Bus Driver-Paid Trainee Program-Transportation 2026/27

Sylvania; Chehalis (WA); On-site; USD 3,444,000 - 3,857,280; Full time

Job summary

Chehalis School District offers a Paid Trainee Bus Driver Program, featuring 60 hours of paid training at minimum wage and employer-paid CDL fees. Upon completion and CDL attainment, the Transportation Driver role starts at $25.68 per hour, with a required at-least-one-year commitment to the district.

The job involves transporting students on scheduled routes, enforcing safety rules, and ensuring vehicle readiness. Training and certification requirements are outlined above.

Qualifications

• Must be a minimum of twenty-one years of age.
• Possess a valid Washington State Driver's License with passenger and school bus endorsements void of any air brake restriction.
• Possess a valid Washington State Commercial School Bus Drivers Certificate.
• Must maintain a valid CPR/First Aid card.
• Ability to pass a physical examination as required by the State of Washington.
• Criminal Justice fingerprint clearance (cost paid by employee) and drug testing clearance.
• Demonstrated aptitude or competence for assigned responsibilities.
• Good driving records.
• Good moral character.
• Reliability, dependability, initiative and honesty.
• Alternatives to the above qualifications as the board may find appropriate and acceptable

Responsibilities

• Drive bus on scheduled routes and for extra school activities; maintain control of passengers en-route.
• Inspect, service and clean school bus and related equipment; report problems.
• Complete records and reports required by policy and procedures.
• Attend required training courses.
• Administer first aid if/when necessary.
• Observe safety/traffic laws; enforce regulations.
• Complete work at assigned stations and keep bus clean.
• Maintain schedule and report mechanical issues promptly.
• Discharge students at authorized stops and ensure safety of students.

Skills

Driver's license

Endorsements

Safety awareness

Reliability

Communication

Job description

Paid Trainee Bus Driver Program

Trainee program includes:

• 60 hours of paid training at minimum wage
• Fees associated with obtaining CDL to be paid by employer
• Trainee agrees to work for the Chehalis School District for at least one (1) year
• Transportation Driver Step 1 after completion of all training and obtaining CDL-$25.68 per hour

The job of Bus Driver is to transport students over scheduled routes and/or special trips in accordance with state laws and district policy; enforcing rules, regulations, and laws to maintain safety during transport; ensuring the vehicle is in safe operating condition and ensuring safety of students during transport, loading and unloading from buses, so that students may enjoy the fullest possible advantage from the district's curriculum and extra-curricular program.

Job Responsibilities:

• Drive bus on scheduled/pre-designated routes and for extra school-related activities; maintain control of passengers en-route; report unsafe passenger activities
• Inspect, service and clean school bus and related equipment; make minor repairs; report mechanical or other equipment problems
• Complete records and reports required by state and local school district policy and procedures
• Attend required training courses
• Administer first aid if/when necessary
• Observe safety/traffic laws; enforce state and local district bus operation regulations
• Install and remove tire chains
• Perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation
• Complete work at assigned workstations
• Consistently deal with people in a courteous and professional manner
• Obeys all traffic laws
• Observes all mandatory safety regulations for school busses
• Maintains discipline when students are on bus
• Reports undisciplined students to the proper authority
• Keeps assigned bus clean
• Keeps to assigned schedule
• Checks bus before each operation for mechanical defects, ensuring the vehicle is in safe operating condition
• Notifies the proper authority in case of mechanical failure or lateness
• Discharges students only at authorized stops
• Exercises responsible leadership when on out of district school trips
• Transports only authorized students
• Completes records and reports required by state and local school district policy and procedures
• Perform other duties as assigned

Job Requirements:

• Must be a minimum of twenty-one years of age
• Possess a valid Washington State Driver's License with passenger and school bus endorsements void of any air brake restriction
• Possess a valid Washington State Commercial School Bus Drivers Certificate
• Must maintain a valid CPR/First Aid card
• Ability to pass a physical examination, requirements of such provided by the State of Washington
• Criminal Justice fingerprint clearance (cost paid by employee), and drug testing clearance
• Demonstrated aptitude or competence for assigned responsibilities
• Good driving records
• Good moral character
• Reliability, dependability, initiative and honesty
• Evidence of previous successful job performance
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the board may find appropriate and acceptable

Licenses, Certifications, Bonding, Testing and/or Training Required:

Commercial Driver's License, passenger and school bus endorsements, void of an airbrake restriction; completion of Special Education training ; First Aid/CPR certification; and DOT physical (some may be provided per the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement).

Skills, Knowledge and/or Abilities Required:

• Skills in the safe operation of a school bus; detection of malfunctioning equipment; assisting children using patience and understanding; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with school officials, parents, school personnel, and students
• Knowledge of safe driving practices; applicable provisions of Washington State RCW and WAC as applies to the operation of vehicles in transporting school children
• First-aid practices and procedures
• General knowledge of the School District including the geography of the Chehalis School District and other districts served
• Ability to meet schedules and deadlines, read/interpret/apply rules, regulations, policies, rapidly learn methods and materials used in a variety of job related situations including the use of maps and following directions; follow oral and written directions and have the ability to get along well with others; work during schedule route times
• Significant physical abilities include stooping/crouching/bending at the waist and knees, sitting for prolonged periods of time, reading/handling, talking/hearing conversations, near/far visual acuity/depth perception/accommodation/field of vision, physical dexterity, arm/leg movement, ability to lift up to 30 lbs.

Compensation and Benefits:

The District complies with State Law regarding SEBB (School Employee Benefits Board)eligibility and benefits. To be eligible, an employee must work 630 hours in the school year. If eligible, SEBB benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability, AD&D Insurance, Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSA), and Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP).

Notice of Non-Discrimination:

Chehalis School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, ethnicity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, homelessness, immigration or citizenship status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, neurodivergence, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to youth development organizations listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society.

Chehalis School District offers classes in many career and technical education (CTE) program areas, including Agriculture, Business and Marketing, Family and Consumer Sciences, Skilled and Technical Sciences, Health Sciences and STEM. Lack of English language proficiency will not be a barrier to admission and participation in career and technical education programs.

The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

El Distrito Escolar de Chehalis no discrimina en ningún programa o actividad por sexo, raza, credo, religión, color, origen nacional, edad, etnicidad, condición de veterano o estatus militar con baja honorable, orientación sexual, expresión o identidad de género, falta de vivienda, inmigración o estatus de ciudadania, la presencia de cualquier discapacidad sensorial, mental o física, neurodivergencia , ni por el uso de un perro guía o animal de servicio entrenado, y garantiza el acceso equitativo a las organizaciones de desarrollo juvenil enumeradas en el Título 36 del Código de los Estados Unidos como sociedades patrióticas.

El Distrito Escolar de Chehalis ofrece clases en varias áreas con programas de educación vocacional y técnica (CTE), incluyendo Agricultura, Negocios y Mercadotecnia, Ciencias de la Familia y del Consumidor, Ciencias Técnicas y Calificadas, Ciencias de la Salud y STEM. La falta de dominio del idioma inglés no será una barrera para la admisión y participación en programas de educación profesional y técnica.

Title IX Coordinator: Tommy Elder, 360-807-7235, [e-mail]

Section 504/ADA Coordinator: Katie Howell, [phone] option 3, [e-mail]

Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator: Leslie Wohld, 360-807-7200, [e-mail]

Career and Technical Education Coordinator: Don Bunker, 360-807-7235, [e-mail]

Address: 310 SW 16th Street, Chehalis, WA 98532