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Newport-Mesa Unified School District invites applicants to join the School Bus Driver Trainee Program. Trainees complete at least 80 hours of training over 4 to 6 weeks, in classroom and behind‑the‑wheel settings, learning to operate a school bus on assigned routes within established time schedules.
Successful completion opens opportunities as a Substitute Bus Driver within the district. Requires a high school diploma, a valid California driver license with required endorsements, and a DMV
New Training Classes Beginning Soon!
The Bus Driver Trainee position is a limited term assignment. Trainees participate in a minimum of 80 hours of training over 4 to 6 weeks in both classroom and behind the wheel settings with the training curriculum consisting of instruction designed to help trainees acquire the necessary skills to operate a school bus over designated routes within established time schedules. Training classes will be scheduled according to need, with classes starting approximately every two months.
Complete and submit your application. All applications must include a recent DMV Driver Record, a copy of a current, valid driver license, and at least 10 years of work history, including time as a full-time student, on unemployment, family leave, etc.
The DMV Driver Record has to be submitted for your application to be considered. The DMV Driver Record may be attached to your application, or emailed to Luz Gonzalez at lgonzalez@nmusd.us.
Applications will be reviewed, and well qualified applicants will be contacted by the Transportation Services to participate in a preliminary interview. Applicants selected to participate in training classes will be contacted by Human Resources.
Trainees receive instruction on the policies, procedures, and laws relevant to safely operate a school bus. Classroom training will also include instruction on obtaining your Commercial Driver License, Special Driver Certificate, and First Aid Certification. Upon completion of DMV Testing components, trainees participate in ride‑a‑longs with experienced drivers.
Trainees receive instruction on how to safely operate school buses from State Certified instructors, including how to properly perform daily pre‑trip inspections of a school bus and other transportation vehicles, preparing reports concerning maintenance needs of vehicles, and behind the wheel training. Instruction will prepare trainees for mandatory CHP Testing.
Upon successful completion of the training program, trainees will be considered for Substitute Bus Driver positions with Newport‑Mesa Unified School District and can begin gaining experience necessary to apply for Bus Driver positions within the district.
Graduation from High School
Possession of a valid Class A, B, or C California Motor Vehicle Operator's License
License Requirement: During training, must successfully obtain; a Valid Class A or B Motor Vehicle Operator's license with passenger transportation, "S", and air brake endorsements, a California Special Driver Certificate valid for school bus driving, and a Current Medical Examiner’s Certificate, Form MCSA‑5876
Insurance Requirement: Trainees must be able to be insured and continue to be insurable by the District's liability insurance carrier.
Applications will be reviewed for minimum requirements. However, Newport‑Mesa Unified School District reserves the right to hold a competitive screening based on the number of applications and the needs of the District.
If you elect to have Newport‑Mesa Unified School District (hereafter, 'District') contact you via email regarding your application and the hiring process, please be aware that the District is not responsible for any contacts you may have blocked on your email service. Unclaimed emails to applicants are not the responsibility of the District. In an effort to allow our emails through your personal spam filter, you can try to add the @nmusd.us and @schooljobs.com domains to your safe senders list.
01
Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent?
02
Do you have a valid California Driver's License (or an out of state license and are willing to obtain a California Driver's License upon offer of employment)?
03
It is mandatory that you provide a copy of your current, valid Driver License to be able to be considered for this position. Did you attach a Driver License with your application?
04
It is mandatory that you provide a copy of your Driver Record issued by the DMV to be able to be considered for this position. Did you attach a recent (no more than 30 days old) printout with your application?
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Does your application include at least 10 years of work history, including time as a full-time student, on unemployment, family leave, etc.
06
Do you have knowledge of safe driving practices and the provisions of the California Motor Vehicle Code?