Bus Driver

Job Description: Bus Driver

SUMMARY:

Position               : Bus Driver

Description        : Responsible for safely transporting students over scheduled routes and/or to/from special excursions, ensuring timely arrival and adherence to safety standards. This role demands maintaining a safe vehicle condition, enforcing appropriate behavior on the bus, and handling emergency situations with diligence.

Reports to           : Transportation Supervisor

Department       : Transportation

Job type               : Part-time

Classification    : Non-Exempt

Calendar Type  : 10 Month (Calendar 1). Summer work may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School diploma or equivalent preferred

• Valid Missouri commercial driver's license with S endorsement

• Air Brake certification preferred
• CPR/First Aid certification preferred

REQUIRED TESTING:

• Pre-employment Physical Exam
• Pre-employment Drug Screening
• Entry into the District Drug/Alcohol Testing Program
• Subject to random drug and alcohol testing

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct daily pre-trip vehicle inspections to ensure safe operation.
• Operate school buses over scheduled routes and special trips in a safe, efficient manner.
• Enforce safe and appropriate behavior of riders, maintaining discipline and adhering to guidelines.
• Memorize student names and faces for accurate, secure transportation.
• Make timely decisions in various situations for student safety.
• Navigate through confined streets and unfamiliar areas confidently.
• Collaborate with school staff and parents, maintaining a positive, safe environment.
• Maintain confidentiality of student information.
• Respond to incidents, complaints, and emergencies, taking appropriate action.
• Train and guide students on safe boarding and exiting procedures.
• Maintain a clean, sanitary bus environment.
• Adhere to local traffic regulations and report any delays or accidents.
• Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with teachers, administrators, parents, and other staff members to maintain a safe, compassionate environment, including implementing student behavior and bus plans.
• Ability to interact positively with students and model appropriate behavior.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of student records and other information shared about students.
• Ability to recognize, evaluate, and respond to incidents, complaints, accidents, and/or potential emergencies (e.g., road hazards, student behavior issues, medical emergencies, accidents, etc.) to resolve and/or recommend a resolution.
• Ability to train and work with students and passengers to encourage and reinforce safe loading and unloading from buses during regular transport and emergencies.
• Attend Meetings, In-Service Training, Workshops, etc., to gather information and stay current on required knowledge to perform job functions.
• Effectively inform school personnel and parents of events, policies, and practices (e.g., scheduled stops, established routes, route conditions, etc.) to provide information and clarify procedures.
• Prepare accurate and timely reports (e.g., field trip reports, incident reports, inspection records, passenger misconduct, mileage logs, student counts, routing information, etc.) to document activities, provide written references, convey information, and/or comply with established guidelines.
• Operate specialized routes for students with special needs, utilizing equipment like wheelchair lifts and child safety restraint systems.
• Serve in a standby capacity, ready to adjust to changes and emergencies.
• Conduct field/activity trips, applying safety and common sense in various situations.
• Follow the state and district policies, regulations, procedures, and manuals.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Skills in multitasking, communication, first aid, operating district vehicles, and using special equipment.
• Knowledge of basic math, reading and writing documentation, emergency evacuation techniques, local streets, basic vehicle maintenance, and safe driving practices.
• Ability to work with diverse groups, problem-solve, maintain confidentiality, and drive safely under distractions.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral forms with all levels of management, both internal and external to the district.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and students both internal and external to the district.
• Ability to identify problems and proactively find solutions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes, airborne particles, vibration, and varying weather conditions.
• Moderate noise level.
• Yearly Physical, subject to random drug and alcohol testing, minimum eight hours of training per year, annual district behavior management, and defensive driving program.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, and hear.
• The employee is regularly required to do significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some climbing and balancing; frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; significant fine finger dexterity and sense of smell.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 40 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.; and significant fine finger dexterity.
• Generally, the job requires 85% sitting, 10% walking, and 5% standing.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements, physical demands, work conditions and environment listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.