Professional Bus Operator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The impact you will have: As a Bus Driver, you will safely transport students and staff to and from schools, activities, and events while providing a positive and welcoming experience. You are often the first and last San José Unified employee our students interact with each day—setting the tone for safety, respect, and care. Our School Bus Drivers play a vital role in creating a safe, reliable, and supportive transportation experience that helps every student start and end their school day feeling valued and secure. You play an important role in helping our students feel safe and supported. A more detailed job description is available at: https://sjusd.box.com/v/BusDriver.

Who you are: You are a dependable, safety-focused professional who takes pride in serving students and the community. You bring strong driving skills, patience, and sound judgment to every route, ensuring that all passengers arrive safely and on time. You maintain a calm and courteous demeanor under all conditions and understand the importance of building positive relationships with students, parents, and staff. You are punctual, attentive, and committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, safety, and customer service.

As a Bus Driver, you will be responsible for (but not limited to):

• Safely operating a school bus along assigned routes to transport students and staff between schools, activities, and field trips.
• Conducting pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections to ensure the safe and reliable condition of the bus.
• Following all traffic laws, district policies, and state regulations related to student transportation.
• Maintaining order and ensuring student safety while driving and during loading and unloading procedures.
• Assisting students as needed, including those with mobility challenges, ensuring safe boarding and exiting.
• Communicating effectively with dispatchers, school administrators, and parents regarding schedules or incidents.
• Maintaining accurate records such as mileage, time sheets, route logs, and safety reports.
• Reporting mechanical issues or safety concerns promptly for repair or follow-up.
• Maintaining the cleanliness and organization of the bus interior and exterior.
• Demonstrating professionalism and care in every interaction, contributing to a safe and welcoming environment for all riders.

What you need for this position:

• Completion of 10th grade or equivalent
• Valid California Class B License
• Valid Commercial Medical Certificate
• School Bus Driver's Certificate
• Valid First Aid certification (Red Cross, EMSA or CHP)
• Certified DMV Record completed within last 30 days. To obtain this submit Request for Own Driver License/Identification Card or Vehicle/Vessel Registration Record to DMV and be sure to check the box at the top to "Certify the record as a true copy of record". Click this link to obtain the form: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/forms/inf/inf1125.
• FMCSA Clearinghouse Registration at https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/

FMCSA Clearinghouse Registration Notice to Applicants: This position is considered a safety sensitive position by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Effective January 6, 2020, any applicant who wishes to be considered for this position must be registered with the FMCSA Clearinghouse. Regulations require San José Unified School District to perform a full query of any individual prior to that person being hired into a safety sensitive position. Regulations also require applicants to provide consent for the full query. Consent for the full query can only be provided via the online Clearinghouse by individuals registered with the Clearinghouse.

For more information on the Clearinghouse or to register, please visit: https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/. Applicants may also come into the Transportation office for assistance in registering.

SB 848 Child Safety & Employment Disclosure Requirement

Effective January 1, 2026, in accordance with California Senate Bill 848 (School Employee Misconduct/Child Abuse Prevention Act), applicants for employment with San José Unified are subject to enhanced child safety, training, and employment disclosure requirements.

Under SB 848, schools are required to strengthen background vetting procedures and obtain employment history information related to allegations of egregious misconduct involving students. Former employers may be contacted to release records regarding substantiated findings of misconduct as permitted by law. Failure to provide complete and accurate information regarding prior educational employment or relevant misconduct findings may result in disqualification from the hiring process or withdrawal of an offer of employment.

SB 848 also expands mandated reporter requirements and requires annual child abuse prevention training for employees and certain volunteers by July 1, 2026. All employees must comply with district-adopted child safety policies, including procedures for supervising and protecting students.

San José Unified is committed to maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment for all students and will review all disclosures and employment records in accordance with state law.

When will you hear back from us: Within seven days of applying, we will inform you if you will be moving forward in our hiring process and share next steps. If there is a delayed response, feel free to reach out to us at transportation@sjusd.org.

Note to internal applicants:

• Even though we may have some information on file for you, we encourage you to submit a letter of introduction highlighting your qualifications and interest in this role, as well as any other information you would like to share. Where applicable, please also note which available location you are applying to.
• To be eligible to interview, you will need to be in good evaluation standing.