School Bus Driver

Education Authority; Armagh; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A local educational authority in Northern Ireland seeks a Driver to transport children, ensuring their safety and compliance with all regulations. The role requires holding a full Category D licence, a Driver Qualification Card, and a Digital Tachograph Card. Candidates should demonstrate experience driving buses and possess interpersonal and customer service skills. This position offers a chance to make a significant difference in children's lives while maintaining vehicle standards and records.

Benefits

Job-related training

Qualifications

• Hold a full Category D licence and a valid Digital Tachograph card.
• Experience driving a bus (17 seat vehicle and above) is essential.
• Willing to undertake job-related training and certifications.

Responsibilities

• Transport children to and from school or authorized locations.
• Ensure safety and behavior of children during transport.
• Operate vehicle lifts and ramps as required.

Skills

Accurate record maintenance

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Customer service

Education

Full Category D licence

Driver Qualification Card (DQC)

Digital Tachograph Card

Job description

Job Details

Reports to: Transport Officer

Job Purpose: 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 report any behavioural incidents to the Transport Officer or a deputising officer.
• 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 any injured child receives medical attention as quickly as possible. Complete and submit relevant personal injury/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.
• Observe scheduled timings as far as possible 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 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 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 keep the interior 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.

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.

Equal Opportunities Employer 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.

Person Specification – Essential Criteria

• Licence and Documentation
  • Hold a full Category D licence.
  • Hold a Driver Qualification Card (DQC).
  • Hold a Digital Tachograph Card (Candidates MUST have a valid Digital Tachograph card prior to commencement of employment).
• Experience
  • Evidence of experience driving a bus (17 seat vehicle and above).
• Skills / Abilities
  • Proven ability to maintain accurate and up-to-date records.
• Other
  • Willingness to undertake job-related training and necessary certifications to fulfil the requirements of the role.

Person Specification – Additional Essential Criteria

• Demonstrable competence in driving a bus safely to meet the standards and requirements set out for Category D.
• 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.
• Inclusion of a practical test before interview.
• Interview assessment of values orientation and evidence of how experience reflects EA’s ethos and values.

Desirable Criteria

• Evidence of experience using safety and mobility aids related to wheelchair accessible vehicles.
• Additional desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates.

Values Orientation

Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values.

Disclosure of Criminal Background

In the event that you are recommended for a post that involves regulated activity, the Education Authority will undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. The applicant will be expected to meet the cost of such a certificate.

Applicant Guidance and Benefits

To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here.

To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here.

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.