School Bus Driver

Join the NVFS Family: We are looking to hire a part-time and on-call Bus Driver to join the NVFS Early Childhood Education/Head Start Center in Arlington! At NVFS, our Head Start program ensures children and families have access to high-quality early childhood education. Transportation can be a critical barrier for families — and that’s where you come in.

As a Bus Driver, you are more than a driver. You are a trusted adult, a safety advocate, and often the first and last NVFS team member a child sees each day. Your calm presence, attentiveness, and commitment to safety help children arrive ready to learn, and families feel supported.

Why This Role Matters: Transportation is often the difference between a child participating in early education or missing out. Your role directly supports school readiness, family stability, and long-term success. When you drive for NVFS, you’re helping children arrive safely — and leave each day feeling cared for.

Benefits and Compensation: We want you to be well, have work/life flexibility, grow your career with us, and have the resources and support you need. Check out our comprehensive benefit offerings here in support of various dimensions of your wellbeing. Pay rate: $22-$28

Key Responsibilities:

Safe & Reliable Transportation

• Drive assigned routes to safely transport children (ages 3–5) to and/or from Head Start Center
• Conduct pre- and post-trip safety inspections
• Maintain bus cleanliness and monitor fuel and maintenance needs
• Comply with all Virginia school bus laws and Head Start Performance Standards
• Immediately report accidents, vehicle issues, or safety concerns
• Support traffic flow during peak arrival and dismissal times
• Complete required attendance and documentation accurately and timely
  
  

Child & Family Engagement

• Greet families warmly at pick-up and/or drop-off
• Partner with the Bus Monitor to ensure all children are safely secured and accounted for
• Escort children between the bus and classrooms
• Support children during emergencies, evacuations, and first aid situations
• Communicate concerns regarding child safety or family interactions to the Center Manager
  
  

Your Background: We understand that you may obtain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences.

• High school diploma
• Valid U.S. driver's license and Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) specific to school bus licensure
• Ability to operate a school bus in a safe and efficient manner in an urban environment
• Ability to understand directions, learn bus schedules, and respond to adjustments positively
• Experience working with children aged 3-5 years
• Oral and written fluency in English; Spanish fluency a plus but not required
• Digital and technical proficiency, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Must be able to demonstrate and live the organizational values of Communication, Integrity, Respect, Collaboration, and Accountability
  
  

Additional Requirements:

• Successful completion of background checks, drug screening, TB test, and physical attestation required upon hire
• Must clear Motor Vehicle Record check
• Must be able to lift a child up to 50 lbs
• Ability to follow the Head Start guidelines for working with children
• Ability to interpret documents such as safety rules and policy and procedures manuals
  
  

Working at Northern Virginia Family Services (NVFS) means doing work that matters every day because of the difference you will make in the lives of children and families in Northern Virginia. NVFS’ breadth, depth and scope of services offer the resources and support to ensure that everyone in need, at every stage of life, maximizes their potential and fully contributes to a thriving community. At NVFS, we value every team member’s contribution and our collective impact on our clients and the community. NVFS is an equal opportunity employer, E-Verify participant and drug-free workplace.