Bus Driver/Bus Monitor

EOA Head Start/Early Head Start Bus Driver/Monitor

Job Description

Job Title: Bus Driver/Bus Monitor Last Update: 2026

Reports To: Center Manager/Facilities/Maintenance/Transportation Manager Drug Free Work Place

Position Purpose

To provide safe bus transportation for Head Start children, assuring that each child is picked up and delivered on schedule. Ensure that children are only released to a parent, legal guardian, or other authorized individuals. Cooperate with staff and families to promote the health and education of each child.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Driving & Safety

• Transport children to and from Head Start centers efficiently and safely.
• Ensure that all passengers wear seat belts.
• Ensure that behavioral issues do not compromise the safety of any child on the bus.
• Perform daily sign-on & sign-off procedures, accounting by name all children getting on and off the bus.
• Ensure that each child is delivered to the care of a responsible adult upon leaving the bus (on the authorized list).
• Ensure that no child is ever left unattended while on the bus, following all procedures put in place to prevent a child from being left behind.
• Visually observe the health of each child on the bus.
• Use reason and judgment to operate the Head Start/Early Head vehicle in a safe, prompt, and pleasant manner.

Maintenance

1. Perform a complete visual safety check of each bus driven daily, completing daily pre- and post-trip checklists (and all required paperwork regarding vehicle operations/maintenance).

• Keep the interior of the bus clean daily, and the bus exterior as needed.
• Report any needed repairs and deliver the bus to the repair site.
• Record mileage and gas.

Other Job Responsibilities

• Pick up and deliver supplies as needed.
• Work at the reception desk.
• Perform general cleaning and maintenance.
• Work in classrooms with staff and students.
• Perform other duties as requested.

All communications are potentially sensitive and are subject to Head Start's policy on confidentiality.

Minimum Requirements/Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Twenty-one (21) years of age or older.
• Valid Commercial Driver's License (required for continued employment) and driving record free of any moving violations within the last three years.
• Strong knowledge of traffic rules.
• Strong knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards.
• Working knowledge of the behaviors and developmental stages of pre-school children.
• Knowledge of safety practices as they relate to pre-school children.
• Good written and oral communication skills and basic math skills.
• Ability to maintain the bus schedule.
• CPR/First Aid certified at time of hire or achieve certification within 30 days from the date of hire.
• Must have a Class B Commercial Driver's License.
• Must pass drug screening.

· Must have a clear Criminal Background Check.

· Must pass the Department of Transportation Physical Examination, as well as program program-required agility criteria.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Physical capability, strength, and coordination adequate to drive a 20-passenger and up bus.
• Ability to visually assess the health and behaviors of children.
• Intermediate level decisions needed to adhere to safety and scheduling considerations.
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs, typically placing children into seats, and the ability to carry a child in an emergency situation from the bus to a safe area (a minimum of 20 feet).

· Ability to maneuver from the driver’s seat to the passenger area to conduct emergency evacuation procedures.

· Ability to perform basic tasks related to the operation and evacuation of a school bus, such as the ability to kneel, step up and down, scooting from the emergency exit door, and assist children in entering and exiting the bus.

· Demonstrate ability to perform fine motor skills and repetitive motion abilities as listed. Ability to open and close passenger entrance door, operate motor vehicle switches, use peripheral vision to scan the field of vision, as well as all mirrors, buckle and unbuckle all restraint devices associated with this vehicle.

• Frequent bending at the neck, frequent bending at the waist and knees, and occasional squatting.
• Ability to climb to enter and exit the bus.
• Daily sitting, driving time.

Position information

· 9 months

· 26 pay periods per year

• Position: Non-Exempt

Pay: $17.42 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $17