Bus Driver Chatham Center for Innovation

About the Role

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

Work involves performing pre- and post-trip inspections, operating the bus in compliance with traffic laws and safety regulations, maintaining student discipline, and completing required reports. The role requires tact and courtesy in interactions with parents, guardians, and school personnel.

Responsibilities

• Performs pre-trip and post-trip inspections of the bus and documents findings as required.
• Reports mechanical defects or failures to the appropriate supervisor or mechanic; performs inspections on substitute buses if the assigned bus is unfit for service.
• Detects and reports students who may remain on the bus after a trip (e.g., asleep or incapacitated) and identifies any irregularities or vandalism.
• Operates the school bus on assigned routes and schedules provided by the Zone Transportation Supervisor.
• Reports any changes to student ridership (additions or deletions) that affect routes, stops, or schedules.
• Obeys all traffic laws and school bus regulations while operating the bus.
• Observes all safety regulations, including evacuating students quickly in emergencies.
• Maintains a copy of the Handbook for the School Bus Driver and the Safety Assistant for reference.
• Establishes and enforces a discipline plan consistent with school objectives, reporting undisciplined students to the principal.
• Discharges students only at authorized school or bus stop locations and transports only authorized students.
• Keeps the bus clean and free of items that may pose safety hazards.
• Reports all accidents as required and remains at the scene until released by a supervisor.
• Completes time cards and required reports, including accident or incident reports.
• Remains in charge of students during accidents, assessing injuries and ensuring passenger safety.
• Secures the bus at the end of a run, including parking properly, inspecting for damage or remaining passengers, and securing windows and doors.
• Maintains positive relationships with parents, guardians, 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 position.
  • Exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 25 pounds frequently, and 10 pounds constantly.
• Ability to:
  • Compare and judge characteristics of data, people, or objects.
  • Communicate effectively with students, parents, and school personnel.
  • Read and prepare reports, correspondence, and instructions.
  • Apply common sense to follow written, oral, or diagrammatic instructions.
  • Record and deliver information, explain procedures, and follow instructions.
  • Utilize basic mathematical formulas and perform addition/subtraction.
  • Inspect items for proper length, width, and shape.
  • 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 to situations involving distressed individuals.
  • Communicate clearly (speaking and hearing) and distinguish warning sounds (horns, sirens, alarms).li>

Skills

• Considerable knowledge of safe and efficient school bus operation practices.
• 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 detect mechanical defects or failures.
• Ability to maintain student discipline and a clean bus.
• Ability to complete required reports accurately.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative in work situations.
• Ability to interact tactfully and courteously with parents, guardians, 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).