Trainee Program Jobs in Irvine, CA (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $22.98 Hourly
Location : 2985 Bear Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, CA
Job Type: Limited-Term
Job Number: 11-27
Department: Transportation
Opening Date: 08/05/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
The Vacancy, Basic Function, Minimum Qualifications
Participate in Paid Training Classes and Receive Instruction on the Skills and Certifications Necessary to Become a School Bus Driver for Newport-Mesa Unified School District
New Training Classes Beginning Soon!
The Bus Driver Trainee position is a limited term assignment. Trainees participate in a minimum of 80 hours of training over 4 to 6 weeks in both classroom and behind the wheel settings with the training curriculum consisting of instruction designed to help trainees acquire the necessary skills to operate a school bus over designated routes within established time schedules. Training classes will be scheduled according to need, with classes starting approximately every two months.
Please apply online at www.nmusd.us/jobs and follow the link for classified open positions.
SCHOOL BUS DRIVER TRAINEE PROGRAM - WHAT TO EXPECT
1. Apply for the School Bus Driver Trainee Program
Complete and submit your application. All applications must include a recent (less than 30 days old) DMV Driver Record, a copy of a current, valid driver license, and at least 10 years of work history, including time as a full-time student, on unemployment, family leave, etc.
The DMV Driver Record is a required item and must be submitted for your application to be considered. The DMV Driver Record may be attached to your application, or emailed to Luz Gonzalez at
2. Application Review
Applications will be reviewed, and well qualified applicants will be contacted by the Transportation Services to participate in a preliminary interview. Applicants selected to participate in training classes will be contacted by Human Resources.
3. Classroom Training
Trainees receive instruction on the policies, procedures, and laws relevant to safely operate a school bus. Classroom training will also include instruction on obtaining your Commercial Driver License, Special Driver Certificate, and First Aid Certification. Upon completion of DMV Testing components, trainees participate in ride-a-longs with experienced drivers.
4. Behind the Wheel Training
Trainees receive instruction on how to safely operate school buses from State Certified instructors, including how to properly perform daily pre-trip inspections of a school bus and other transportation vehicles, preparing reports concerning maintenance needs of vehicles, and behind the wheel training. Instruction will prepare trainees for mandatory CHP Testing.
5. Training Completion
Upon successful completion of the training program, trainees will be considered for Substitute Bus Driver positions with Newport-Mesa Unified School District and can begin gaining experience necessary to apply for Bus Driver positions within the district.
Examination Procedures And Information
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Graduation from High School
LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Possession of a valid Class A, B, or C California Motor Vehicle Operator's License
License Requirement: During training, must successfully obtain; a Valid Class A or B Motor Vehicle Operator's license with passenger transportation, "S", and air brake endorsements, a California Special Driver Certificate valid for school bus driving, and a Current Medical Examiner's Certificate, Form MCSA-5876
Insurance Requirement: Trainees must be able to be insured and continue to be insurable by the District's liability insurance carrier.
All applications must include:

• A recent (less than 30 days old) DMV Driver Record
• A copy of a valid Driver License
• At least 10 years of work history, including time as a full-time student, on unemployment, family leave, etc.

Applications will be reviewed for minimum requirements. However, Newport-Mesa Unified School District reserves the right to hold a competitive screening based on the number of applications and the needs of the District.
If you elect to have Newport-Mesa Unified School District (hereafter, 'District') contact you via email regarding your application and the hiring process, please be aware that the District is not responsible for any contacts you may have blocked on your email service. Unclaimed emails to applicants are not the responsibility of the District. In an effort to allow our emails through your personal spam filter, you can try to add the @nmusd.us and @schooljobs.com domains to your safe senders list.
Job Responsibilities
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:
With immediate supervision, drives a school bus.
Receives instruction pertaining to the transportation of children to and from school.
Receives instruction pertaining to the loading and unloading of students safely at designated stops and on field trips.
Receives instruction regarding the stopping of traffic for the purpose of escorting children across the street.
Receives instruction about the pre-trip inspection and maintenance of vehicles, mechanical functions of a school bus and its systems.
Learns state laws and District policies, public relations, student behavior management, and first aid.
Completes the daily record of transportation functions.
May wash, sweep, clean, or refuel buses and other automotive equipment.
Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Safe driving practices.
Provisions of the California Motor Vehicle Code.
ABILITY TO:
Drive a motor vehicle safely and efficiently.
Pass required physical examinations.
Perform appropriately in situations requiring tact and diplomacy.
Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
WORKING CONDITIONS:ENVIRONMENT:
School bus and outdoor environment.
Seasonal heat and cold or adverse weather conditions.
Evening or variable hours.
Exposure to fumes, dust, odors and oil/grease.
Driving a vehicle to conduct work.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:Sitting for extended periods of time while operating buses.
Hearing and speaking to exchange information.
Reaching, pulling and pushing to open bus doors.
Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching to inspect and wash buses.
Climbing ladders or steps.
Reaching overhead, above the shoulders or horizontally.
Seeing to monitor passengers and operate a vehicle.
Lifting moderately heavy children or objects.
HAZARDS:Traffic hazards.
Driving a vehicle during adverse weather conditions.
Working at heights while inspecting and cleaning the buses.
Fumes from chemical cleansers and bus operation.
Revised September 2009
Revised October 2005
Revised January 2003
Personnel Commission Approval
NONE
01
Information I provide to the following supplemental questions will be reviewed as part of the application process and questions that are not fully and completely answered will be considered grounds for disqualification from the examination process. Select "Yes" to indicate that you have read and understand these instructions.

• Yes

02
Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

03
Do you have a valid California Driver's License (or an out of state license and are willing to obtain a California Driver's License upon offer of employment)?

• Yes
• No

04
It is mandatory that you provide a copy of your current, valid Driver License to be able to be considered for this position. Did you attach a Driver License with your application?

• Yes, my Driver License is attached.
• Driver License will be submitted via email or fax.
• No, I will not be providing a Driver License.

05
It is mandatory that you provide a copy of your Driver Record issued by the DMV to be able to be considered for this position. Did you attach a recent (no more than 30 days old) printout with your application?

• Yes, my report is attached.
• I will obtain a report and submit it via email or fax.
• No, I will not be providing a DMV report.

06
Does your application include at least 10 years of work history, including time as a full-time student, on unemployment, family leave, etc.

• Yes
• No

07
Do you have knowledge of safe driving practices and the provisions of the California Motor Vehicle Code?

• Yes
• No

Required Question