School Bus Driver

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

Job summary

A government education body in Northern Ireland is seeking a qualified driver to transport children, including those with disabilities, to and from school. The role requires a full category D1 licence, a driver qualification card, and experience driving larger vehicles. Responsibilities include ensuring children's safety during transport, performing daily vehicle checks, and maintaining accurate logs. The position emphasizes strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to equality and service excellence.

Qualifications

• Holder of a full category D1 licence and valid Digital Tachograph card.
• Experience driving a bus with 17 seats or more.
• Ability to maintain accurate and up-to-date records.

Responsibilities

• Transport children safely to and from school, including those with disabilities.
• Assist children in and out of the vehicle when required.
• Maintain vehicle log and perform daily checks on vehicle safety.

Skills

Driving experience with vehicles over 17 seats

Excellent interpersonal skills

Effective team working skills

Customer service skills

Education

Full category D1 licence

Driver qualification card (DQC)

Digital Tachograph Card

Job description

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 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 the 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 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.

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

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

• Holder a full category D1 licence – Shortlisting by Application Form
• Hold a driver qualification card (DQC) – Shortlisting by Application Form
• Digital Tachograph Card (Candidates MUST have a valid Digital Tachograph card prior to commencement of employment) – Shortlisting by Application Form
• Evidence of experience of driving a bus (i.e. 17 seat vehicle and above) – Shortlisting by Application Form
• Proven ability to maintain accurate and up to date records – Shortlisting by Application Form
• Willingness to undertake job related training and necessary certifications to fulfil the requirements of the role – Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA (INTERVIEW/SELECTION)

• Demonstrable competence in driving a minibus safely to meet the standards and requirements set out for Cat. D. PSV licence 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
• Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values – Interview

SECTION 3 - DESIRABLE CRITERIA

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.

APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES

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BENEFITS

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The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer