Special Needs Suburban Route Driver

Job Title: Special Needs Suburban Route Driver (2 positions)

Exemption Status/Test: Nonexempt

Reports to: Transportation/Facilities Director

Date Revised: June2025

Dept./School: Transportation

Primary Purpose:

Operate school bus and related equipment to provide safe and orderly transportation of students with disabilities and other authorized persons on assigned route and to and from other designated locations.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

Clear and valid Texas driver's license

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Must be 18 years of age

Ability to pass U.S. Department of Transportation alcohol and drug tests and annual physical exam

Ability to complete required bus driver safety training

Ability to follow written and verbal instructions

Proficient map reading skills

Ability to manage student behavior

Ability to communicate effectively with others

Experience:

None

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Vehicle Operation

• Drive vehicle daily following assigned route and adhering to established schedules.
• Drive vehicle to and from extracurricular activities.
• Anticipate problems such as traffic, weather, road conditions, and schedule changes and make necessary adjustments to ensure student safety and reduce delays.
• Perform pre- and post-trip inspections according to specifications to ensure vehicle can be operated safely and notify supervisor of needed repairs. Keep assigned vehicle clean and maintain appropriate level of fuel.
• Report all accidents, vehicle damage, student injuries, and mechanical problems and complete required corresponding reports.

Student Management

• Help students with disabilities get in and out of vehicle according to their individual needs and supervise students as they board and leave vehicle and cross street.
• Instruct students on safe entering, exiting, and passenger rules and regulations.
• Learn and adapt to each student's special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs.
• Maintain discipline and use effective behavior management control over groups of students. Report student discipline problems to appropriate administrator and communicate with teachers and parents regarding student's behavior when warranted.
• Perform emergency evacuation of students on vehicle when the situation warrants.

Safety

• Observe all traffic laws and safety regulations for school vehicles.
• Ensure proper condition of emergency equipment, such as first aid kit, fire extinguisher, flags, fuses, crowbar, and reflector.
• Correct unsafe conditions in work area and promptly report conditions that are not immediately correctable to supervisor. Report any hazardous conditions along scheduled route.
• Maintain safety certification.
• Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.

Other

• Operate and monitor two-way radio equipment to communicate with transportation office and other drivers.
• Complete and maintain accurate, up-to-date, and timely records and reports including but not limited to those related to vehicle mileage, gas and oil consumption, and number of passengers transported.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Tools/Equipment Used: Operate school bus; two-way radio; global positioning system (GPS); safety equipment including but not limited to flares, reflective signs, and fire extinguisher

Posture: Prolonged sitting; frequent standing and twisting; occasional kneeling/squatting, bending, stooping, and pushing/pulling

Motion: Prolonged driving; moderate walking; frequent climbing stairs, grasping/squeezing, wrist and shoulder flexion/extension, and reaching

Lifting: Limited light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds) on a daily basis

Environment: Frequent exposure to extreme hot and cold temperatures, noise, and vehicle fumes; work around moving vehicles; regularly work irregular hours, and occasionally work prolonged hours

Mental Demands: Maintain emotional control under stress