What are the responsibilities and job description for the School Bus Assistant (2026-2027 school year) position at Federal Way Public Schools?
SUBSTITUTE BUS ASSISTANT
Once your application is complete or if you have questions about becoming a bus driver, please call or email Melanie at (253) 945-5943 or memiles@fwps.org.
POSITION SUMMARY: The position of School Bus Assistant will assist the bus driver in the safe transportation of students of all ages, including those who have severe physical and mental disabilities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. Some incumbents may not perform all the duties listed while in other cases related duties may also be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Required Qualifications
Education and Experience
High school diploma or equivalent
Additional Requirements
Work scheduled hours on a consistent basis
Must be 21 years of age
Condition Of Employment
Criminal background clearance
Completion of SECURE training
Possess current CPR and First Aid card
Possess a valid Washington State Driver's License
[Pass a post hire, pre-employment physical assessment test] if needed
Knowledge Of
School board policies and procedures
Ability To
Work with students with special emotional, academic and social needs
Interact positively with a wide-range of temperaments and personalities
Communicate effectively with parents, staff, and the public in a multicultural and multiracial community, both verbally and in writing
Model safe and appropriate behavior
Attend to detail and follow tasks through to completion
Organize work, problem solve and select action plans
Remain flexible to changes in assignments or situations
Comply with school board policies and follow administrative procedures
Use a two-way radio, as necessary
Provide support and promote positive morale with District Transportation personnel
Function in a calm, courteous manner in a variety of stressful situations
Meet job responsibilities and be willing to continue professional growth to meet job responsibilities
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES RELATED TO CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND EQUITY:
Knowledge/awareness of own cultural identity and how this influences behavior, and desire to learn about the cultural identity of others.
Ability to establish and nurture an environment that promotes cultural competence and equitable treatment of staff, students, and patrons of the District.
Ability to understand and hold self and others accountable for promoting the Federal Way Public Schools' commitment to "Each Scholar: A Voice. A Dream. A Bright Future."
Ability to recognize that each person is a unique individual even as we celebrate their group cultural heritage.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will constantly stand and walk, bend neck and back, use hands for repetitive grasping and pushing/pulling. The employee is frequently required to squat, kneel, and use hands for fine manipulation. The employee will occasionally be required to sit, climb stairs/ladder, lift and reach overhead, crawl, and lift/carry. The employee must constantly lift/carry up to 10 pounds and must frequently lift /carry up to 20 pounds. The employee will occasionally lift/carry a maximum of 50 lbs. The employee is occasionally required to push/pull a maximum weight of 10 pounds. Anything over the weight limits should be done as a two-person lift or with a mechanical lift.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outdoor conditions. The employee occasionally may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee is required to properly wear any personal protection equipment supplied by the District.
Must be able to work flexible hours with split shifts. Must have the ability to maintain a safe bus environment while monitoring student activity. May have exposure to inclement weather, including but not limited to, snow, rain, fog, ice, sun and extreme heat and cold. Requirements also include, but are not limited to, sitting; standing; walking; bending, stooping, squatting, driving; carrying; lifting; hearing; speaking; writing; keyboarding; and exposure to angry, frustrated, or aggressive individuals.
WORK SCHEDULE
This position typically works Monday through Friday, 180 days a year.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
Position reports to the Dispatcher, Assistant Director of Transportation and Director of Transportation
REPRESENTATION
Public School Employees Union (PSE) SEIU Local 1948
This position includes the following benefits prorated based on FTE Medical, dental and vision, sick leave, life insurance and retirement.
Level Of Compensation
Transportation Department on the PSE Salary Schedule. this position includes the following benefits prorated based on FTE - Medical, dental vision, sick and vacation leave, life insurance and retirement.
CLASSIFICATION HISTORY
Update 07/2015
Disclaimer
The preceding list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the scope of responsibility and the level of knowledge and skills typically required, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements, skills or duties so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed.
All employment open positions are made available on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or veteran status.
Job descriptions are written as a representative list of the ADA essential duties performed by the entire classification. They cannot include, and are not intended to include, every possible activity and task performed by every specific employee.
Once your application is complete or if you have questions about becoming a bus driver, please call or email Melanie at (253) 945-5943 or memiles@fwps.org.
