Substitute School Bus Driver

JOB SUMMARY: The job of a Bus Driver is to provide support within the student transportation services area with specific responsibilities for transporting students over scheduled routes and/or special excursions; ensuring vehicle operation is in a safe operating condition; and ensuring the safety of students during transport, loading, and unloading from buses.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Must have 5 years’ experience driving a passenger vehicle and must possess: a high school diploma or GED Certificate; valid Washington State driver’s license; Commercial Driver’s License and Washington State School Bus Authorization (training available from the district); obtain and continue to retain a Medical Examiner's Certificate by completing a DOT physical examination initially and renew as required. The candidate’s Washington State School Bus Driver Authorization must be on file before the first day of driving, and his/her driving record (all jurisdictions) must be clear of suspended or revoked license within the last three years and clear of DUI or negligent driving for the last five years. All candidates accepted as trainees must submit to, and satisfactorily pass, a federally mandated pre-employment drug test and are subject to random drug testing during employment. Complete Washington State Patrol and FBI investigation.

Meet all continuing requirements for holding a School Bus Driver Authorization, including a review of the 5-year abstract of your driver record.

DISQUALIFYING CONDITIONS:

• Have your driving privileges revoked or suspended as a result of a moving violation or having your commercial driver's license disqualified, suspended, or revoked within the preceding 5 years.

• Having 3 or more speeding tickets or other serious motor vehicle violations, including any alcohol-related offenses within the preceding 5 years.

• Having refused a drug or alcohol test or had a positive drug or alcohol test.

• There are many other disqualifying conditions listed in WAC 392-144-103, primarily dealing with the convictions for various crimes.

CERTIFICATION: Current Standard First Aid certification by an approved provider is required at the time of hire and is responsible for keeping current during employment.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES (may oversee, perform, and/or assist with):

• Observes and obeys state, local, OSPI, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and school district laws and regulations, rules, policies, and procedures related to safe driving and safe pupil transportation; conducts bus fire drills and emergency evacuation drills for student safety.

• Must be physically able to maneuver and control a school bus under all driving conditions, and use all hand or foot-operated controls and equipment.

• Performs pre-trip and post-trip safety inspections of an assigned bus; checks oil, water, fuel, and other fluid levels; checks lights, buzzers, tires, belts, brakes, and other safety equipment; takes corrective action as appropriate to ensure a safe bus operation; reports needs for bus maintenance or repair as necessary.

• Perform necessary roadside emergency services.

• Transport pupils (including students with special needs) to and from school on assigned vehicles and routes and assist students in loading and unloading the school bus as needed.

• Maintains effective communication with students, parents, school staff and administrators, dispatchers, mechanics, other drivers, and the public for safety and community relations. Promotes a positive environment for student learning.

• Operate radio communications equipment; when required, install safety and restraining devices to secure pupils and/or their wheelchairs and operate vehicle wheelchair lifts.

• Maintain vehicle interior and exterior cleanliness and re-fuel before reaching the one-half tank.

• Hold and maintain all required licenses and certificates (WA State CDL, First aid card, DOT Commercial Driver Fitness Determination medical certificate, WA State School Bus Driver’s Authorization).

• Possesses knowledge of and adheres to governing policies and District regulations and procedures.

• Attend and complete all training courses as required by the Superintendent of Public Instruction and/or the school district.

• Supervises and corrects student behavior in and around school bus for student safety; models safe and appropriate behavior; maintains student discipline on the bus; instructs students in safe and responsible behavior on the bus.

• Accurately and legibly complete forms, records, time sheets, time off requests, daily vehicle/mileage logs, trip tickets, accident and incident reports, and other documentation or reports as required.

• Prepare work orders on the mechanical needs or problems of the bus or its operating system, and utilize computer software to enter work orders.

• Report to work on time and maintain good attendance.

• Complete annual school bus driver in-service training.

• Check emails and driver/aide boxes on workdays to obtain pertinent communication.

• May serve on various district committees and/or departmental work teams. Models appropriate and cooperative behavior, including protecting confidential information, consistent with district ethical guidelines.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Requires substantial concentration in various traffic and road conditions to remain alert and responsive despite student distractions; requires decisiveness and good judgment in emergencies; may occasionally deal with distraught or difficult individuals. Steering, clutching, and braking a school bus requires strong physical condition; prolonged sitting; exposure to high noise levels from engines and students; exposure to road and traffic hazards; required to service buses and drive in inclement weather. Passage of a pre-employment physical/testing is required for this position. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions; moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. Continual sitting, reaching, and repetitive hand and arm motions. The employee must talk and hear; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms. Frequent walking, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, and pulling. Moderate lifting and/or carrying up to 50 lbs or more. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus during the hours of daylight and darkness. Bus driving positions are generally part-time with varying hours according to pupil transportation requirements and often require split shifts.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge: of the district, Board of Education, OSPI, state, and federal laws, policies, procedures, and activities pertinent to the duties of this position. Knowledge of vehicle operations, basic maintenance requirements, driving codes, and two-way radios.

Skills: oral and written communication skills, to navigate computers, pertinent software, and email applications.

Skills to operate wheelchair lifts, ramps, and securement locks. Skills for working with school-age children in difficult circumstances. Communicate effectively with individuals from varied educational and cultural backgrounds, evaluate schedules, and meet deadlines.

Ability: to sit for prolonged periods, understand and carry out oral and written instructions, work independently, make common sense decisions in potentially critical situations, understand and address students with special needs, and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, parents, and /or district personnel. Ability to display courtesy, tact, and respect when dealing with students and adults. Ability to assist students with patience and understanding. Ability to use independent judgment and demonstrate initiative without being asked. Ability to adapt to a variety of working situations and learn new skills. Ability to follow directions yet exercise independent and appropriate judgment.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $28.62 per hour

Expected hours: 8 – 32 per week

Work Location: In person

Salary : $29