Driver Trainer - Part Time

First Student; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive hourly rate: $24.34

Growth and leadership opportunities

Supportive team environment

Job summary

First Student in Ottawa, ON is seeking an experienced Driver Trainer to develop and mentor school bus drivers. You will deliver classroom and behind-the-wheel training, support the driver candidate pipeline, and foster a culture of safety and professionalism within the location.

The role emphasizes leadership, flexibility, and a commitment to continuous improvement, with a focus on building the next generation of safe drivers and a strong driver experience.

Qualifications

• Valid B License required.
• Minimum 2 years of school bus or commercial driving experience.
• Clean driver abstract with no preventable collisions or moving violations in past 3 years.
• Strong communication, mentoring and coaching abilities.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety excellence.
• No more than one unexcused absence in the previous 12 months.
• No more than one written warning in the previous 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Deliver classroom, skills and on the road training for new school bus drivers.
• Provide refresher, remedial, and upgrade training to existing drivers.
• Support the driver candidate pipeline through onboarding and training activities.
• Contribute to a positive, professional, and engaging candidate and driver experience.
• Coach and mentor drivers with a focus on safe driving practices, regulatory compliance, and confidence-building.
• Take pride in developing driver skills and fostering long-term success.
• Evaluate driver performance to ensure required skill levels and certifications.
• Maintain accurate training records in accordance with provincial, First Student, and contract requirements.
• Identify performance gaps and collaborate with local leadership to develop targeted training plans.
• Support overall safety initiatives at the location.
• Participate in meetings and training sessions as required.
• Perform other safety and training-related duties as assigned.

Skills

B License

Driving experience

Communication

Mentoring

Coaching

Independence

Safety excellence

Attendance discipline

Clean record

Job description

First Student is seeking an experienced, safety-focused Driver Trainer to join our -Ottawa, ON location. This position is designed for a highly skilled and respected driver who takes pride in developing others. We are looking for a valued team member who demonstrates leadership, flexibility, and a strong commitment to building the next generation of safe school bus drivers. In this role, you will deliver classroom and behind-the-wheel training to both new and existing drivers, support the driver candidate pipeline, enhance the overall driver experience, and contribute to a culture of safety, professionalism, and continuous improvement. This opportunity is ideal for an experienced school bus driver who enjoys mentoring others, sharing knowledge, and playing a key role in strengthening the team.

Availability Expectations

• Availability of 3 to 4 hrs per day (16-20 hrs/week).
• Availability Monday through Friday.
• Potential availability on weekends based on operational and training needs.
• Availability during peak periods, including summer and the Christmas season.
• Flexibility to support urgent or time-sensitive training requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver classroom, skills and on the road training for new school bus drivers.
• Provide refresher, remedial, and upgrade training to existing drivers as required.
• Support the driver candidate pipeline through onboarding and training activities.
• Contribute to a positive, professional, and engaging candidate and driver experience.
• Coach and mentor drivers with a focus on safe driving practices, regulatory compliance, and confidence-building.
• Take pride in developing driver skills and fostering long-term success.
• Evaluate driver performance to ensure required skill levels and certifications are achieved and maintained.
• Maintain accurate training records in accordance with provincial, First Student, and contract requirements.
• Identify performance gaps and collaborate with local leadership to develop targeted training plans.
• Support overall safety initiatives at the location.
• Participate in meetings and training sessions as required.
• Perform other safety and training-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Experience

• Valid B License
• Minimum 2 years of school bus or commercial driving experience
• Clean driver abstract with no preventable collisions or moving violations in past three (3) years dated within the past 30 days
• Strong communication, mentoring, and coaching abilities
• Professional, dependable, and respected by peers
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision
• Demonstrated commitment to safety excellence
• Attendance: No more than one (1) unexcused absence in the previous 12 months
• Warning Record: No More than one (1) written warning in the previous 12 months

How We Recognize your Value:

• Competitive hourly rate: $24.34
• Opportunity to serve as a valued and respected leader within the location
• Meaningful impact on driver development and community safety
• Supportive, team-focused work environment
• Opportunities for growth and advancement

We aspire to create a culture where all people are First. We encourage applications from women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and members of visible minorities. Reasonable accommodation is available throughout the hiring process.

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.

MISSION

Provide unmatched care and the safest ride to school, so when students arrive, they start and end their day with an exceptional experience and are ready to achieve their full potential.

FOCUS ON SAFETY

Safety is at the heart of everything we do.

CARE FOR OUR STUDENTS

Ensure our vehicles are welcoming and trusted places where students feel comfortable and secure.

SURPASS CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS

Go the extra mile to deliver an extraordinary experience for our customers and communities.

FOSTER TEAMWORK

Work together, act with integrity, respect each other, champion diversity and inclusion.

SET THE HIGHEST STANDARDS

Continually seek a better way to do things with innovation, sustainable practices, financial discipline, commercial excellence, and operational excellence