Job Summary

The position is responsible for operating a school bus and transporting students and other authorized personnel safely and efficiently along specified routes to and from schools and various activities. Position conducts pre-trip inspections; observes safety regulations and policies; and enforces student discipline on the bus.

Essential Duties

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities who are otherwise qualified to perform the duties herein described.

1. Checks with the dispatcher or area transportation supervisor for any changes in regular duties or new student passengers.
2. Ensures the bus can be operated safely before driving by conducting pre-trip safety inspections required by federal and state laws, including checking for visual defects and inspecting the operating systems, brakes, horn, lights, emergency flashers, extended stop arms, and door-opening devices.
3. Operates the vehicle safely over an assigned route, picking up and delivering authorized students at designated bus stops, and ensures that no one hurrying for the bus is left behind.
4. Adheres to assigned time schedules, which may require driving during pre-daylight and dusk periods, and makes every effort to ensure timeliness and safety.
5. Obeys all traffic laws and transportation practices as outlined in the CDL manual, Bus Driver Handbook, School Board Policy, and local ordinances.
6. Observes all mandatory safety regulations for school buses and keeps all emergency exits clear of obstructions.
7. Secures wheelchairs, car seats, and other restraining devices on the bus as needed.
8. Maintains student discipline on the bus and enforces rules governing student conduct.
9. Reports undisciplined students to the proper authority and compiles written reports in accordance with the bus driver handbook and the Students’ Rights and Responsibilities Handbook when necessary.
10. Conducts semi-annual bus evacuation drills in accordance with the Department of Education requirements, implements evacuations as required in an emergency, including safely exiting from the rear of the school bus.
11. Reports all accidents immediately; requests police or ambulance services when needed; assists injured persons until services arrive; and completes required accident reports.
12. Notifies the proper authority in cases of mechanical failures, safety deficiencies, schedule deviations, or other incidents.
13. Regulates heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment on the bus for passenger comfort.
14. Transports students and teachers to field trips, extracurricular activities, and other special events, often in evenings and at night, as assigned.
15. Exercises responsible leadership and appropriate behavior during out-of-division school trips.
16. Returns the bus to the assigned lot, conducts a final inspection, and secures the bus in accordance with procedures.
17. Participates in all required training.
18. Submits to drug testing when required.
19. Maintains a commercial driver’s license as required by the State Department of Transportation.
20. Models nondiscriminatory practices in all activities.
21. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Completion of the division’s classroom training course.
• Possession of a commercial driver’s license as required by the State Department of Transportation, with an excellent driving record, or the ability to acquire the permit before the completion of the training course.
• Meets the mandated physical and mental requirements established by the state and the US Department of Transportation (the school division is not permitted to employ individuals who do not meet these standards).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent driving skills.
• Good knowledge of the procedures and federal/state laws governing the safe operation of a school bus (before the completion of the division’s training course).
• Knowledge of, and the ability to properly secure a wheelchair, car seat, or other restraining devices on a school bus.
• Ability to maintain student discipline and ensure that student behavior does not impair safe driving.
• Ability to recognize and report any unsafe acts or conditions.
• Ability to remain in compliance with state/division regulations regarding the use of controlled substances and alcohol as applied to school bus drivers.
• Ability to meet the mandated physical and mental requirements established by the state and the US Department of Transportation.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to interact with students, parents, and faculty positively and appropriately.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, parents, and the public.
• Knowledge of first aid techniques and the ability to administer when necessary.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Must have the ability to sit for extended periods of time; use foot controls to drive; reach with hands and arms; climb; bend, stoop, and kneel; and talk or hear. The employee must be physically able to perform and demonstrate emergency evacuation procedures.  This includes pushing/pulling up to 50 pounds.  In addition, there are emergency exits at any location on the s.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, night/dusk vision, color vision, and peripheral vision.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Duties are usually performed in a school. Duties may occasionally be performed on field trips away from school.  While performing his responsibilities, the employee is frequently exposed to loud noise levels, fumes or airborne particles, noxious odors, vibrations from driving a bus, and traffic.  The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions.

Clearance

Criminal Justice Background check, Fingerprinting, TB Assessment

Supervision Exercised

None

Supervision Received

Area Transportation Supervisor

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee. The employee will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the Principal or the appropriate administrator. Accomack County Public Schools reserves the right to update, revise, or change this job description and related duties at any time.

The Accomack County School System is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability, race, color, religion, national origin, or military service in its employment practices.