Overview

Under the supervision of the Lead Bus Driver, this position is responsible for ensuring the safe and efficient transport of children and parents/families between program activities, home and on field trips. This position is also responsible for keeping the vehicle clean and in safe operating conditions.

Key Areas of Responsibility on the Bus

Training

• Participates in an annual review which includes onboard observation of road performance by a State Certified School Bus Instructor.
• Attends a combination of annual classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel instruction sufficient to enable:
  1. Safe and efficient vehicle operation.
  2. Safely run a fixed route, including loading and unloading children, stopping at railroad crossings and performing other specialized driving maneuvers.
  3. Basic first aid administration in case of injury.
  4. Emergency situations procedures including vehicle evacuation.
  5. Special equipment operation such as wheelchair lifts, assistance devices or special occupant restraints.
  6. Determination of necessary records and their accurate maintenance. ​
• Participates in any additional training to meet State or local transportation requirements.
• After being trained in Centro 's Transportation Manual, the Bus Driver collaborates with the Bus Aide in teaching children the correct safety procedures for boarding and exiting a bus as well as the danger zones around the vehicle.

Driving the Route

• Assists the bus aide to ensure the safety and well-being of children by providing direct supervision.
• Follows the safest and most efficient assigned route as determined by the Lead Bus Driver along with the Transportation, Facilities & Safety Manager, and Are Manager.
• Ensures routes stay within 60 minutes unless there are no shorter alternatives. Focuses on having stops instead of door-to-door pick-ups.
• Knows the routes, location of stops, and which children should board or exit at each stop.
• Maintains route schedule. Disseminates a route schedule to the parents informing them of stop places and times.
• Obeys all applicable laws and regulations to ensure the safety of passengers. This includes applicable Head Start Performance Standards.
• Ensures children are properly restrained before starting the bus engine in the afternoon and that all passengers follow the program rules when riding the vehicles.
• Ensures that children are released only to authorized individuals listed on the child’s Contact Information Form.
• Ensures the safe loading and unloading of children at all times as explained in Centro’s Transportation Manual.
• Ensures that the bus is empty at the end of each run and that all children are accounted for as outlined in Centro’s Transportation Manual, strictly follows the protocol for using pigtails to ensure no child is left alone.
• Drives for regular class days, organized field trips, and occasional evening meetings.
• Establishes a relationship of trust and confidence with the parents and children.
• Shares information on a daily basis with classroom staff, such as conversations with parents and observations of children.
• Reports any information or concerns about Head Start/Early Head Start families to the family services staff or teacher.
• Communicates and coordinates with the Family Service Specialist when there is no authorized person that shows up to pick-up a child in the afternoon.
• Ensures the Bus Aide uses the company cell phone to communicate and contact parents or center at any time.
• Follows all Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) rules, and other local transportation regulations as applicable.
• Operates the vehicle in a safe and efficient manner.
• Completes daily Pre-Trip and Post-Trip inspections as outlined in Centro’s Transportation Manual and turn it in weekly to the Lead Bus Driver.
• Performs monthly emergency bus evacuation drills in accordance with Centro’s Transportation Manual.
• Knows how to operate special equipment such as wheelchair lifts, assistance devices, and special occupant restraints.

Vehicle Maintenance

• Monitors and maintains all vehicle fluid levels as outlined in Centro’s Transportation Manual. ​
• Keep the interior of the vehicles clean at all times.
• Clean the exterior of the vehicles as weather allows.
• Maintain required paperwork for vehicle maintenance and program requirements.
• Reports any damage or malfunction immediately to the Lead Bus Driver.
• Performs daily Pre-Trip and Post-Trip checklist of the bus, including maintenance of emergency supplies on the bus and communication system between the bus and the program as outlined in Centro’s Transportation Manual.
• Responsible for recording and submitting gas and oil receipt totals to the Lead Bus Driver monthly. Follows up on charges that do not reconcile.
• Maintains necessary transportation records as outlined in Centro’s Transportation Manual.

Other Duties

• Supports center level parent nights by offering transportation or other assistance when assigned.
• Performs daily playground health and safety checklist when assigned by the Lead Bus Driver.

Qualifications

The minimum requirement is high school diploma or GED and a current in-state Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with a School Bus and Passenger endorsement and/or other criteria specifically required by the state. Has CPR/First Aid Certification. Bilingual preferred English/Spanish.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Time spent driving on public roads in changing weather conditions.
• Requires driving in all weather conditions including rain, snow, ice, wind, heat, etc.
• Must be able to assist in changing tires and make other minor repairs as necessary.
• May be required to lift up to 55 pounds.
• Noise level in work environment may be moderate to loud.
• Some evenings and weekend work may occasionally be required for events such as home visits, parent-teacher conferences, Parent Committee meetings, social and community events. Must be able to exit rear emergency door and any other emergency exits of bus without assistance and to assist others in exiting the bus.

Competencies

Success in this position requires competence in the following areas:

• Computer literacy
• Professionalism
• Reliability
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Attention to detail
• Observation and documentation skills
• Enthusiasm
• Cultural competence
• Initiative
• Responsibility
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Flexibility
• Problem Solving