Job Title:School Van Driver (McKinney-Vento)

Reports To: Assistant Superintendent of Operations & Technology 

Location: Varies depending upon daily schedule

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Work Year: Ten months (school year) on student days only

Days/Hours: Days and hours of work will vary from week to week according to student needs from 0 to 4 hours/day.

Union Affiliation: Non-Affiliated

Hourly Wage: $23.00/hour

SUMMARY:

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate school van driver to transport homeless students to and from schools, shelters, and other essential locations. The ideal candidate should possess a valid driver's license, a clean driving record, and a strong commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of the students under their care. This position requires patience, empathy, and the ability to adapt to the unique needs of homeless students.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Note: These duties and responsibilities are judged to be "essential functions" in terms of the Americans With Disabilities Act or ADA. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The statements below are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by a person in this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed by such a person. Other duties may be assigned.

• Safely transports homeless students to and from schools, shelters, and community locations as directed.
• Assist pupils as they enter and leave the van, and will assist in loading and unloading wheelchair pupils and their belongings.
• Ensures students remain seated with seat belts securely fastened when the vehicle is in motion.
• Remains alert to any conditions in the loading and unloading area which present a danger to students.
• Communicates effectively with students, families, school staff, and the general public.
• Shows empathy and understanding towards the unique challenges faced by homeless students.
• Ability to maintain composure and perform responsibilities under pressure and in cases of accidents or other emergencies.
• If an emergency exists on the van and help is required, ability to use radio or cellular phone to contact immediate supervisor, first responders if necessary.
• Arrives at assigned location ready to pick up or drop off students at the stated times. 
• Maintains vehicle safety and cleanliness. 
• Cleans interior of assigned van, vacuums floors, wipes down seats and cleans windows as needed. Complete these tasks during non-student driving times (waiting for pupils, fueling van, etc.).
• Informs supervisor of any vehicle alerts such as check engine, change oil, etc.
• Follow all stated District rules, procedures and policies.
• Communicates appropriately with students, parents, staff and the general public.
• Uses discretion regarding confidential information.
• Ability to work a flexible workday and work week.
• Knowledge of local areas and resources.
• Possesses a friendly and approachable personality that lends itself to positively work with students, parents, staff and the general public.
• Maintains regular in-person attendance.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Valid Michigan driver's license.
• Clean driving record.
• Background check.
• Ability to pass a physical examination and a drug test.
• Punctuality and excellent attendance record. 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must have a High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Previous driving experience is preferred but not required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of all traffic laws, regulations, road signs and related information.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Effective organizational, problem solving, and time management skills.
• Ability to learn and comprehend information from procedures manuals and other materials.
• Ability to comprehend and follow traffic signs required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to drive a motor vehicle, sit, stoop, reach, stand, walk, lift, pull, push, grasp, talk, hear, see, and use repetitive motions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may frequently lift and/or move at least fifty (50) pounds of materials such as backpacks, wheelchairs and other items accompanying students in the van. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, such as to read the vehicle panel, handwritten or typed material such as directions, and the ability to frequently adjust focus and determine distance and speed of other moving objects. The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the general public.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTABILITY

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is quiet to moderate depending upon the activity in the particular part of the day. The employee is required to hear traffic sirens, horns from other motor vehicles, etc. The employee will be required to be outdoors, often in a motor vehicle, and will be subject to varying weather conditions, for purposes of accomplishing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in temperatures above 100° and below 32° and will occasionally walk on slippery surfaces. The employee must be able to meet deadlines with time constraints and interact with the public and other workers. The employee has direct responsibility for the safety and well-being of others. 

FUNCTIONS OF POSITION DESCRIPTION

This position description has been prepared to define the general duties of the position, provide examples of work, and to detail the required knowledge, skills, and ability as well as the acceptable experience and training for the position. The description is not intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the duties of employees under supervision. Howell Public Schools retains and reserves any and all rights to change, modify, amend, add to, or delete from any portion of this description in its sole judgment at any time.

This position description is not a contract for employment.

The Howell Public Schools District is a drug-free workplace and District policy requires drug testing for all potential employees. The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substances in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the District.

The Howell Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

It is the policy and commitment of the Howell Public Schools District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation or any legally protected characteristic, in its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment policies in accordance with Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and all other pertinent State and Federal regulations.