Bus Driver

Alabama State Department of Education; Jonesboro (AL); On-site; USD 19,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

The Alabama State Department of Education is seeking a School Bus Driver to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of student passengers during transportation to and from school and on field trips. The role requires strict adherence to the Alabama Motor Vehicle Code and district policies.

Responsibilities include performing thorough bus inspections, operating routes on a fixed schedule, managing passenger behavior, and maintaining accurate records.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or GED.
• Licensing: Valid Alabama CDL Class B with P and S endorsements.
• State Certification: Alabama State Department of Education school bus driver certification.
• Physical and Medical: DOT physical and pass the School Bus Driver Physical Performance Test.
• Driving Record: Acceptable MVR, no DUI convictions, insurability.
• Background Check: Clear fingerprinting and background checks.
• Drug Testing: Pre-employment drug screening; subject to random/post-accident testing.

Responsibilities

• Vehicle Inspection: Pre-trip and post-trip safety inspections; report defects.
• Route Operation: Drive on assigned route according to schedule; may drive pre-dawn or dusk.
• Passenger Management: Maintain discipline and enforce bus safety rules.
• Safety Protocols: Follow safety regulations and proper railroad crossing procedures.
• Record Keeping and Reporting: Maintain route logs, mileage, passenger counts, and incident reports.
• Cleanliness: Keep bus interior/exterior clean.
• Special Needs Assistance: Assist loading/unloading of students with disabilities with aides where applicable.

Skills

Safety awareness

Record keeping

Education

High school diploma or GED

Alabama CDL Class B (P & S endorsements)

SDE school bus driver certification

DOT medical physical

Job description

Job Overview: The primary responsibility of the School Bus Driver is to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of student passengers during transportation to and from school, as well as on assigned field trips or extracurricular activities. The driver must operate the vehicle safely in accordance with the Alabama Motor Vehicle Code and the rules and regulations of the Alabama State Department of Education

Essential Duties and Key Responsibilities

• Vehicle Inspection: Conduct thorough pre-trip and post-trip safety inspections of the bus, including brakes, tires, lights, and emergency equipment, to ensure it is in safe working order. Report any mechanical defects immediately.

• Route Operation: Drive a school bus over an assigned route according to a strict time schedule, picking up and dropping off students at designated stops. This may require driving during pre-daylight and dusk periods.

• Passenger Management: Maintain discipline and order among student passengers. Enforce bus safety rules and report undisciplined students to the appropriate school administration.

• Safety Protocols: Observe all mandatory safety regulations for school buses, including proper railroad crossing procedures and management of emergency bus evacuations when necessary.

• Record Keeping and Reporting: Maintain accurate route logs, mileage records, passenger counts, and accident or incident reports as required by the local Board of Education.

• Cleanliness: Maintain the cleanliness of the bus interior and exterior, including sweeping floors and wiping down seats regularly.

• Special Needs Assistance: When applicable, work cooperatively with bus aides to assist in the loading, unloading, and securing of students with disabilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent (GED).

• Licensing: Possess and maintain a valid Alabama Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), typically Class B, with Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements.

• State Certification: Meet all Alabama State Department of Education requirements for school bus driver certification. Alabama Aerospace & Aviation High School Page 1 of 2

• Physical and Medical: Maintain a current Department of Transportation (DOT) physical and successfully pass the Alabama School Bus Driver Physical Performance Test.

• Driving Record: Possess an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR), have no DUI convictions, and maintain insurability under the school board’s insurance policy.

• Background Check: Meet suitability criteria for employment under the Alabama Child Protection Act and successfully clear all required fingerprinting and background checks.

• Drug Testing: Provide successful pre-employment drug screening results and remain subject to random and post-accident drug and alcohol testing as required by federal and state law

Physical & Professional Requirements

• Ability to lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds and exert up to 50 pounds of force.

• Agility and stamina to endure prolonged sitting, as well as frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling, and reaching during inspections and emergency situations.

• Physical and visual capacity to operate and navigate the bus safely in varying weather and traffic conditions, including rain, fog, low-light conditions, and heavy traffic

General Employment Expectations

• The School Bus Driver is expected to demonstrate professionalism, reliability, sound judgment, confidentiality, and respectful communication with students, families, staff, and community members. The employee must follow all AAHS policies, transportation procedures, safety expectations, and directives from authorized administrators.

FLSA Status

• Non Exempt