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First Student Bus Driver Jobs in Springfield, MA

At First Student, we're proud to offer: * Competitive salary: $65,000 - $70,000 annually ... From our school bus drivers and location managers to routers, dispatchers and fleet technician ...

... drivers, dispatchers, trainers, maintenance technicians, and location leadership to promote safe ... At First Student, we're proud to offer: * Competitive salary: $65,000 - $70,000 annually

... students with getting on and off the bus if required. • Other duties as assigned. Top Reasons to ... their first year. • Full-time staff are given 7 paid holidays off. • Full-time staff are ...

As a DATTCO School Bus Driver, you will have a vital role within your local community by helping ... Our 2,500 employees safely transport over 140,000 students to and from school every year. Learn ...

As a School Bus Driver, you will have a vital role within your local community by helping get our ... Our 2,500 employees safely transport over 140,000 students to and from school every year. Learn ...

School Bus Driver Trainee

Andover, CT · On-site

$23.50 - $30/hr

As a DATTCO School Bus Driver, you will have a vital role within your local community by helping ... Our 2,500 employees safely transport over 140,000 students to and from school every year. Learn ...

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First Student Bus Driver information

See Springfield, MA salary details

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How much do first student bus driver jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for first student bus driver in Springfield, MA is $20.99, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.78 and $24.18 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a First Student Bus Driver, and why are they important?

To thrive as a First Student Bus Driver, you need a valid commercial driver's license (CDL) with passenger and school bus endorsements, a clean driving record, and basic vehicle safety knowledge. Familiarity with vehicle inspection protocols, route navigation systems, and compliance with Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations is essential. Strong communication, patience, and situational awareness are standout soft skills for managing student behavior and ensuring safety. These skills and qualifications are crucial to provide reliable, safe transportation for students and to uphold company and legal standards.

What is the difference between First Student Bus Driver vs School Bus Driver?

AspectFirst Student Bus DriverSchool Bus Driver
CredentialsCommercial Driver's License (CDL) with passenger and school bus endorsementsCDL with passenger and school bus endorsements
Work EnvironmentSchool campuses, bus depots, routes with studentsSchool routes, student pick-up/drop-off points
Employer & IndustryFirst Student, school transportation servicesSchool districts, private transportation companies

Both First Student Bus Drivers and School Bus Drivers require a CDL with passenger endorsements and operate in similar environments. The main difference lies in branding and employer, with First Student being a large transportation provider, while School Bus Drivers may work directly for school districts or other companies. Both roles focus on student safety and reliable transportation services.

What are First Student Bus Drivers?

First Student Bus Drivers are professional drivers employed by First Student, a leading provider of school transportation services in North America. Their main responsibility is to safely transport students to and from school, field trips, and other school-related activities. They are trained to follow strict safety protocols, manage student behavior on the bus, and perform routine vehicle inspections. First Student Bus Drivers also maintain communication with school officials and parents to ensure the well-being of students during transit.

What are some common challenges First Student Bus Drivers face during their daily routes, and how are they supported?

First Student Bus Drivers often encounter challenges such as managing student behavior, adapting to varying traffic conditions, and adhering to strict schedules. They receive comprehensive training in student management and defensive driving, and have access to ongoing support from dispatchers and supervisors. The company fosters a team environment, where drivers regularly communicate with each other and staff to share tips and resolve issues. This support system helps drivers maintain safety and efficiency on their routes.
What are popular job titles related to First Student Bus Driver jobs in Springfield, MA? For First Student Bus Driver jobs in Springfield, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching First Student Bus Driver jobs in Springfield, MA look for? The top searched job categories for First Student Bus Driver jobs in Springfield, MA are:
What cities near Springfield, MA are hiring for First Student Bus Driver jobs? Cities near Springfield, MA with the most First Student Bus Driver job openings:
Infographic showing various First Student Bus Driver job openings in Springfield, MA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 21% Full Time, 76% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $43,658 per year, or $21 per hour.
Assistant Location Safety Manager

Assistant Location Safety Manager

First Student

Springfield, MA • On-site

$52K - $60K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago


First Student rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 314 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

42nd of 75 rated education support services


Job description

Now Hiring: Location Safety ManagerSpringfield, MA

Salary: $52,000 - $60,000 annually

At First Student, safety is at the heart of everything we do. As a Location Safety Manager, you'll play a vital leadership role by helping create and maintain a culture where safety comes first-for our employees, our customers, and the students we transport every day.

Supporting Springfield Public Schools, you'll have the opportunity to influence the overall safety culture of one of our operations by partnering with drivers, monitors, dispatchers, maintenance technicians, and location staff to promote safe practices, ensure regulatory compliance, and continuously improve performance.

Why Join First Student?

At First Student, we're proud to offer:

  • Competitive salary: $52,000 - $60,000 annually
  • Tremendous career advancement opportunities across more than 540 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada
  • Positive, collaborative, and rewarding work environment
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Company-paid $10,000 life insurance
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Paid holidays and paid time off
  • Comprehensive onboarding, training, and professional development
  • Employee discounts on cell phone plans, vehicles, travel, entertainment, and more through PerkSpot
  • Long-term career stability with North America's leading school transportation provider
About the Location Safety Manager Position

As the Location Safety Manager, you'll serve as the local subject matter expert for safety, regulatory compliance, and driver development. This is a highly visible leadership role where you'll work with employees across the entire location to strengthen our safety culture and ensure every employee has the tools and support to succeed.

