Bus Driver (Head Start, Part-time)

Lower Columbia College; Longview (WA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Lower Columbia College in Washington state seeks a Bus Driver to provide safe, reliable transportation for students and families.

You will drive assigned routes, perform pre- and post-trip inspections, report safety concerns, and follow all State rules while maintaining a clean vehicle and a professional demeanor. The role is in-person and requires a CDL B with passenger endorsement and proper medical certification.

Qualifications

• Must have a valid Washington CDL Class B with passenger endorsement.
• A current physical examination certifying fitness for duty is required.
• First aid and CPR certifications are required.
• Excellent driving history and clean driving record.

Responsibilities

• Keeps to assigned schedule and fixed routes; follows safety rules at all times.
• Performs pre-trip and post-trip inspections and reports maintenance needs.
• Assists in passenger loading/unloading and ensures children are released only to authorized individuals.
• Maintains a clean vehicle interior and reports safety concerns promptly.

Skills

Excellent driving record

Reliable attendance

Professional communication

Education

CDL B with passenger endorsement

First aid & CPR certification

Job description

At a Glance:

As a Bus Driver, you’ll play a vital role in creating a safe, welcoming, and dependable transportation experience for children and families. You’ll be responsible for driving assigned routes, following all traffic laws, and ensuring every rider arrives safely and on time—making a meaningful impact in their daily journey.

We are hiring drivers to cover routes for the 2026-2027 school year!

9.25 months-11.5 months depending

This position is categorized as a Truck Driver 2, under State of Washington Class Specification. This position is a non-permanent classified position working no more than 19 hours per week. This position will require in person work.

Follow Head Start:

For more on Lower Columbia College Head Start, see the Annual Report and join our Social Media page.

In this role you will have the opportunity to:

• Keeps to assigned schedule, runs fixed routes as written; does not make unauthorized changes to routes or stops.
• Maintains a clean and hygienic environment inside the vehicle; cleans outside as necessary.
• Checks bus before each operation for mechanical defects and report failure to proper person
• Discharge students only at authorized stops and ensures children are released only to an authorized individual
• Punctual; demonstrated good attendance, advises Transportation Manager at least one hour ahead of time if unable to work.
• Creates written reports as necessary, including daily vehicle reports, behavior management referrals, incident reports, etc.
• Conducts a professional pre-trip inspection of every vehicle driven every day and reports suspected mechanical problems at once, which includes all emergency equipment, i.e., first aid kit, fire extinguisher, seat belt cutter and child safety restraint systems
• Completes Daily Vehicle Inspection Reports accurately and in a timely fashion
• Conducts a thorough post-trip inspection for children or other items left on board, or vehicle problems and before entering the school. (Both the driver and monitor are responsible for checking for children).
• Complies with all safety requirements in the Final Rule, all state school bus laws and regulations, and all Program procedures as stipulated in the transportation policy and procedures handbook, memos, notices, meetings, etc. Must be aware of and follow all current transportation laws and regulations.
• Uses reasonable precaution in the performance of all duties. Acts in such a manner as to ensure maximum safety to children, parents, self, the public, and fellow employees at all times.
• Refrains from any act or omission that could jeopardize the safety of children.
• Immediately report (by radio, cell phone or other means) incidents, accidents, or unusual situations that could or did place a child at risk of injury, and willing and able to describe such incidents in writing.
• Reports any significant safety hazards (routes, roadways, changing weather conditions, etc.) to Transportation Manager as soon as possible and prior to proceeding if at all possible.
• Reports any signs of child abuse and/or neglect at once.
• Assists Bus Monitor in ensuring that children's medication is transported in a secure manner and that chain of custody is properly documented.
• Conducts and documents effective safety drills for children and parents.
• With the assistance of the Transportation Manager, prepares written emergency evacuation plans when transporting children with disabilities, and updates plans as necessary.
• When transporting children using wheelchairs or other adaptive equipment, exercises a high degree of caution, in accordance with training, when using a wheelchair lift and securing wheelchairs into the vehicle, and as much as possible avoids sharp turns and bumps, which could injure children in wheelchairs.
• Actively participates in all required training sessions
• Ability to communicate professionally in both routine and unusual situation
• Ability to be flexible and patient in trying situations
• Report all students with behavior concerns to the proper authority
• Other duties as assigned. Exhibits flexibility and tolerance as routes or other conditions change.

This description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, effort, work conditions, and benefits associated with the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be 21 years of age

• Valid Washington State CDL class B Driver’s License, including passenger.

• Minimum of 5 years' experience driving a regular vehicle or 1 years' experience driving a commercial vehicle

• A physical examination certifying the physical capability of doing the assigned job

• Possess a valid first aid card and CPR endorsement

• Enjoy working with children and parents and ability to relate effectively to them

• Any additional health and/or other requirements as the state and/or Lower Columbia College Head Start / EHS / ECEAP Performance Standards may require

• Has not been terminated from a previous driving job due to a safety infraction or a drug or alcohol violation. (Federal law requires commercial vehicle employers to inquire about applicants' job histories of previous commercial vehicle employers).

• Excellent driving record. Driving record must be checked prior to hire.

Bus Driver Physical Requirements include:

• Hearing capability must be sufficient to detect and distinguish traffic sounds occurring from any direction outside the bus, such as horns, whistles, sirens, trains, bells, etc., from a distance which will allow adequate time for defensive or evasive action to avoid a hazardous situation.
• Vision must be 20/40 in best eye, with or without correction; approximately 140 degrees peripheral, which as a single criteria shall not be excluding; and depth perception adequate to reasonably determine distance and closing rate of other moving vehicles from a stationary or moving school bus.
• Eye coordination to avoid diplopia; color vision must be adequate to distinguish the colors of red, green and amber of a traffic light Ability to operate all hand and foot controls installed in a school bus as required by Washington State (minimum) School Bus Specifications.
• Is physically able to maneuver and control a school bus under all driving conditions.
• Is physically able to use all controls and equipment found on state minimum specified school buses.
• Is physically able to perform daily routine school bus vehicle safety inspections.
• Has sufficient strength and agility to move about in a school bus as required to provide assistance to students in evacuating the bus.
• The driver must be able to move from a seated position in a sixty-five passenger school bus, or the largest school bus the driver will be operating, to the emergency door, open the emergency door, and exit the bus through the emergency door, all within twenty-five seconds
• Provide a copy of a current and valid medical examiner's certificate to their employer.

Prior to First Day Employment Requirements

• Washington State Patrol Background Check
• Sex Offender Registry Check

• Current Washington State CDL class B Driver’s License, to include passenger and school (S) endorsement

• Cleared Portable Background Check through MERIT (to include fingerprinting)

• TB test completed within the last year

• Provide Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) or Acceptable Version of CIS in accordance with the Washington Department of Health, to include:

  • MMR Vaccine or proof of immunity to measles

• Valid driver’s license
• Drug and alcohol screening
• Policy Council Approval
• Unofficial transcripts

The minimum qualifications may seem specific and limiting, but we do consider candidates with relatable education, experience, and skills. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet exactly what's listed. With questions about qualifications, feel free to reach out to our HR team.

Residency Requirement

To be employed at Lower Columbia College, applicants must currently reside in Washington or Oregon, or be willing to relocate to one of these states. This is a condition of employment for all positions at the College. Please ensure your application reflects your current residency or intent to relocate if selected for the role.

Lower Columbia College Human Resources

For any questions regarding this job advertisement and/or department or campus culture, please call our Human Resources office at [phone], or email us directly at [e-mail].

Equal Employment Opportunity

Lower Columbia College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendment Act, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act and Washington State's Law Against Discrimination, Chapter 49.60 RCW and their implementing regulations. All Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX, access, equal opportunity and/or grievance procedures should be directed to Jason Arrowsmith, Director of Security, 1600 Maple Street, PO Box 3010, Longview, WA 98632, [e-mail], Phone number, [phone], Phone number/TTY [phone].

• Learn more on our Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment page.

• The college is compliant with Title IX best practices. For more information, visit About Title IX.

• The college encourages qualified members of protected classes to apply.

Jeanne Clery Statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report:

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act of 1998, and as a part of the College's commitment to safety and security on campus, Lower Columbia College reports the mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, the required statistics, and other related information for the past three (3) calendar years. Lower Columbia College's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at lowercolumbia.edu/CleryASFR.

Declaration Regarding Sexual Misconduct

Pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080, applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or professional association or is currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant’s current or past employers or professional association. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who does not complete this form.

Mission, Vision & Values

Our Mission, Vision & Values define our reason for being, and provide the framework for planning and improvement efforts at LCC. For details on LCC's Mission, Vision & Values, see our Strategic Plan.

Conditions of Employment

• If you are hired, you will need to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. citizenship or appropriate legal authorization to work for the duration of this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1995.

• Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

• This position is part of a bargaining unit subject to the WFSE HE collective bargaining agreement.

• The College is committed to maintain an environment for teaching and learning which is free of drugs and alcohol.

• Successful completion of a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening is required.

Anticipated Start Date

LCC offers two start dates for new employees - the 1st and 16th or the closest working day.