2026-27 - School Bus Driver - Special Education

Saint Paul Public Schools; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 39,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Saint Paul Public Schools is seeking a skilled School Bus Driver to transport students, including those with special needs, in a safe and reliable manner. You will conduct pre-trip inspections, operate lift equipment, and secure mobility devices while maintaining order on the bus.

Must hold a valid CDL with school bus and passenger endorsements and have completed required tests and permits before interview. Join a team focused on safety, compliance, and responsible student transportation.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED plus two years of experience as a School Bus Driver, including experience with special needs students.
• Must have a valid Class A or B CDL with school bus and passenger endorsements; endorsements must be reinstated if not currently held.
• Pass written tests and obtain permits for school bus and passenger endorsements before interview.

Responsibilities

• Operate conventional lift-equipped and forward control school buses to transport students, including those with special needs.
• Supervise safe loading/unloading of students and conduct mandated emergency bus evacuation drills.
• Operate hydraulic lift equipment and secure wheelchairs or other adaptive devices.
• Maintain a disciplined, safe environment on and around the bus.
• Report incidents of unacceptable student conduct to the district and ensure staff follow rules.

Skills

Student behavior management

First Aid/CPR

Emergency procedures

Data privacy

Oral and written communication

Safe driving practices

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

CDL license

School bus endorsement

Job description

General Statement of Duties

Performs skilled operation of Type III School Bus as defined under MS 169.01 subd 6(5) to transport students. Maintain disciplines and ensures a safe environment for students during loading and unloading and during driving and operating of the bus. Performs pre-trip mechanical inspection and routine preventive maintenance.

General Information

Performs skilled operation of Type III School Bus as defined under MS 169.01 subd 6(5) to transport students. Maintain disciplines and ensures a safe environment for students during loading and unloading and during driving and operating of the bus. Performs pre-trip mechanical inspection and routine preventive maintenance.

Supervision Received

Works under the general supervision of a unit supervisor.

Supervision Exercised

May exercise day-to-day technical supervision over teaching assistants in providing services to a special education student in relation to transportation issues.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or G.E.D. and two years of experience as a School Bus Driver, which includes experience working with special needs students. Must have a valid Class A or B commercial driver's license (CDL). If you currently do not hold a school bus and/or passenger endorsement you will need to reinstate the endorsements. In order to be considered an applicant, you must have passed the written tests and obtained your permit for the school bus and passenger endorsements prior to the interview.

Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following fundamental duties: Drives conventional lift-equipped and forward control school busses ranging from Type I to Type III to transport students, including special needs students to and from school, between schools, to other District programs and/or the juvenile unit of the Police Department and on field and athletic trips. Supervises the safe loading and unloading of the school bus; conducts state mandated regularly scheduled emergency bus evacuation drills. Operates hydraulic lift equipment. Secures wheelchairs and other adaptive devices to ensure safe transportation of the students. Maintains a disciplined and safe environment on and around the school bus. Reports all incidents of unacceptable student conduct to building principal on the District Incident Report form. Ensures that School Bus Assistants and other staff riding the bus follow rules and regulations. Transports students to home or school who have been removed from contract school buses for physical or verbal attacks on other students and/or staff or for refusing to follow bus safety rules. Performs a detailed mechanical pre-trip inspection of the school bus covering items required by state law and department policy; completes pre-trip inspection report. Reports defects to supervisor. Maintains cleanliness of the interior and exterior of vehicles. Performs preventative maintenance including adding fluids, changing light bulbs, proper inflation of tires and related maintenance activities. Participates in in-service training for contract school bus drivers the District Bus Aides in First Aid, CPR, student behavior management, school bus safety, use of life equipment and/or related areas. Inventories, organizes and distributes bus and pedestrian safety materials.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of federal and state laws, rules, and regulations, District and department policies and procedures relating to the operation of a school bus including emergency evacuation of the bus, maintaining a safe and disciplined environment on and around the school bus, and data privacy issues.
• Considerable knowledge of student behavior management.
• Knowledge and Certification in American Red Cross First Aid, adult, child, and infant CPR.
• Some knowledge of medical conditions in order to know how to react in emergency situations.
• Knowledge of District policies and procedures on reporting racial and sexual harassment.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to perform school bus routes, sometimes without a mapped copy of the route or by receiving directions over a two-way radio.
• Ability to lift, secure, and handle medical support equipment including but not limited to oxygen tanks, respirators, heart monitors, batteries used to power equipment, aspirators, and related equipment.
• Ability in interact effectively with students who have a wide variety of special needs including those who are medically fragile and emotionally-behaviorally disordered and with parents, school staff and the public.

Essential Functions

Essential functions are job duties that the individual holding the position must be able to perform unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation through the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and the Americans with Disability Amendments Act (ADAAA). The essential functions are typical duties as outlined under Responsibilities.

• Regular and reliable attendance.
• May be exposed to various cleaning products.

Other Information

Transcript - Unofficial transcripts are accepted at the time of hire. You must submit official transcripts within 30 days of your start date. Formal credential evaluation is required for post-secondary education completed outside of the United States.

Veteran's Preference - If you are an eligible veteran applying for a job where veteran's preference applies and wish to claim Veterans Preference you must submit a legible copy of your DD214 to the Human Resource Department with your employment application. If your claim is approved, five or ten additional points will be added to your final passing score.

Criminal Background Investigation and Reference Checks - Reference checks and a criminal background investigation will be completed as a condition of hire for all new employees and for former employees who have not been employed by the District for more than six months.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Saint Paul Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and supports an inclusive workplace environment.

Equal Opportunity Statement

SPPS is committed to an equitable workforce where all employees represent this commitment through equitable practices in their job position.

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

Pay range for this position is: $27.86 - $29.83.

Maximum hiring step Bus Driver = step four (4).

The full salary schedule is listed in the Bus Driver contract. Salary information for this job posting can be found at this link (https://www.spps.org/about/departments/human-resources/labor-agreements) and by selecting the "Bus Driver" Labor agreement.

Benefit information for this position can be found at this link (https://www.spps.org/about/departments/human-resources/benefits/benefit-summaries-by-bargaining-unit) and by selecting the "Bus Drivers - Full Time" link.