Bus Operator - Early Head Start

MountainHeart Community Services, Inc.; West Virginia; On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

MountainHeart Community Services, Inc. seeks a transportation assistant who safely transports children in the Early Head Start program and supports classroom staff with meals, activities, and safety tasks.

The role requires a CDL with passenger endorsements, a clean driving record, and compliance with DOT and Head Start standards. You will inspect vehicles, maintain records, assist with classroom activities, and participate in meetings and trainings.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• CDL with passenger and school bus endorsements.
• DOT physical certification required.
• First Aid and CPR certifications required.
• Bus Sweep Training completed.
• OSHA training completed.
• Food Handler’s Permit required.
• Clean driving record and safe driving history required.

Responsibilities

• Transports children safely to and from designated locations according to schedules.
• Maintains compliance with Head Start transportation regulations.
• Completes vehicle inspections and monitors maintenance schedules.
• Cleans agency vehicles and ensures safe operation.
• Maintains daily mileage, fuel, maintenance, and service records.
• Reports vehicle concerns and deviations promptly.
• Attends required staff meetings and trainings.
• Supports attendance goals and assists classroom staff with duties.
• Assists with classroom activities, field trips, and safety drills.
• Assists with meal service and maintains kitchen cleanliness.
• Processes purchase requests and manages inventory.
• Communicates professionally with children, families, staff and community members.
• Collaborates with colleagues to achieve agency goals.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Written reports

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or GED

West Virginia driver’s license

CDL with passenger and school bus endorsements

DOT physical certification

First Aid and CPR certification

Bus Sweep Training

OSHA training

Food Handler’s Permit

Job description

Provides safe transportation services for children enrolled in the Early Head Start program. Assists classroom staff with food service, classroom activities, cleaning, and maintaining a safe learning environment.

• Transports children safely to and from designated locations according to established schedules.
• Maintains compliance with all local, state, federal, and Head Start transportation regulations.
• Completes vehicle inspections and monitors vehicle maintenance schedules.
• Cleans agency vehicles and ensures vehicles remain safe and operational.
• Maintains daily mileage, fuel, maintenance, and service records.
• Reports vehicle concerns and operational deviations promptly.
• Attends required staff meetings, trainings, workshops, and in-service activities.
• Supports efforts to maintain minimum attendance requirements.
• Assists classroom staff with cleaning and maintaining instructional and play environments.
• Assists with classroom activities, field trips, fire drills, handwashing, tooth brushing, and toileting routines.
• Assists with food preparation and meal service according to approved menus.
• Maintains clean kitchen, dining, and food storage areas.
• Completes grocery orders and assists with inventory management.
• Processes purchase requests according to agency procedures.
• Communicates professionally and respectfully with children, families, staff, and community members.
• Collaborates with agency colleagues to achieve agency goals and objectives.
• Participates in agency committees as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned to enhance, improve, and accomplish the agency’s mission and strategic goals.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Quantity: Completes work in a timely manner; works quickly.
• Safety and Security: Observes safety and security procedures; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly.
• Attendance/Punctuality: Is consistently at work when scheduled and on time.
• Dependability: Follows instructions and responds to management direction.
• Empathy: Values the feelings of others to ensure pleasant workplace relationships and customer satisfaction.
• Teamwork: Goes above and beyond assigned tasks and collaborates with colleagues to achieve agency goals and results.

Core Values

• Empathy/Compassion
• Teamwork
• Equality
• Respect
• Considerate
• Ethics

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements described are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required.

Basic computer skills are preferred, including familiarity with Microsoft Office applications. Must possess strong communication, organizational, and listening skills. Ability to safely operate agency vehicles and maintain required transportation and program documentation.

Education and/or Experience

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with appropriate passenger and school bus endorsements required.
• Safe driving record required.
• Must maintain required DOT physical certification.
• Must complete Bus Sweep Training.
• Must obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certification as required.
• Must complete OSHA training.
• Must maintain a valid Food Handler’s Permit.
• Must meet all applicable federal, state, and Head Start performance standards.

Required Credentials

Must possess a valid West Virginia driver’s license, clear criminal background, APS/CPS check, and be bondable.

Language Skills

Ability to write reports and business correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from children, families, customers, and the public.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regularly required to stand and walk.
• Frequently required to sit, reach, hear, and talk.
• Must be able to sit and drive for extended periods.
• May be required to lift and/or move up to 45 pounds.

The work environment includes classrooms, kitchen areas, outdoor activities, and transportation vehicles. The noise level in the work environment is generally moderate and temperatures may vary depending upon work location and weather conditions.

Additional Information

ALL PERSONNEL ARE AT-WILL EMPLOYEES

MountainHeart Community Services, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Approved by Policy Council: July 29, 2024