Bus Driver

About the role

Operates a school bus on assigned route(s) and schedule to provide safe and efficient transportation for students, ensuring they can fully participate in the school system's programs and offerings.

Responsibilities

• Performs required pre-trip and post-trip inspections and documents them as required by Transportation Department Operating Instructions for bus drivers.
• Reports mechanical defects or failures to the Zone Transportation Supervisor, Zone Routing Specialist, mechanic on-duty, or the school bus garage control center. Performs inspections on substitute buses if the assigned bus is declared unfit for service.
• Conducts post-trip inspections to detect students who may still be on board or any irregularities/vandalism to the bus interior.
• Operates the assigned school bus on designated route(s) and schedule provided by the Zone Transportation Supervisor.
• Reports any changes to student ridership (additions or deletions) to the Zone Transportation Supervisor on the day of occurrence.
• Obeys all traffic laws and school bus regulations while operating the bus.
• Observes all safety regulations and standards for school buses, including emergency evacuations.
• Maintains a copy of the Handbook for the School Bus Driver and the Safety Assistant for reference.
• Establishes and enforces a discipline plan for students, consistent with school disciplinary objectives, including reporting undisciplined students to the school principal.
• Discharges students only at authorized school or bus stop locations and transports only authorized students.
• Keeps the school bus clean and free of safety hazards (e.g., papers, bottles, food wrappers).
• Reports all accidents as required by Transportation Operating Instructions and remains at the scene until released by the on-scene transportation supervisor.
• Completes personal time cards and required reports, including accident/incident reports.
• Remains in charge of all students during an accident, assessing injuries and maintaining passenger safety.
• Secures the assigned bus before leaving the vehicle, including parking properly, inspecting for damage/passengers, and securing windows and doors.
• Maintains professional relationships with parents/guardians, students, and school personnel.
• Performs other work-related tasks as required.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience driving large vehicles; experience transporting humans preferred.
• Ability to meet physical demands:
  • Operate a school bus, including rapid braking and steering in emergencies.
  • Exit the bus through the rearmost emergency exit within 20 seconds from a seated, belted position.
  • Exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 25 pounds frequently, or 10 pounds constantly (Medium Work classification).
• Ability to:
  • Compare and judge characteristics of data, people, or objects.
  • Communicate effectively in English (oral and written) to convey instructions and prepare reports.
  • Follow written, oral, or diagrammatic instructions and handle problems with concrete variables.
  • Use basic mathematical formulas for addition/subtraction.
  • Inspect items for proper dimensions and shapes.
  • Coordinate hands, eyes, and feet rapidly and accurately (e.g., operating bus controls).
  • Handle bus equipment, knobs, and switches with minimal eye/hand/foot coordination.
  • Recognize traffic signal colors (red, green, amber).
  • Manage stress and adapt when dealing with students or parents under pressure.
  • Hear warning sounds (horns, sirens, alarms) and forced whispers at 5 feet.

Skills

• Considerable knowledge of safe and efficient school bus operation practices and procedures.
• Considerable knowledge of traffic laws and school bus regulations.
• Considerable knowledge of safety regulations and standards for school buses.
• General knowledge of Transportation Department Operating Instructions.
• Ability to inspect buses and report mechanical defects.
• Ability to maintain student discipline and a clean bus.
• Ability to complete required reports and follow instructions.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and tact in interactions with parents, students, and school personnel.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Pay

Salary ranges from $15/hour to $18/hour based on experience. An attendance incentive of $3.00 per day is provided for perfect attendance during the reporting period.

Schedule

Part-time position for ten months (school year).