Hmong American Partnership (HAP) is a social service and community development organization whose mission is to empower the community to embrace the strengths of our cultures while achieving our potential. HAP accomplishes its mission by:

• Improving the lives of individuals and families in our diverse communities by providing culturally sensitive social services.
• Strengthening neighborhoods by providing housing, community, and economic development opportunities.
• Promoting the rich heritage of our ethnic communities.

HAP's vision is to reach out to the world with profound social, economic, and educational transformation.

The school bus driver is responsible for safely transporting children and ensuring their health, safety, and welfare. The school bus driver is expected to guarantee bus cleanliness and assure the vehicle is in working condition at all times.

Position Responsibilities

Driver Expectations:

• Safely transport children to and from school and on field trips.
• Operate the school bus safely and appropriately at all times to minimize the risk of injury, property damage, or loss of life.
• Ensure that the school bus or van is in good operating condition at all times.
• Complete a thorough inspection of the bus before every trip. Accurately and thoroughly complete a daily pre-trip inspection form that is signed and dated and submitted to the office staff that identifies any needed repairs or maintenance.
• Complete a thorough inspection of the bus after every trip to ensure no child is left behind on the bus before continuing onto the next routes or ending of shift.
• Maintain fuel level at a half tank to keep the vehicle at maximum efficiency and usage.
• Perform minor maintenance duties and clean the bus as scheduled; including upkeep to remain free of debris by sweeping, dusting, and cleaning windows.
• Attend and participate in all meetings and pieces of training.

Transporting Students:

• Arrive on time for all assigned routes and complete the route as specified on your route sheet.
• Pick up and drop off school children according to your schedule; follow safe bus loading and unloading procedures.
• Maintain order and security on the bus, and obey all laws, regulations, rules of conduct, and HAP's policies and procedures.
• Do not deviate from your route. All changes must be communicated to and approved by the Office Team beforehand.
• Make a note of any behavioral or disciplinary problems or other incidents; upon returning to base, complete and submit a Student Incident Report, allowing the office team to follow up with the school and resolve any ongoing issues.
• In case of an accident or incident, ensure all handling and reporting procedures are followed, and the report is completed and submitted immediately upon returning to base.
• Adhere to uniform code. All drivers must wear a safety vest/badge while on duty.

Communication:

• Communicates with courtesy, respect, honesty, confidentiality, and professionalism to allstaff, children, parents, school administrators, and public members.
• Must exhibit professional communication at all times on the radio and in person.
• Ensure that the two-way radio is in proper working order before each trip.
• Handle complaints about schedules and levels, and quality of service politely and professionally.
• Communicate all issues and problems to Transportation Manager as soon as possible and complete the necessary paperwork.

Strong Team Player:

• Contributes to the overall effectiveness of HAP in fulfilling its mission and objectives.
• Maintain a close working relationship with the Transportation Manager, Dispatcher, office staff, and other drivers.
• Other duties as needed to accomplish program goals and outcomes to support the organization's mission and plans.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Maintain satisfactory motor vehicle and criminal background records to pass routine checks.
• Remain compliant with state and federal regulations regarding the use of controlled substances and alcohol as applied to school bus drivers and must agree to submit to random drug testing when selected.
• Driving violations must be reported to Transportation Manager within ten days of the incident.
• Duties are performed on a school bus; Must be able to move through the bus physically.
• Must be physically able to perform and demonstrate emergency evacuation procedures; have the physical ability to use emergency exits at any location on the bus
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment, flexible and adaptable to high-pressure situations.
• Knowledge of the Hmong, Southeast Asian, and or immigrant and refugee cultures and traditions.
• Bilingual is highly desired in English, Hmong, Karen/Karenni, and or Burmese.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.
• Ability to read and speak basic English and comprehend and follow traffic signs as required.
• The capability of working independently and possess the ability to understand and follow through on oral and written instructions.
• Effective organizational, problem-solving, and time management skills.
• Knowledge of, or the ability to quickly and accurately learn, local street signs and road systems.
• The ability to recognize and report any unsafe act or condition.
• The ability to maintain discipline and ensure that student behavior is not a distraction to safe driving.
• The ability to perform responsibilities while remaining calm under pressure in an accident or other emergencies.
• Remain knowledgeable and comply with all policies, processes, and procedures; Driver Safety Manual, school policies, processes, procedures, and school licensing requirements.

Education and Experience

• A high school diploma or GED is required.
• A Class B CDL Driver's License with passenger and school bus endorsements.
• Must obtain, keep current, and submit proof of required DOT medical certification.
• School Bus Driver experience is preferred.

Essential Functions

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; use foot controls to drive; reach with hands and arms; climb, bend, stoop, kneel, talk or hear.
• Must possess manual dexterity sufficient to operate the bus, perform pre-trip inspections, and clean the bus.
• Duties are performed on a school bus; the employee is frequently exposed to loud noise levels, fumes or airborne particles, noxious odors, vibrations from driving a bus, and traffic.
• The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions with high and low-temperature extremes.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for sustained periods of time in an indoor setting.
• Ability to tolerate moderate noise levels (i.e., shared open office space with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).
• Must have access to reliable transportation with current and valid insurance.
• Occasional pushing/pulling and lifting up to 50 pounds.
• This job's specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, night/dusk vision, color vision, and peripheral vision.
• Visual and auditory acuity within professionally determined normal ranges, with correction if needed.
Frequent interactions with coworkers, students, parents, and faculty require communicating positively and adequately.

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  Benefits

All full-time (30 hours per week) Hmong American Partnership (HAP) employees enjoy:

• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, STD, LTD, Accident & Critical Illness, Sick Time, 401K, and more!
• Career Development: Training & Professional Development Opportunities!

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by the person assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, activities, and skills required for the position. Management retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.