School Bus Driver #29

About the role

Transport students, including those designated as Special Needs, safely from designated bus stops and/or school/therapy sites while operating a van or bus with a capacity up to ninety-one (91) passengers; and perform related duties as assigned.

Supervision received and exercised

• Receive general supervision from the Director of Transportation and/or the Transportation Operations and Vehicle Maintenance Supervisor(s).
• Receive technical guidance from the School Bus Driver Instructor(s)/Delegated Behind the Wheel Trainers.
• Receive assignments and routes from Operations Supervisors School Bus Driver Specialist(s).
• May provide guidance to other adults aboard bus.

Examples of duties

• Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Essential Duties
• Transport students from designated bus stops to schools and/or activities to meet the student needs and assist with other routes when breakdowns or other unusual circumstances occur, as assigned.
• May lift students, and assist students into and out of bus as needed; escort students across streets when necessary.
• May operate a mechanized wheelchair and/or lift to load, unload and ensure security of students and equipment.
• Adhere to all Transportation Department and District policy.
• Comply with all California and Federal Rules and Regulations regarding School Bus and Commercial Drivers.
• Execute legally mandated daily pre-trip inspection.
• Maintain and complete accurate pre-trip inspection records.
• Report discrepancies and initiate corrective action.
• Establish and maintain behavioral order among students, encouraging proper student conduct at all times; issue and complete necessary behavior citation paper work, communicate with parents and/or administrators regarding student behavior, occasionally attend parent conferences/IEP meetings.
• Inform and instruct all students regarding rules and regulations of riding the bus/van and evacuation procedure.
• Communicate professionally with all district staff, co-workers, and parents.
• Communicate to maintenance and dispatch personnel regarding route or equipment problems; follow special instructions from dispatch personnel and Supervisors pertaining to students and their daily schedule.
• Submit reports of vehicle condition, route time and mileage, student ridership, maintenance needs, time keeping, and abnormal occurrences as required.
• Maintain accurate route cards kept in dispatch at all times.
• Maintain cleanliness of interior/exterior of bus(es) on a daily basis.
• Ensure familiarity with assigned activities and/or field trips/CBI trips before transporting students utilizing the safest and most efficient route while meeting time schedules for departure and arrival.
• Maintain regular and prompt attendance in the work place.
• Maintain a professional appearance; wearing district identification badges at all times while on/in school district property.
• Periodically participate in mandated meetings and in service programs during traditional and non traditional work days and work hours as required.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of: Applicable provisions of the California Vehicle Code, California Education Code, and Board Policy as they apply to transporting all students
• Defensive driving practices and procedures
• Local geography and roadways systems
• Basic first aid
• Laws and regulations governing student transportation
• Ability to: Safely operate a school bus in all types of weather
• Resolve conflict and maintain discipline among students
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• Read and interpret maps, schedules and procedural instructions
• Rapidly learn routes and operation of equipment related to duties
• Possess the physical capabilities to sufficiently perform job duties
• Utilize interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy
• Perform basic first aid

Experience and Education

• Any combination of training, experience, and/or education equivalent to: Graduation from high school
• Six (6) months of experience involving the regular operation of a school bus for special needs students is desirable.
• Experience working with special needs students is preferred.

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession of a valid California Class B Driver License with a Passenger and “S” endorsement
• Possession of an unrestricted California School Bus Driver Certificate (with the exception of “automatic” restriction)
• Valid Medical Certificate
• Valid First Aid if applicable

Working Conditions

• Regular exposure to noise, gasses, fumes, dust and drafts, etc. when vehicle is in operation
• Regular exposure to elements such as rain, high or low temperatures

Physical Requirements

• Sit for prolonged periods of time
• Stand and walk for short periods of time
• Occasional bending/stooping; squatting/crouching
• Occasional reaching overhead, above/below shoulders and horizontally
• Occasional pushing/pulling, lifting and maneuvering objects such as wheelchairs with students with a broad range of body weights
• Frequent bend/twist neck to adequately monitor students and traffic conditions
• Lift and/or support/drag up to 150 pounds for short periods of time
• Climb 3 feet of steps into/out of the bus
• Requires continuous use of hands, arms, feet, and legs to push/pull or activate essential controls (pedals, levers and knobs) in recurring operational motions
• Requires a range of simple grasping to firm grasping in order to seize, hold, grasp, turn or otherwise work with hands to turn the steering wheel, shift gears and/or manipulate mechanical levers and controls; as well as to position students in their car seats and/or infant seats; to fasten car/infant seat harnesses and/or belts; to secure students to their wheelchairs or car seats; and to secure the wheelchairs or car seats to the bus
• Hear with or without assistive devices sufficient to hear students, receive communications on radio and hear outside noises sirens, horns, brakes, etc. that are necessary to operate bus safely
• Speak with or without assistive devices sufficiently, professionally and politely to give instructions/commands to students, speak professionally and politely to parents and other staff
• Visual acuity with or without assistive devices sufficient to pass driving test, read signs, road hazards and to be able to operate bus safely in reduced visibility conditions
• Hazards: Exposure to blood-borne pathogens and bodily fluids; exposure to students/parents being physically aggressive and non-compliant

Board of Education Approval

7/10/2012 7/13/2012 MB