Description

Deadline to apply: May 21, 2024

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Driver is responsible for ensuring the safe and efficient transport of children and parent/families between program activities and home and on field trips and helping to keep the vehicle clean and in safe operating conditions at all times.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Knowledgeable of the rules and regulations related to the Department of Transportation and Commercial Driver’s Licenses as well as Maryland state and local driving regulations, and safe driving practices.
• Knowledge of basic vehicular maintenance in order to assist with preventive and routine maintenance of bus fleet.
• Possess the physical, emotional, and mental ability to drive a vehicle full of children in a safe and pleasant manner.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to pass pre-employment and random drug and alcohol screenings. Must maintain a current Commercial Driver’s License and meet all state requirements applicable to vehicle being driven.
• Ability to organize time efficiently and accept responsibility, at times with limited supervision.
• Ability to periodically work flexible hours to include some evenings and weekends.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Follows the safest and most efficient routes possible given the location of children and center, as determined by the Transportation Coordinator.
• Obeys all applicable laws and regulations to ensure the safety of passengers.
• Maintains route schedule.
• Establishes a relationship of trust and rapport with the parents and the children.
• Ensures the parents and children follow the program rules when riding the vehicles.
• Share 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 families to the family services staff or teacher.
• Communicates and coordinates with staff when a parent is not home or there are problems with transportation.
• Knows the routes, location of stops, and which children should board/exit at each.
• Ensures that children are released only to authorized individuals.
• Administer basic first aid or CPR in an emergency.
• Perform emergency situations procedures including vehicle evacuation.
• Monitors and maintains all vehicle fluid levels.
• Keeps the interior of the vehicle clean at all times.
• Cleans the exterior of the vehicle as weather allows.
• Maintains required paperwork as program requirements.
• Reports any damage or malfunction immediately to the Transportation Coordinator.
• Performs daily safety checklist of the bus, including maintenance of fire safety supplies on the bus and communication system between buses and the program.
• Responsible for gas and oil receipts and recording and submitting totals to Transportation Coordinator.
• Collaborates with the Bus Monitor in teaching children the correct safety procedures for boarding and exiting a bus as well as danger zones around the vehicle.
• Maintains necessary transportation records.
• Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start children, families, and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

Qualifications:

• The minimum requirement is a high school diploma or GED.
• A MD Commercial Driver’s License.
• Passenger endorsement
• School Bus endorsement
• Current DOT physical
• Have a valid violation free driving record
• Possess basic mechanical knowledge in order to handle routine maintenance, identify problems and decide best solution.
• Possess be knowledgeable of area streets and locations.
• Possess knowledge of rules and regulations related to Department of Transportation and Commercial Driver’s Licenses and well as state and local driving regulations.
• Possess knowledge of local resources, languages and customs helpful. Knowledge of safe driving practices and danger zones around vehicle.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to work well with staff, children and parents.
• Ability to organize time efficiently and accept responsibility, at times with limited supervision.
• Must have the physical, emotional and mental ability to drive a vehicle full of children in a safe and pleasant manner.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to pass pre-employment and random drug and alcohol screenings. Must maintain current Commercial Driver’s License and meet all state requirements applicable to vehicle being driven.