School Bus Driver - Direct Hire

School Bus Driver

KIPP Miami is seeking reliable and safety-minded School Bus Drivers to provide efficient, caring transportation for our students. This part-time position is based at our North Miami Campus and follows an anticipated split-shift schedule of Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri: 6:30 AM – 8:00 AM & 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM, Wednesdays: 6:30 AM – 8:00 AM & 12:45 PM – 2:30 PM, plus opportunities for additional field trip and extracurricular routes.

• Student Transportation & Safety:

• Safely operate a school bus in accordance with all state, federal, and district regulations.
• Conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections to ensure the bus is operating safely and properly maintained.
• Follow established routes and schedules while maintaining safe driving speeds and conditions.
• Ensure the safe loading, unloading, and seating of all students, including those with disabilities or mobility needs.
• Respond calmly and effectively to emergency situations, including bus evacuations or student medical needs.

• Operational Excellence:

• Maintain accurate records such as daily logs, incident reports, and inspection documentation.
• Report vehicle defects, student incidents, or schedule issues promptly to the Transportation Coordinator.
• Participate in ongoing safety meetings and training sessions.
• Maintain cleanliness and general upkeep of the bus interior and exterior.

• Community and Professionalism:

• Model professionalism, punctuality, and a student-centered attitude at all times.
• Communicate respectfully and effectively with students, families, and staff.
• Uphold KIPP Miami’s commitment to equity, inclusiveness, and joyful learning environments.
• Participate in professional development opportunities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Required:

• At least one (1) year of professional school bus or commercial driving experience.
• A High School Diploma or GED.
• A valid Florida Commercial Driver License (CDL) with Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements.
• Completion of FDOE School Bus Driver Training Program (40 hours minimum).
• A Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination.
• Drug and alcohol screening per Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations.
• Fingerprinting and Level II background clearance.
• A satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) with no major violations in the past three years.

• Preferred:

• Familiarity with charter school operations or urban education environments.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish or English/Creole) strongly preferred.

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to manage student behavior calmly and positively using restorative and respectful strategies.
• Willingness to work flexible hours as needed for field trips and extracurricular activities.
• Safety‑First Mindset: Prioritize safety above all, ensuring every child’s well‑being on the road.
• Heartbeat Aligned: Live out KIPP Miami’s Heartbeat Principles by showing empathy, consistency, and reliability in all student interactions.
• Professionalism & Pride: Maintain your vehicle and appearance to the highest standards and represent KIPP Miami with excellence.
• Team Player: Collaborate with staff and families to provide dependable transportation that supports our school mission.

Physical Requirements

• Maintain alertness and physical readiness to ensure the safety and supervision of students during transport.

Environmental Conditions

• Work outdoors in variable weather conditions (heat, rain, humidity).
• Tolerate moderate to high noise levels.
• Remain alert and focused for extended periods.

Compliance Requirements

• Maintain DOT medical certification and CDL endorsements.
• Comply with drug and alcohol testing requirements.

Additional Information

The hourly rate for this role is $18 - $24, commensurate with experience. Our organization is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion, national origin, citizen status, marital status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Our organization will make a reasonable accommodation to known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the organization. No questions on this application are asked for any unlawful purpose.