Bus Driver in Training

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Keeps assigned time schedules, which may require driving during pre-daylight 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 regulations.
• 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 required.
• 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 and meetings.
• 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.
• Hears and communicates orally when the bus is in motion; communicates orally on a two-way radio with transportation dispatch and emergency services while the bus is in motion.
• Communicates effectively and positively with parents, students, staff and co-workers.
• Models nondiscriminatory practices in all duties.

Other Duties

• Keeps the assigned bus clean and in good working order.
• Maintains an assigned seating chart.
• Reports all safety violations to include co-workers/personnel suspected of drinking alcohol or under the influence of drugs (to include over-the-counter drugs) while working.
• Performs any other related duties as assigned by the Area Transportation Supervisor or other appropriate administrator.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must possess a high school diploma or GED.
• Must possess a valid commercial driver’s license to operate a school bus or must acquire one prior to the completion of the division’s classroom training course.
• Must possess basic first aid and CPR certification or must acquire such prior to the completion of the division’s classroom training course.
• Must possess an excellent driving record in compliance with division standards, excellent driving skills, and must successfully complete the school division’s bus driver training course.
• Must possess a good knowledge of procedures and federal/state laws governing the safe operation of a school bus prior to the completion of the division’s training course.
• Must possess knowledge of, or the ability to accurately and quickly learn, local street and road systems.
• Must possess knowledge of, or the ability to accurately and quickly learn, how to properly secure a wheelchair, car seat, and other restraining devices on a school bus.
• Must possess the ability to maintain student discipline and ensure that student behavior is not a distraction to safe driving.
• Must possess the ability to recognize and report any unsafe act or condition.
• Must remain in compliance with state/division regulations regarding the use of controlled substances and alcohol as applied to school bus drivers.
• Must meet the mandated physical and mental requirements established by the state and the US Department of Transportation.
• Must be capable of working independently and possess the ability to understand and follow through on oral and written instructions.
• Must possess the ability to communicate effectively and positively with students, parents, and faculty.