Bus Assistant - Special Education

Transportation; Walla Walla (WA); On-site; USD 24,000 - 35,000; Part time

Job summary

Walla Walla Public Schools Transportation in Walla Walla, Washington is seeking a Bus Assistant for Special Education to support bus drivers on routes and activities, ensuring safe transport for students with special needs. The role involves assisting loading/unloading, securing wheelchairs, and monitoring student behavior.

Qualifications include a high school diploma or GED, and bilingual English/Spanish is preferred.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Knowledge of emergency school bus equipment and safety procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, and parents.

Responsibilities

• Assist the bus driver on scheduled routes and trips in support of district activities.
• Maintain control of student passengers and report unsafe acts or conditions.
• Assist students with special needs, including loading, unloading, and seat-belting; operate bus elevator lifts.
• Install restraints on students in wheelchairs and other conveyances.
• Provide vigilant supervision of students and report unusual behavior to the appropriate district official.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Communication skills

Cultural awareness

Relationship building

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Bus Assistant - Special Education

Walla Walla Public Schools Transportation - Walla Walla, Washington
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This job is also posted in Walla Walla Public Schools

Job Details

Job ID: 5975553

Application Deadline: Nov 02, 2026 5:00 PM (Pacific Standard Time)

Posted: Oct 28, 2026 7:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Nov 9, 2026

Job Description

PURPOSE STATEMENT

This position is responsible for assisting the bus driver with the transportation of special education students and other authorized persons on "to and from school" routes and on extra activity trips as authorized by school district officials.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Under general supervision, assist the bus driver on scheduled routes and/or all types of trips in support of district approved activities.


• Maintain control of student passengers as related to safety. Report unsafe acts or conditions which require the attention of the bus driver or school district officials.


• Provide necessary assistance to special needs of handicapped children and young adults.


• Responsible for assisting ambulatory students as well as students with wheelchairs when loading, unloading, and seat-belting. Operate various bus elevator lifts.


• Install all necessary restraints on students in wheelchairs and other types of conveyances.


• Provide watchful vigilance over students at all times. Inform the Transportation Director or Coordinator, Bus Driver, school Health Clinician, Teacher, or other school district official of unusual behavior such as vomiting, seizures, or any other unusual behavior.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• Perform basic first aid as appropriate which may include CPR.


• Attend transportation in-service meetings and training as necessary.


• May serve on various district committees and/or departmental work teams.


• Perform related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

• Reports to the Transportation Director or designee.


• Receives direction and guidance from the Transportation Coordinator and the assigned Bus Driver.

MENTAL DEMANDS

• Required to deal with a wide range of student, staff and public behaviors and needs in a positive and service oriented manner.


• May experience shifts in work schedule according to district transportation needs.


• May occasionally deal with distraught or difficult students or parents.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Required to sit for prolonged periods of time.


• Must be able to bend, stoop, and kneel as necessary to secure wheel chairs on the bus.


• Must be able to assist the Bus Driver with students getting on and off the bus.


• Ability to lift and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• High School diploma or GED.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.


• Knowledge/awareness of own cultural identity and how this influences behavior, and desire to learn about the cultural identity of others.


• Ability to establish and nurture an environment that promotes cultural competence and equitable treatment of staff, students, and patrons of the district.


• Ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, and parents.


• Possess the desire to be a role model for students and to interact positively with students.


• Knowledge of operation of emergency school bus equipment and accessories including but not limited to two-way radio, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, highway warning kit, snow chains, etc.


• Knowledge of safety and security procedures.


• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the public.

Licenses/Special Requirements

• Posses or have the ability to obtain a valid First Aid card including CPR.


• Requires fingerprinting and background check to determine that there have been no convictions involving physical molestation, abuse, injury or neglect of a minor.


• Must complete Walla Walla Public Schools Risk Management and Bloodborne Pathogens Training upon hire.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Para Educator on the PSE Classified Salary Schedule A


• 4.5 hours per day and 190 days per year

CONDITIONS

The preceding list of essential functions is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.

The Walla Walla School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The Walla Walla School District will also take steps to assure that national origin persons who lack English language skills can participate in all education programs, services and activities. For information regarding translation services or transitional bilingual education programs, contact [phone]. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator

Title IX Coordinator

Dr. Mindy Meyer, Director of HR

364 S. Park Street

Walla Walla, WA 99362

[phone]

Section 504/ADA Coordinator

Barb Casey, Director of Special Education

364 S. Park Street

Walla Walla, WA 99362

[phone]

Position Type: Full-Time
Salary: $21.49 Per Year

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Shari Strickland , Human Resources Specialist


• District Office


• Phone: [phone]


• Email: [e-mail]