Activity Bus Driver - CDL Certified

Sylvania; Columbia Falls (MT); On-site; USD 39,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Sylvania is seeking a dedicated school bus driver to transport students and staff on field trips and athletic events. You will follow scheduled routes, enforce safety, and maintain discipline on buses. The role requires CDL with S and P endorsements and prior driving experience.

Responsibilities include pre/post trip inspections, reporting maintenance needs, and completing required safety training. The position emphasizes reliability and strong communication with students, parents, and school

Qualifications

• Valid Montana commercial driver’s license with School Bus S and Passenger endorsements.
• Minimum five years of licensed driving experience.
• Clean driving record with no recent major offenses.
• High school diploma or equivalent; basic First Aid certification.
• Must complete SafeSchools online courses: Alert Driving, Defensive Driving, Winter Driving.

Responsibilities

• Transport students, staff, and chaperones on field trips and events.
• Drive bus in accord with time schedules from school officials.
• Maintain order and safety on buses and enforce district policies.
• Perform pre/post trip inspections and report maintenance needs.
• Prepare trip reports and mileage details.
• Attend safety meetings or complete required training hours.

Skills

Dependability

Safe driving

Time management

Follow instructions

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Montana CDL with School Bus S & P endorsements

High school diploma or equivalent

Basic first aid certificate

Tools

Two-way radio

Job description

REPORTS TO: Director of Transportation

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Activity Drivers are assigned to trips in accordance to the Collective Bargaining Agreement based on category of trip and driver classification. Trips are assigned to Activity Drivers in preference based order and shall be accepted (commit) when the trip criteria and driver availability depicts them to be eligible.
• Drives the bus in accordance with the time schedule assigned by the Principal/Teacher or Activities/Athletic Director.
• This is a temporary position, in which activity trips will be assigned as needed.
• Transports students, staff, and chaperones on field trips, athletic activities, and other special trips.
• Enforces District policies and procedures related to transportation and maintains discipline on buses.
• Prepares Activity Trip Ticket reports of mileage and drive time.
• Maintains bus cleanliness, post trip, including exterior washing, as needed.
• Performs pre and post vehicle inspection reports, including maintenance needs.
• Renders first aid or emergency assistance as needed. Must maintain First Aid/CPR certification in accordance to ARM 10.7.111.
• Maintains good order among students on buses, following District policies regarding discipline of children and contact with parents and other citizens (communicates with parents, guardians, and other citizens).
• Instructs students and other riders on proper bus behavior and emergency procedures.
• Must attend monthly transportation safety meetings, or arrange 15 hours of safety training with the Transportation Manager and/or Director.

Only minimum duties are listed. Other functions may be required as given or assigned.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Possession of valid Montana commercial driver’s license with an School Bus “S” and Passenger “P” endorsement is required when a person who drives a school bus, accompanied by satisfactory medical examination report on a form approved by the United States Department of Transportation, signed by any physician licensed in the United States or, if acceptable to an insurance carrier, any licensed physician; passenger, airbrakes, general knowledge and bus endorsements.
• Work history demonstrating dependability and reliability; good driving record; high school diploma or equivalent; or any combination of training and experience likely to provide the desired knowledge and abilities.
• Have a minimum of five years of licensed driving experience;
• no record of criminal offenses indicating they may be dangerous to children, as evidenced by a criminal background check provided to and approved by the school district prior to initial employment;
• a safe driving record, which may not have evidence of any of the following: i. more than one moving traffic violation within any 12-month period of the preceding 36 months; ii. any conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs within the preceding 36 months; iii. or a conviction resulting in mandatory revocation or suspension of a driver's license in the previous five years
• Must complete the following SafeSchools online courses:
• • Alert Driving
  • Defensive Driving
  • Winter Driving
• Holds a valid basic first aid certificate.
• A variety of drug and alcohol tests are required -- pre- employment, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, random, return to duty, and follow-up.
• Ability to obey all traffic laws.
• Knowledge of safe driving practices.
• Knowledge of highways, roads and geography of the School District and other districts served.
• Operates small activities bus, exercising good judgment and extreme caution.
• Ability to drive small activities bus safely over a variety of normal and hazardous road conditions.
• Maintains order among students on a bus.
• Able to keep simple records.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, the public, and staff members.
• Maintains cooperative working relationships with those contracted in the course of work.
• Ability to handle stressful situations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of student matters.
• Ability to effectively manage time and responsibilities.

EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS USED

Two-way radio equipment, special needs equipment, telephone/voice mail, email, and google sheets.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works inside and outside. The employee must be able to meet deadlines with severe time constraints. The environment can be stressful due to the nature of the work.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; occasionally walk and stand. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is required to be able to hear conversations in quiet environments. May be required to lift or carry up to 30 pounds.

MENTAL/MOTOR DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee often performs routine work. Guidance and reinforcement are usually unavailable. The employee frequently works within time constraints and maintains attentiveness intensity. The employee may be involved in interactions which require oral and written communications.

The physical demands, work-environment characteristics, and mental/motor demands described within this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.