Bus Driver (Substitute)

The Position

Basic Function: Under the direction of the Director of Transportation, operate and maintain school buses to transport regular education and special education students safely and efficiently to an assigned location using a designated route; perform regular safety inspections; prepare a variety of records and reports related to assigned activities.

Employment Standards

Minimum Qualifications: Education: Graduation from high school. Experience: Sufficient training and experience to demonstrate the knowledge and abilities listed below. Licenses and Other Requirements: Valid California Class A or B commercial driver's license with passenger and air brake endorsements. Valid unrestricted California Special Driver Certificate for school bus operation or transit school bus with automatic transmission. Current California Highway Patrol approved First Aid Certificate. Must be, and remain, insurable under the District's vehicle driver's insurance policy at the standard rate. Clean driving record at time of employment; Applicants for this classification will be required to obtain and submit, at his/her own expense, his/her current motor vehicle driving record (DMV K-4 printout) at the time of appointment. The record must meet and be maintained at the District's safe driving standard. Failure to meet any requirements will result in the disqualification of the applicant regardless of any other standing. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of (Typically learned through formal training or education): Safe and defensive driving practices. Proper operations of school buses. Applicable traffic and student transportation laws, codes and regulations. Basic first aid procedures. Basic record-keeping and report preparation techniques. Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy. Health and safety regulations. Oral and written communication skills. Skill to (Typically attained through formal training or practice): Drive a school bus safely and efficiently. Learn and apply District policies and procedures related to student discipline. Maintain a safe discipline level among passengers. Observe legal and defensive driving practices. Learn and follow designated routes. Maintain bus in clean and proper working condition. Conduct safety inspections and perform routine preventive maintenance. Administer first aid. Maintain routine records. Operate a two-way radio. Ability to (Typically a personal quality attained without formal training, education, or practice): Understand and follow oral and written directions. Communicate effectively with others. Meet schedules and time lines. Handle situations with tact and diplomacy.

Physical Demands: Employees in this classification stand, sit, walk, lift and carry up to 50 lbs or more with assistance, carry stoop, bend repeatedly, use fingers, wrists or hands repetitively, use both hands and legs simultaneously, push, pull, maintain balance, stoop/bend, kneel, reach over head, have rapid mental/muscular coordination, speak clearly, hear normal voice conversation, have depth perception, have color vision/distinguish shades, see small details and for long distances, operate mobile motorized equipment, drive a vehicle and use a two-way radio.

Work Environment: Employees in this classification work outside and inside, in changing temperatures to over 90°. May be exposed to severe contagious illnesses/diseases, heights, loud noises, fumes, dust, chemicals, odors or toxic materials, and electrical hazards. Employees work in direct contact with the public, students, and other District staff without guidance from supervisor; some assignments may require use of restraint procedures due to the nature and severity of the disabilities and/or assaultive or self abusive tendencies of pupils, may complete routes within tight deadlines and continuously changing priorities and interruptions; may work with moving vehicles and motorized wheelchair lifts and equipment.

Examples of Duties

Note: The task statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this classification, and are not to be interpreted as an exhaustive list of responsibilities. Specialized Essential Duties (Typically only performed in this classification): Drives a school bus along a designated route; Picks up and discharge regular education and special education students in accordance with time schedules. Stops traffic and escorts students across streets as necessary. Observes legal and defensive driving practices; Assures compliance with applicable traffic and student transportation laws, codes and regulations; Maintains order and discipline among passengers on the bus and while waiting at bus stops in accordance with District policies related to disciplining students. Prepares related logs and reports as necessary; Transports students, faculty and parents on field trips or other events; Meets scheduled departure and arrival times as assigned. Assists handicapped students to board, sit in and leave the bus safely; Assists students in wheelchairs by loading and securing chairs before departure and assuring students are safely fastened into their seats; Utilizes wheelchair lifts and tie-downs. Conducts required daily safety inspections of buses, inspecting the interior, exterior and engine of the vehicles; Checks fluid levels; Reports major mechanical malfunctions or other problems as required; Maintains related records; Maintains bus in a clean and safe operating condition; Washes, sweeps and cleans buses; Refuels, services and prepares vehicle for operation; Maintains mileage, load and time records as required; Orders parts in accordance with established guidelines; Determines appropriate action in potential or real medical emergency situations according to established guidelines; Administers first aid to passengers as needed. Utilizes two-way radios for bus to bus and bus to base communications. Attends safety meetings and driver education and safety programs as directed; General Essential Duties (Also performed in other classifications): Participates in a variety of extra duty assignments at the yard as necessary; inform dispatcher of routes in need of updating or revising as necessary. Performs related duties as assigned. The classification specification does not describe all duties performed by all incumbents within the class. This summary provides examples of typical tasks performed in this classification.