Key Responsibilities
  • Administer the driver hiring and compliance process
  • Provide leadership, coaching, and guidance to location trainers
  • Investigate vehicle accidents, incidents, and workplace injuries
  • Determine accident preventability and complete all required documentation
  • Prepare and submit regulatory and compliance reports
  • Maintain accurate safety records and enter data into company systems
  • Conduct driver observations, road checks, and performance evaluations
  • Coach drivers and attendants on passenger management and safe driving practices
  • Supervise employees responsible for safety, hiring, and driver training
  • Analyze safety trends and recommend corrective actions
  • Partner with location leadership to foster a positive, proactive safety culture
  • Collaborate with drivers, maintenance, dispatch, and office staff to improve safety performance and operational excellence
  • Ensure compliance with all federal, state, company, and customer safety requirements
Qualifications
  • 2-3 years of transportation, safety, compliance, or related operational leadership experience
  • High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor's degree preferred
  • Working knowledge of federal and state transportation safety regulations
  • Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
  • Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
  • Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities
  • Valid driver's license and reliable personal vehicle for travel within the service area
  • Demonstrated leadership experience with the ability to coach and develop employees
Build a Safer Tomorrow

This is an excellent opportunity for someone passionate about safety and leadership to make a meaningful impact supporting Springfield Public Schools. You'll help shape the safety culture of the location while working alongside drivers, maintenance technicians, dispatchers, and office staff to ensure our students are transported safely every day.

Apply today and help lead the safety culture at First Student in Springfield, MA.

First Student is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to attract and retain a diverse workforce and are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees are valued and respected. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. First Student maintains a drug-free workplace and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.


First for a reason:

At First Student, we are a family of 60,000+ employees who take pride in safely transporting more than 5 million students and passengers to and from their destinations each day! Our family of brands include Transco, Total Transportation, Maggies Paratransit, and GVC II. Our employees are at the forefront of safety and innovation; they create and implement the most advanced training and technology the transportation industry has to offer.


In the state of Washington, all technician and driving positions, including but not limited to van drivers and any other position requiring employees to drive a company-owned vehicle, are considered safety-sensitive and are therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing, including cannabis.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. First is also committed to providing a drug-free workplace. First will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, and any other fair chance law. Philadelphia's Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance Poster is at this link or upon request https://www.phila.gov/media/20210423160847/Fair-Chance-Hiring-law-poster.pdf.

Company Description

About us
An industry leader famous for our yellow school buses and service and safety excellence, we’ve provided student transportation services to schools for over 100 years. Continually investing in the services of the future, we’re proud to be part of FirstGroup America – the largest provider of safe, reliable and sustainable surface passenger transportation services in North America.
Industry leader
We safely operate more than one third of all contracted school buses in North America.
Together our 50,000 school buses travel nearly 600 million miles per year — the equivalent of 1,200 round trips to the moon.
We operate in around 550 locations throughout 38 U.S. states and 8 Canadian provinces.
Innovation
We were the first school bus company to utilize global positioning systems (GPS), so at any one time we know where all of our buses are and how fast they’re travelling.
Passionate about safety, we’ve installed Safety Crossing Gates on the front of all of our school buses and use the Child Check-MateTM electronic reminder system to make sure no sleeping children remain inside a bus at the end of each route.
Awards & recognition
We won the Occupational Excellence Achievement Award from the National Safety Council two years in a row.
Dedicated to safety, FirstGroup received the National Safety Council’s (NSC) Green Cross for Safety Medal - the highest award for safety in North America.
Teamwork and trust
It takes a diverse team of skilled professionals to provide a safe, effective and efficient student transportation system. From our school bus drivers and location managers to routers, dispatchers and fleet technician mechanics, the work we do every day makes a big impact on the daily lives of students, parents, local communities and school district partners.
We’re very proud of our elite team of over 55,000 dedicated, caring and diverse professionals. And they are the #1 reason we’re trusted by over 1,400 school districts - more than any other provider. Everybody here plays their part in creating a positive school bus experience.
Our culture
We live and breathe our vision and values. They are embedded in our culture and drive our commitment to our customers and communities. Our culture fosters growth and promotes respect, reliability, responsibility and safety. And we recruit people who share these values and will work together to build strong and trusting partnerships in the communities we serve.
Safety – Although our safety record is twice as safe as the industry average, we continually seek out opportunities to enhance our operational and safety initiatives.
Learning – Through our learning culture that spans over 550 locations, we receive and share insight from our people to enhance our service now and in the future.
Making a difference - By doing our job well, we make a positive impact on many lives – including the millions of students who travel with us every school day.
Careers for all – We’re an Equal Opportunity Employer and an Employer of Choice.
By consistently encouraging and supporting an open dialogue with our people and partners, we’re able to share new ideas and develop new ways to meet the needs of our customers and passengers. At First Student, you’ll feel empowered to serve your community. So join the team and start to make a difference.

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