School Bus Driver

Education Authority (Northern Ireland); Limavady; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Education Authority (Northern Ireland) is recruiting a Bus Driver to transport children to and from school and other approved locations. You will assist with boarding, monitor behaviour, operate lifts and ramps, and ensure wheelchairs are secured during transit. The role requires safe driving per Cat.

D standards and compliance with tachograph regulations. You will maintain accurate records, support safeguarding, and participate in required training and assessments.

Qualifications

• Hold a full category D driving licence.
• Hold a driver qualification card (DQC).
• Digital Tachograph Card (must have before commencement).
• Evidence of experience driving a bus (17 seat vehicle or larger).
• Willingness to undertake job-related training and necessary certifications.

Responsibilities

• Transport children to and from school or other locations.
• Assist children in and out of the vehicle.
• Ensure good behaviour and report incidents as required.
• Operate lifts/ramps and secure wheelchairs.
• Provide minor first aid and complete accident reports.
• Keep detailed journey and vehicle logs.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Customer service

Record keeping

Tools

Digital Tachograph Card

DQC

Job description

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.

Professional Membership

• Hold a full category D licence
• Hold a driver qualification card (DQC)
• Digital Tachograph Card (Candidates MUST have a valid Digital Tachograph card prior to commencement of employment)
• Shortlisting by Application Form

Experience

• Evidence of experience of driving a bus (i.e. 17 seat vehicle and above)
• 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.

Abilities

• Demonstrable competence in driving a bus safely to meet the standards and requirements set out for Cat. D. PSV license holders and in line with the Highway Code
• 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

Values Orientation

Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values. You will find information about our Values here.

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.

Experience

• Evidence of experience in using safety and mobility aids relating to wheelchair accessible vehicles
• Shortlisting by Application Form

Our Values

Through the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This will include evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery. These reflect our aim which is to meet the needs of all our children and young people equally, removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential.

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 on www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/accessni-criminal-record-checks or www.justice-ni.gov.uk/articles/about-accessni

JOB DESCRIPTION

REPORTS TO: Transport Officer

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:
  1. (a) the Health and Safety at Work (NI) order 1978;
  2. (b) Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments and Regulations and other legal requirements;
  3. (c) 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