Bus Driver

Bentonville Schools; Bentonville (AR); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Bentonville Schools is seeking a School Bus Driver to ensure safe transportation of students and staff on daily routes and field trips. The role requires strict adherence to safety procedures, routine vehicle checks, and timely reporting of incidents.

Ideal candidates will hold a High School Diploma or GED and a CDL with Passenger and School Bus endorsements. Bilingual English/Spanish is preferred to support diverse riders.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of traffic laws and road signs.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to stay calm and organized under pressure.
• Ability to perform pre-trip inspections and basic bus maintenance tasks.

Responsibilities

• Safely drives a school bus on designated routes during school days.
• Transports students, teachers, and other passengers on field trips and activities.
• Inspects the bus daily and ensures it is clean and safe to operate.
• Maintains student discipline and follows district policies during transport.
• Keeps records of route timing and maintenance and reports any issues promptly.
• Participates in trainings and safety drills as required.

Skills

Knowledge of traffic laws

Verbal and written communication

Ability to work under pressure

Manual dexterity

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bilingual English/Spanish preferred

Job description

Position Purpose

Under the general supervision of the Director of Transportation, to ensure the safe transportation of students, staff, and others to and from school, residential neighborhoods, and field trips.

School Bus Driver

Position Purpose

Under the general supervision of the Director of Transportation, to ensure the safe transportation of students, staff, and others to and from school, residential neighborhoods, and field trips.

Essential Functions

• Safely drives a school bus on days when school is in session over designated routes in accordance with time schedules, loading and unloading students at designated locations.


• Transports students, teachers and others on school field or activity trips.


• Inspects assigned bus on a daily basis prior to transporting of passengers to ensure that bus is in good, clean and safe working order.


• Cleans and refuels bus as needed.


• Ensures that a communication device is in proper working order before each trip.


• Reports all mechanical deficiencies, traffic violations, or accidents, promptly.


• Arranges for and ensures completion of routine maintenance of bus (e.g., oil change); transporting the bus to and from maintenance and/or repair facilities.


• Maintains order and discipline in an effective and courteous manner among students being transported in accordance with district policies and procedures; reports any incidents involving student discipline.


• Observes and tracks route timing, such as total time en-route, time between stops, loading and unloading times or any other requested information for the purpose of establishing route efficiency, as requested.


• Maintains and submits records and reports as required.


• Follows procedures to ensure that no child is left alone on bus without adult supervision at any time, and that all children have departed bus at the end of all bus routes (morning, evening and during field trips or other special trips).


• Inventories bus emergency and first aid supplies and equipment; reports needs to the Director.


• Prepares aides and children for bus drills and ensures bus evacuation drills are held as required.


• In case of accidents/emergencies, evacuates children according to written and practiced procedures, ensures that medical emergency procedures are followed; completes a written report as required.


• Attends and participates in trainings, and other continuing education, career and professional development opportunities.

Additional Duties

• Performs other related tasks as assigned.

Note:

The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.

Equipment

• Uses standard automotive and bus equipment, and telephone.

Travel Requirements

• Travels to and from school district buildings, to vehicle service stations, field trip locations and other destinations are required.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of all traffic laws, regulations, road signs and related information.


• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate the bus, conduct pre-trip inspections, and clean the bus.


• Visual and auditory acuity within professionally determined normal ranges, with correction if needed.


• Effective verbal and written communication skills.


• Effective organizational, problem solving, and time management skills.


• Ability to learn and comprehend information from procedures manuals and other materials. Ability to comprehend and follow traffic signs required.


• Ability to physically move through the bus, center and classrooms.


• Ability to maintain composure and perform responsibilities under pressure and in cases of accidents or other emergencies.


• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards

• Works in standard school bus environment.


• Climbs steps and walks along the aisles of the bus to complete appropriate checks


• Open and closes the bus door, requiring pulling and pushing movements

Qualifications Profile

Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful performance would be qualifying. Typical qualifications would be equivalent to:

Certification/License

• Motor Vehicle Operator's (DMV) License.


• Current Commercial Driver's License (CDL), class B with Passenger and School Bus endorsement.

Education

• High School Diploma or GED.


• Bilingual, both oral and written, ability (English/Spanish) is preferred.

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt