Minibus Driver

Education Authority (Northern Ireland); Lisburn; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Education Authority (Northern Ireland) invites applications for a School Bus Driver to transport pupils to and from school and other authorised locations with attention to mobility needs and safety. You will work under the Principal as part of the transport team, ensuring punctuality, safeguarding, and courteous service.

The role requires a valid Category D1 driving license, willingness to gain a DQC, and a proven safety record. Commitment to deadlines and teamwork is essential.

Qualifications

• Hold a full category D1 driving license.
• Willingness to complete a driver qualification card (DQC).
• Evidence of 10 years driving experience.
• Willingness to undertake job-related training and necessary certifications to fulfil the requirements of the role.

Responsibilities

• Transport children, including those with mobility problems, to and from school or other locations.
• Assist children in and out of the vehicle.
• Ensure good behaviour of children and report any incidents.
• Operate lifts and ramps and secure wheelchairs.
• Provide minor first aid and report injuries promptly.
• Direct School Bus escorts where employed, as required.
• Transport meals and assist at schools as needed.
• Maintain detailed journey records and vehicle logs.
• Perform daily vehicle maintenance and safety checks.
• Complete defect reports and liaise with engineers.
• Comply with drivers’ hours regulations and tachographs.
• Keep spare parts and equipment secure.
• Keep the vehicle interior clean and tidy.
• Follow the Education Authority’s Drivers’ Manual.

Skills

D1 driving license

Record keeping

Willingness to training

Communication skills

Teamwork

Job description

PERSON SPECIFICATION

NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS 1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant. 2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise. 3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below. 4. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. 5. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role. 6. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet any desirable criteria.

SECTION 1 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

• Qualifications/ Professional Membership: Hold a full category D1 driving license; Willingness to complete a driver qualification card (DQC) qualification; Shortlisting by Application Form.
• Experience: Evidence of 10 years driving experience; Shortlisting by Application Form.
• Skills / Abilities: Proven ability to maintain accurate and up to date records; Shortlisting by Application Form.
• Other: Willingness to undertake job related training and necessary certifications to fulfil the requirements of the role; Shortlisting by Application Form.

SECTION 2 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage in line with EA’s Game Changing People Model.

• Skills / Abilities: In line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; Effective team working skills; Excellent customer service skills; Proven ability to work successfully to deadlines; Ability to communicate and take instruction in the English language; Practical test prior to interview; Interview Interview Interview Interview.
• Values Orientation: Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s Values. You will find information about our Values here: https://www.eani.org.uk/about-us/how-we-do-it. Interview.

SECTION 3 - DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

• Qualifications / Experience: Hold a driver qualification card (DQC). Shortlisting.

DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’. In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage. Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: School Bus Driver REPORTS TO: Principal

JOB PURPOSE: To drive any vehicle allocated in a careful, lawful manner with special reference to the persons and equipment being carried.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Transport children, including those with mobility problems or severe/moderate learning difficulties to and from school or other authorised locations.
• Assist children, including those with mobility problems in and out of the vehicle.
• Ensure the good behaviour of children on the bus where practicable and to report any behaviour incidents to the Transport Officer or such other person designated by him/her to deputise on his/her behalf.
• Operate lifts and ramps on vehicles as required and ensure that wheelchairs are properly clamped down and secured.
• Provide minor first aid to passengers and ensure that any injured child receives medical attention as quickly as possible. Complete and submit the relevant personal injury report/accident report forms to the Transport Officer without delay.
• Direct School Bus escorts where employed, in assisting with the above duties.
• Transport meals from, and return empty containers to School Meals Kitchens and assist generally at schools as required.
• Ensure, as far as possible, that scheduled timings are observed and keep a detailed record of journeys, fuel issues, oil, servicing and repair work on the vehicle log/mileage sheet.
• Carry out daily routine vehicle maintenance including checking fuel, oil and water levels, tyre pressures and topping up as required.
• Complete defect report book and submit to engineer.
• Comply with the EEC drivers’ hours and records regulations including the use of vehicle tachographs and submission of daily tachograph charts.
• Ensure the safe custody of all spare parts, tools, articles, equipment or other goods carried in the vehicle or under his/her immediate control, whether the property of the Education Authority or otherwise.
• Wash the allocated vehicle as and when necessary and ensure that the interior is kept clean and tidy.
• Comply with the provisions contained in the Education Authority’s official Drivers’ Manual.

General Conditions

• Carry out all duties to comply with: the Health and Safety at Work (NI) order 1978; Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments and Regulations and other legal requirements; Codes of Practice.
• Carry out all duties in the working conditions normally inherent in the particular job.
• Complete all necessary paperwork.
• Carry out duties for jobs up to and including those in the same grade, provided such duties are within the competence of the employee.

This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time. In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer