SAU#7 - Bus Drivers

BUS DRIVER - JOB DESCRIPTION To be responsible for the safe and timely operation of the school bus over designated routes while transporting students to and from school or related activities. PRINCIPLE DUTIES: •To operate your vehicle in a manner so as to provide safe and timely transportation of your passengers. •To maintain safe passenger riding behavior and to report unsafe or dangerous behavior promptly. (Appendix C – Discipline Form) •To report to work free from the effect of alcohol and/or prescription or non-prescription drugs which might impair your ability to perform your duties safely. •To report to work at assigned times. •To inspect your vehicle daily prior to, following operation, and to report any mechanical defects. (appendix A – Daily Check Sheet and Maintenance) •To behave in an appropriate and professional manner when interacting with students, parents; school personnel, co-workers, supervisors, and the general public. •To abide by all Federal, State, School District, and local regulations, policies, and procedures. This includes the Handbook for the New Hampshire School Bus Driver. •To attend required safety and in-service training programs. •To complete and submit in a timely manner such reports may be required. (Appendix B) •Must carry while operating a vehicle, a valid CDL, valid school bus certificate, valid Drug and Alcohol Program card and current D.O.T. physical card Reporting Procedure: School Bus Supervisor reports student issues and route delays to the building principal. Report on all bus maintenance, route problems and other issues to the SAU Business Administrator. School Bus Drivers report: Student issues to Principal Route problems and maintenance issues to the Business Administrator QUALIFICATIONS: A school bus driver must have on file in the SAU office: •Valid Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL) with the appropriate endorsements. (Passenger and air brakes) •Good driving record as verified by their State Motor Vehicle Division and an annual review filed. •Employee background investigation includes a criminal history records check. •Must be at least twenty-one years old. •Must not have a criminal conviction record as restricted by the governing state, school district or SAU. •Physical examination, drug, and alcohol test. This may be waived if the driver can supply a copy of a D.O.T. physical or medical Examiner’s Certificate issued within 12 months and a copy of the results of a drug test administered within the last six Months. •Must demonstrate proficiency in operating a school bus or successfully complete the annual training program. •A driver must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English. DRIVER’S RESPONSIBILITES: SAFETY •The primary responsibility of a school bus driver is safety for all concerned. a.If a turnaround is deemed to be unsafe continue until you find an acceptable safe turnaround. b.If weather conditions are poor, exercise extreme caution, Reduce speed, increase following distance, etc. c.Always drive defensively. LANGUAGE •All employees are expected to use language that is generally deemed to be acceptable, appropriate and conducted in a respectable manner. USE OF HEADLIGHTS AN DFOUR-WAY FLASHERS •Headlights must always be on when the school bus is in use. •Four-way flashers: consult individual state laws for use. PRE/POST TRIP INSPECTION •State regulations and the School Districts policy require that each driver completes a pre-trip inspection of their assigned vehicle to the first run/trip of the day using that vehicle. A walk-around inspection should be conducted prior to subsequent run/trips of the day. If you change buses and this is your first trip with a bus the pre-trip inspection must be carried out by you. VEHICLE MAINTANENCE •It is each driver’s responsibility to carry out the following at a minimum: a.Sweep daily b.Wash windows, seats and floor periodically as needed. c.Follow vehicle maintenance schedule. d.Wash outside of vehicle as needed. (see maintenance schedule) e.Bring first aid kit periodically to the school nurse to restock. f.Notify the SAU immediately of any repairs that affect daily runs. g.Each driver is responsible for having all required safety equipment in the vehicle driven, such as a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, set of chock blocks, and set of reflective warning devices. h.Fueling: Each driver is responsible for ensuring that his or her vehicle is adequately fuel. No vehicle should be left with less than half a tank of fuel. i.Winter Plug-Ins: During extreme cold buses should be plugged in at night. GENERAL VEHICLE GUIDELINES: a.All emergency exits must be always kept free and operable. b.The service door must be kept closed when the vehicle is in motion. c.Standees are not permitted on a moving bus. All passengers shall remain seated until the bus stops. d.Each bus shall not exceed the maximum number of passengers as permitted; this is marked on the outside of the bus. e.No school bus should be driven at a speed greater than the posted speed limit or faster than the road; traffic or weather conditions safely permit. f.Traffic fines or penalties imposed upon an employee because of a motor vehicle moving violation are the responsibility of the employee. g.Each driver is to inspect the interior of their bus for vandalism, sleeping children and lost articles upon arrival at each school and upon completion of their run. Lost articles shall be given to the school the next day. Empty bus signs shall be posted at the end of each run and removed prior to first pickup each day. RELATIONS WITH PUBLIC: •Student Discipline: Although the driver is responsible for maintaining order on the bus, they must always remember that the type of action they may use is limited. A driver must never use corporal punishment, deny transportation, or put a child off the bus. Discipline problems that require intervention by school personnel should be reported in the appropriate form as soon as possible, but no later than one day following the incident. Employees should not discuss issues concerning passengers except with school principal and/or superintendent. •Parents/General Public: You are one of the most visible vehicles on the road. As a representative of the school district, you must deal with students, parents, and other motorists in a polite and considerate manner. Do not engage in arguments; refer disputes to the building principal and/or SAU office. Physical Requirements: •Ability to communicate with students and adults frequently •Lift to 20 – 30 lbs. regularly •Walk regularly •Sit frequently •Stand regularly •Bending and stooping regularly •Occasional movement of students by wheelchairs and other mechanical devices may be requested. •Other physical activities may be required. •Other requirements as outlined in a DOT physical