School Bus Driver (3 Posts, Cookstown, Aughnacloy %26 Dungannon)

Education Authority; Cookstown; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A public service organization in Cookstown is seeking a bus driver to transport children, including those with mobility difficulties, to and from school. The role requires a full category D licence and a driver qualification card. Candidates must demonstrate strong communication and customer service skills. This is a great opportunity for those looking to make a positive impact in the community while ensuring safe travel for children.

Qualifications

• Hold a full category D licence.
• Hold a driver qualification card (DQC).
• Hold a valid Digital Tachograph Card before commencement.
• Experience driving a bus (17 seat vehicle and above).
• Proven ability to maintain accurate and up-to-date records.
• Willingness to undertake job-related training.
• Competence in driving a bus safely to meet standards.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Effective team working skills.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to work successfully to deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Transport children to and from school or other authorized locations.
• Assist children with mobility problems in and out of the vehicle.
• Ensure good behaviour of children and report incidents.
• Operate lifts and ramps on vehicles as required.
• Provide minor first aid to passengers and report injuries.
• Ensure scheduled timings are observed and keep records.
• Carry out daily routine vehicle checks and report defects.

Skills

Driving competence

Interpersonal skills

Team working skills

Customer service skills

Record maintenance

Education

Full category D licence

Driver qualification card (DQC)

Valid Digital Tachograph Card

Job description

Job Purpose

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

Reports To

Transport Officer

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 report any behaviour incidents to the Transport Officer or designated deputy.
• Operate lifts and ramps on vehicles as required and ensure 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 relevant personal injury and accident report forms to the Transport Officer without delay.
• Direct school bus escorts where employed, 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 checks including checking fuel, general vehicle condition, oil and water levels, tyre pressures and topping up as required.
• Complete defect report book and submit to engineer.
• Comply with EU drivers’ hours and tachograph regulations and Working Time Directive for mobile workers.
• Ensure the safe custody of all spare parts, tools, articles, equipment or other goods carried in the vehicle or under immediate control, whether the property of the Education Authority or otherwise.
• Wash the allocated vehicle as and when necessary and ensure 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: (a) The Health and Safety at Work (NI) order 1978; (b) Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments and Regulations and other legal requirements; (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.

Essential Criteria

• Hold a full category D licence.
• Hold a driver qualification card (DQC).
• Hold a valid Digital Tachograph Card before commencement.
• Evidence of experience driving a bus (17 seat vehicle and above).
• Proven ability to maintain accurate and up-to-date records.
• Willingness to undertake job‑related training and necessary certifications.
• Demonstrable competence in driving a bus safely to meet the standards set for Cat. D holders.
• 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.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in using safety and mobility aids relating to wheelchair accessible vehicles.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons. However, as women are currently under‑represented in our fleet of drivers, we would particularly welcome applications from women. All appointments will be made on merit.

Other Information

To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post, click here.

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.