School Bus Assistant - SUBSTITUTE

About the Role

This position assists Special Education Bus Drivers with the transportation of students to and from school bus stops, extracurricular activities, planned events, and school facilities. The role focuses on ensuring the safety and well-being of students, particularly those with special needs, during transit.

Responsibilities

• Maintains optimum safety on board the school bus, adhering to established safety precautions and driving procedures.
• Assists students on and off the school bus, including buckling seat belts and providing sensitive assistance to riders with special needs.
• Facilitates the safety of all passengers and assists bus operators with wheelchair tie-downs and lifts.
• Attends to the needs of special needs students during transportation, including managing oxygen tasks, tubing, wheelchairs, and braces.
• Identifies and responds to health emergencies, providing life-sustaining procedures as needed.
• Assists the bus operator with route navigation and student accounting.
• Instructs children in safety precautions and practices, including conducting emergency evacuation drills.
• Maintains discipline on the bus and reports unruly behavior to school administrators.
• Signals children when to cross streets or highways and ensures their safety before bus departure.
• Assists in maintaining school bus cleanliness and sanitation.
• Prepares daily logs and reports of transportation activities.
• Gathers and handles property left behind on the bus.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Ability to perform the physical and mental requirements of the work, including all applicable certifications.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Current First Aid Certificate.
• Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certificate.
• Must have a driver’s license for a minimum of 5 years.

DOT Disqualifiers

• DUI, DWI, or BUI convictions.
• Leaving the scene of an accident.
• Reckless driving.
• More than 8 points due to traffic violations in the last 5 years.
• Cannot be insulin-dependent for diabetes.
• Cannot have a heart implant.
• Cannot have seizures or epilepsy.

Skills

• Knowledge of occupational hazards and standard safety precautions.
• Knowledge of District School Board policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of record-keeping principles and practices.
• Knowledge of safety principles, practices, and equipment related to the work.
• Knowledge of First Aid and CPR procedures.
• Techniques for dealing with children, parents, and various transportation-related situations.
• Knowledge of medical and mechanical equipment used by disabled students.
• Ability to use a two-way radio.
• Ability to read and understand road signs.
• Ability to maintain order and discipline on a school bus with a capacity of 16 or more students.
• Knowledge of the operation of special needs bus equipment.
• Ability to think clearly and take effective action in emergency situations.
• Ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
• Ability to control students, give orders, and gain compliance.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with parents and those contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to coordinate with school and professional staff regarding the specialized needs of each student.
• Ability to deal effectively with disabled and/or special needs individuals and others requiring special assistance.

Physical Demands

While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Travel on a school bus or other vehicle.
• Assist special needs and/or disabled students in loading and unloading.
• Lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Read printed materials and communicate in person and over a radio.
• Perform physical tasks including climbing, balancing, crouching, grasping, handling, hearing, mental acuity, speaking, standing, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

Working Conditions

Employees in this position work in a safe and secure environment that may periodically have unpredicted requirements or demands.