POSITION SUMMARY: The position of School Bus Assistant will assist the bus driver in the safe transportation of students of all ages, including those who have severe physical and mental disabilities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. Some incumbents may not perform all the duties listed while in other cases related duties may also be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Supervises and corrects student behavior in and around school bus for student safety
- Instructs students in safe and responsible behavior on the bus
- Maintain control of student passengers as related to safety, per District Guidelines
- Know and apply necessary procedures to assist medically fragile students
- Assist students loading and unloading from the school bus, as needed
- Operate wheelchair lift and secure wheelchair for safe transportation
- Report unsafe acts or conditions to driver or supervisor
- Practice effective safety and security within individual work routines
- Follow District pupil management policies and procedures
- Assist with evacuating students in an emergency situation
Required Qualifications
Education and Experience
High school diploma or equivalent
Additional Requirements
Work scheduled hours on a consistent basis
Must be 21 years of age
Condition Of Employment
Criminal background clearance
Completion of SECURE training
Possess current CPR and First Aid card
Possess a valid Washington State Driver's License
[Pass a post hire, pre-employment physical assessment test] if needed
Knowledge Of
School board policies and procedures
Ability To
Work with students with special emotional, academic and social needs
Interact positively with a wide-range of temperaments and personalities
Communicate effectively with parents, staff, and the public in a multicultural and multiracial community, both verbally and in writing
Model safe and appropriate behavior
Attend to detail and follow tasks through to completion
Organize work, problem solve and select action plans
Remain flexible to changes in assignments or situations
Comply with school board policies and follow administrative procedures
Use a two-way radio, as necessary
Provide support and promote positive morale with District Transportation personnel
Function in a calm, courteous manner in a variety of stressful situations
Meet job responsibilities and be willing to continue professional growth to meet job responsibilities
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES RELATED TO CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND EQUITY:
Knowledge/awareness of own cultural identity and how this influences behavior, and desire to learn about the cultural identity of others.
Ability to establish and nurture an environment that promotes cultural competence and equitable treatment of staff, students, and patrons of the District.
Ability to understand and hold self and others accountable for promoting the Federal Way Public Schools' commitment to "Each Scholar: A Voice. A Dream. A Bright Future."
Ability to recognize that each person is a unique individual even as we celebrate their group cultural heritage.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will constantly stand and walk, bend neck and back, use hands for repetitive grasping and pushing/pulling. The employee is frequently required to squat, kneel, and use hands for fine manipulation. The employee will occasionally be required to sit, climb stairs/ladder, lift and reach overhead, crawl, and lift/carry. The employee must constantly lift/carry up to 10 pounds and must frequently lift /carry up to 20 pounds. The employee will occasionally lift/carry a maximum of 50 lbs. The employee is occasionally required to push/pull a maximum weight of 10 pounds. Anything over the weight limits should be done as a two-person lift or with a mechanical lift.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outdoor conditions. The employee occasionally may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee is required to properly wear any personal protection equipment supplied by the District.
Must be able to work flexible hours with split shifts. Must have the ability to maintain a safe bus environment while monitoring student activity. May have exposure to inclement weather, including but not limited to, snow, rain, fog, ice, sun and extreme heat and cold. Requirements also include, but are not limited to, sitting; standing; walking; bending, stooping, squatting, driving; carrying; lifting; hearing; speaking; writing; keyboarding; and exposure to angry, frustrated, or aggressive individuals.
WORK SCHEDULE
This position typically works Monday through Friday, 180 days a year.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
Position reports to the Dispatcher, Assistant Director of Transportation and Director of Transportation
REPRESENTATION
Public School Employees Union (PSE) SEIU Local 1948
This position includes the following benefits prorated based on FTE Medical, dental and vision, sick leave, life insurance and retirement.
Level Of Compensation
Transportation Department on the PSE Salary Schedule. this position includes the following benefits prorated based on FTE - Medical, dental vision, sick and vacation leave, life insurance and retirement.
CLASSIFICATION HISTORY
Update 07/2015
Disclaimer
The preceding list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the scope of responsibility and the level of knowledge and skills typically required, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements, skills or duties so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed.
All employment open positions are made available on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or veteran status.
Job descriptions are written as a representative list of the ADA essential duties performed by the entire classification. They cannot include, and are not intended to include, every possible activity and task performed by every specific employee.