch and emergency services while the bus is in motion. Communicate effectively and positively with parents, students, staff and co-workers.
• Models nondiscriminatory practices in all activities.

Qualifications

• Must be able to communicate effectively and in a positive manner with students, parents and other school staff
• Must be physically able to perform the tasks of the job including lifting students and equipment
• Training provided for acquisition of proper CDL license (B,P,S) including Air Brake Endorsement
• Must be 21 years of age
• Must have excellent driving record
• Starting hourly pay $21.00 per hour - permanent / $20.00/hr - substitute ($15.00/hour for training)

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to loud noise levels; fumes or airborne particles; noxious odors; vibrations from driving a bus; and traffic. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; use foot controls to drive; reach with hands and arms; climb; bend, stoop, and kneel; and talk and hear. The employee must be physically able to perform and demonstrate emergency evacuation procedures. The employee must be able to communicate orally and hear on a two-way radio with transportation dispatch and emergency services while the bus is in motion. Employee must be able to communicate effectively and positively with parents, students, staff and co-workers. This includes the pushing/pulling of up to 50 pounds. In addition, have the ability to use emergency exits at any location on the bus. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, night/dusk vision, color vision, and peripheral vision. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is loud.