Activity Bus Driver 2026-2027

Young World Physical Education; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training and development opportunities

Supportive workplace

Regular hours based on need

Job summary

Southeast Polk Community School District is hiring a Bus Driver in Des Moines, Iowa. The position entails safely operating school buses, ensuring student safety, and maintaining proper records. Qualifications include a high school diploma, a CDL with necessary endorsements, and the ability to work effectively with diverse populations.

Applicants must be dependable, have excellent driving skills, and successfully complete background checks. Physical demands include assisting with student evacuations and maintaining cleanliness of the vehicle.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Successful completion of background checks.
• Practical knowledge of special education needs.

Responsibilities

• Operate the bus safely and efficiently.
• Maintain discipline and safety on the bus.
• Complete daily vehicle inspections and maintain records.

Skills

High School Diploma or GED

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

Computer skills

Ability to operate handicap equipment

Experience with special education students

Education

State of Iowa school bus operators permit

First Aid/CPR certification

Job description

Job Description

Southeast Polk Community School District

Job Title

Bus Driver

Reports To

Transportation Director

Job Goal

Operate a school bus in a safe and efficient manner to ensure the safety of passengers. The position requires continuous use of independent judgment.

Qualifications (Required)

• High School Diploma or GED
• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with passenger bus endorsement, S endorsement, and air brake
• State of Iowa school bus operators permit
• Ability to learn the operation of various buses and handicap equipment
• Computer skills useful for maintaining routing and student database
• Successful completion of physical, criminal background and child abuse registry check, and pre-work screening at time of hire
• Successful experience and competency working in a culturally diverse learning environment
• American Heart or Red Cross First Aid/CPR certification
• Practical knowledge of characteristics and needs of Special Education students
• One year minimum experience operating a passenger bus

Desired (Optional)

• Additional experience with special education students
• Any certifications related to transportation safety or special needs education

Performance Responsibilities

• Drive and operate a bus, van, or passenger vehicle safely and in conformance with District policy and procedures as well as local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Memorize bus routes, streets, roads, and school locations, keeping route information current at all times.
• Drive routes as assigned without deviation unless authorized or an emergency dictates otherwise.
• Maintain good driving habits, practice defensive driving over city, county, and state streets and roads under all types of weather conditions and exercise extra caution when driving around school buildings where children are present.
• Provide support and instruction to students in order to understand school bus safety rules.
• Conduct safe and orderly loading and unloading of students.
• Provide guidance to bus associates in the performance of their respective assignments and duties; providing training as needed.
• Maintain discipline and control on the bus at stops, transfer stations, and while in operation.
• Report inappropriate student conduct to the Transportation Director immediately upon completion of route.
• Report mechanical problems to the mechanic or Transportation Director immediately.
• Report performance problems, routing, pre‑trip inspection sheets, and scheduling issues to the Director of Transportation.
• Participate in all training pertaining to the job; including but not limited to mandatory bus evacuation drills as assigned by the Director of Transportation.
• Work with minimum supervision in accordance with published and verbal standards, guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Ensure that the bus, van, or passenger vehicle is clean inside and out, maintained and serviced; perform daily vehicle inspections; fuel vehicles and record usage on daily logs.
• Maintain up‑to‑date driver records such as physical, school permits, pre‑trip inspection paperwork, and all other paperwork as required.
• Monitor radio and cell phones and provide radio/cell phone communication.
• Remain drug, tobacco, and alcohol free at all times while working.
• Participate in all drug and alcohol testing.
• Dependability and reliability are essential.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, parents, and community members.
• Exhibit a positive attitude toward students.
• Meet with special education teachers to review the students' disabilities and how they might meet the students' needs as well as improve behavior on the bus.
• Attend annual Blood‑borne Pathogen Training and other staff development provided by the District.

Physical Demands

• Must have physical dexterity in limbs and digits and be free of impairment affecting the use of a foot, leg, hand, finger, or arm, or other structural defects that could interfere with the ability to safely control a school bus or handicap lift equipment.
• Must be capable of assisting in the emergency evacuation of students riding the bus by extraction through emergency windows, doors, and roof exits, including stepping down 3.5 feet from the bus floor to the ground at the rear emergency door, lifting students weighing up to 50 pounds, and dragging 125 pounds for a distance of 100 feet.
• Must be capable of sitting up to 1 hour per shift.
• Must be capable of standing up to 30 minutes at a time.
• Must be capable of walking up to 150 feet to the bus under adverse walking surface conditions.
• Must be capable of operating bus controls requiring up to 30 pounds of force.
• Must be capable of climbing 4 bus entry steps.
• Must be capable of trunk rotation and trunk bending for up to 3 minutes at a time.
• Must be capable of squatting for up to 2 minutes.
• Must be capable of operating handicap lift equipment, emergency windows, door exits, and opening the engine hood with pull forces up to 60 pounds.
• Must present appropriate appearance and personal cleanliness suited to working in close proximity to school children and teachers.
• Must be capable of working with co‑workers with different personalities.
• Must be capable of using flammable and combustible fuels, lubricants, and engine coolants and cleaning chemicals with appropriate PPE.
• Must be capable of working in extreme temperatures, humidity, and other environmental conditions.
• Must be able to handle situations where contact with bodily fluids is possible.

Note: The physical demands described above represent real‑life tasks an employee may need to perform as part of the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Clothing

• Street clothes.
• Appropriate clothing and/or protective equipment required by the task; such as coats, hats, gloves, and anti‑slip footwear when walking on ice while operating the bus during cold winter periods.

Equipment / Tools

• Vacuum cleaner, brooms, mops, rags, buckets, garbage liners, and cans, cleaning chemicals, and dust pan for cleanup operations.
• Two‑way radio equipment and cellular telephones.
• High pressure spray washer, air compressor, fuel dispensing equipment.
• Shovels and ice scrapers for winter operations.

Terms of Employment

• Employment based on need.
• Hours as assigned by Supervisor.

Evaluation

Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of Southeast Polk Board Policy.

Disclaimer

The statements of this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel in this position. These statements are not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his or her supervision.

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of the Southeast Polk Community School District to not illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), genetic information (for employment), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. The district has a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact Joseph M. Horton, Deputy Superintendent, Equal Opportunity Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator, Southeast Polk District Office, 8031 NE University Ave., Pleasant Hill, IA 50327, (515)-967-4294, [e-mail]. Inquiries or grievances may also be directed to the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Des Moines, IA, 50319‑0201, (515) 281‑4121; or the U.S. Department of Education, Region VII Office of Civil Rights, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1475, Chicago IL 60661.