Bus Driver - IDEA Rio Grande City (Immediate Opening)

About the role

Mission: The Bus Driver is responsible for transporting students over scheduled routes to and from a variety of school sites and to assure the safety of the passengers riding the school bus. Employees in this classification receive general supervision within a framework of standard policies and procedures. This job class is responsible for ensuring the safety of all passengers including special education students while operating the assigned bus and for ensuring the assigned bus is always in a safe operating condition.

Compensation

Hourly rate ranges between $19.00 for 0 years of experience and $23.75. This role is also eligible for a performance bonus based on team performance and goal attainment.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits plan covering the majority of the employee premium for the base medical plan and subsidizing the majority of costs for a spouse/domestic partner and children.
• Paid Family Leave: up to 8 weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, based on tenure and caregiver designation.
• Tuition Reimbursement: up to 50% of tuition paid toward a qualifying degree program, up to $5,250 per year, subject to manager discretion and budget availability.
• Employer‑Paid Mental/Behavioral Health: 5 face‑to‑face counseling sessions within a year, unlimited 24/7 telephonic counseling, and other work‑life services at no cost.
• Dental and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, generous vacation time, referral bonuses and professional development.
• Potential relocation allowance to defray moving costs, if applicable.

Qualifications

• Education: GED or High School Diploma.
• Experience: Operation of large passenger vehicles or equivalent combination of experience and training; ability to manage student behavior.
• License or Certification: Valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with class P (passenger) and S (school bus) endorsements.
• Completed bus driver safety training course.
• Must be over 21 years old.
• Pass alcohol and drug tests.
• DOT Physical Examination.

Responsibilities

• Safely transports students, driving a school bus in accordance with time schedules to homes, school sites, and field trips as assigned.
• Maintains order and proper discipline of passengers; resolves disputes and documents severe disciplinary cases.
• Conducts daily safety and operational inspection of the assigned vehicle.
• Oversees loading and unloading of students, releases students to authorized individuals, and ensures safety belts are fastened in passenger vans.
• Maintains records and reports including mileage, routing, maintenance, and time schedules.
• Notifies appropriate individuals of any delays in scheduled routes.
• Ensures CDL, medical card, and Region One credentials are up to date per DOT and IDEA policy.
• Understands and follows directions and feedback; communicates openly with campus managers.
• Accepts negative and positive feedback; self‑reflects to improve performance.
• Manages multiple tasks by prioritizing work and adapts to changing circumstances.
• Handles various tasks simultaneously within established time constraints.
• Works on an open calendar, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and a minimum of 32 hours per week (excluding extracurricular activities).
• Available to work extended hours when necessary to meet business needs.

About IDEA Public Schools

IDEA Public Schools believes each child can go to college. Since 2000, IDEA has grown from a small school with 150 students to a multi‑state network of tuition‑free, Pre‑K‑12 public charter schools, serving over 80,000 college‑bound students in 143 schools across Texas, Florida, and Ohio. The organization holds national rankings on The Washington Post and U.S. News & World Report’s top high schools lists, and aims to send 100% of its graduates to college. Employees join an IDEA Team and Family that values mission‑driven work, high standards of conduct, professionalism, and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging.