Location:
Transportation Greater Albany Public Schools
Special Needs Bus Driver
SALARY LEVEL: $19.53 - $21.96
CLASSIFICATION: Classified
SHIFT: Varies, Part-time Permanent
CATEGORY: Transportation
LOCATION: Transportation Department
REPORTS TO: Transportation Supervisor
Summary: Drives District busses to safely transport Special Education students between homes and schools, or as assigned.
Examples of Duties:

• Drive special education route school busses as prescribed by assigned route, time schedule and specified bus stops. Determine whether to wait for student's guardian when not at arranged meeting place/time, affecting the timing of subsequent stops, or to make another attempt at a later time to deliver the student.
• May operate wheelchair lift, tie-down, and seat belts to load and unload students.
• Coordinate with assigned Bus Assistants to initiate and administer discipline and reward systems to control student passenger behavior. Assign seating and train students in safe riding practices, street crossing, and emergency evacuation procedures.
• Perform pre-trip inspection of bus brakes, tires, emergency exits, lights, instruments, emergency equipment, and general operability; maintain interior cleanliness of bus.
• Complete required reports of odometer readings, bus malfunctions, student conduct, and trips.
• Attend and participate in required classroom training programs, departmental meetings and planning sessions.
• Drive busses for special excursions as assigned.
• Communicate problems to District supervisory, routing and maintenance personnel or school administrators as necessary. Operate two-way radio.
• May be required to drive regular routes as scheduling and/or relief driving requirements dictate.
• Perform related work as required.

Senior Driving Assignments:
Drive busses for field trips, athletic events, and other out-of-town special excursions as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of the operation and capabilities of District busses and bus equipment.
• Ability to drive safely under pressure of time constraints, student misbehavior, hazardous road conditions, and traffic demands. Punctuality and ability to pace activity to meet prescribed schedules.
• Knowledge of behavioral management techniques applicable to special education students who may have severe animosity or physical disability and who require individual attention.
• Ability to represent the District's objectives of courtesy and responsibility to the public.
• Ability to remain available for evening or weekend meetings driving assignments.

Senior Driving Assignments:
Demonstrated ability to drive all District busses safely in a variety of conditions, including snow and mountain terrain, coupled with demonstration of appropriate judgment in out-of-town situations.
Minimum Qualifications for Class Entry:

• Possession of a valid State of Oregon Bus Driver's license
• Successful completion of core classes, training in first-aid, a physical examination, and faultless driving record.

Work Environment:
Incumbents work split shifts. Senior driving assignments may require driving evenings, outside District boundaries or during snowstorms or other hazardous road conditions. Incumbents may be exposed to risk of accident, exhaust fumes, and noise of passengers or bus equipment. The work environment characteristics described here 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.
Physical Requirements:

• Physical capability of lifting up to fifty (50) pounds.
• Mental and physical capabilities to adhere to OSHA and GAPS safety requirements and to complete the duties of the job as required.
• Able to pass the following skills in accordance with OAR 581-53-006 which requires Oregon School Bus.

Drivers to be able to demonstrate said specific physical skills:
1. Open and close a manually operated bus entrance door with a force of at least 30 pounds.
2. Climb and descent steps with a maximum step height of 17.5 inches.
3. Operate two hand controls simultaneously and quickly.
4. Have a reaction time of 3/4ths of a second or less from the throttle to the brake control (timed).
5. Carry or drag a 125 pound person 30 feet in 30 seconds or less (timed).
6. Depress a brake pedal with the foot to a pressure of at least 90 pounds.
7. Exit from an emergency door opening of 24 X 48 inches, at least 42 inches from the ground in 10 seconds or less (timed).