Head Start Teacher Aide / Bus Driver

SCMCAA; Poplar Bluff (MO); On-site; USD 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

SCMCAA is seeking a Head Start Teacher Aide/Bus Driver to support classroom activities and safely transport Head Start children to and from the center. The role combines instructional support with responsible bus operation, requiring a CDL and strict adherence to safety standards.

You will assist in daily activities, develop lesson plans, conduct home visits, and participate in training. The position emphasizes teamwork with staff, parents, and management to promote positive development.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Possess or obtain a CDA credential within six months of hire.
• Knowledge of program curriculum, developmentally appropriate practice, and performance standards.
• Relate to children and parents in a positive, constructive manner.
• Develop and implement classroom activities based on children’s needs.
• Work well with center staff, parents, and managers.
• Operate assigned vehicle with current CDL and endorsements.
• Know bus safety regulations and Head Start transportation guidelines.
• Knowledge of basic vehicle maintenance.
• Knowledge of child development and child care/guidance.
• Maintain conduct that promotes a positive image to staff, parents, and community.
• Obtain medical exam and TB assessment within 30 days; annual exams every five years.
• Pass background check, child abuse/neglect screen, drug screen; subject to random testing.

Responsibilities

• Work as a team with teaching staff and assist with daily activities in Head Start.
• Develop weekly lesson plans and activities to meet children’s needs.
• Assist with teaching tasks as per curriculum and standards.
• Assist with home visits, screenings, assessments, and required duties.
• Perform duties of the teacher when necessary due to absence.
• Maintain safe driving habits and enforce passenger rules on the bus.
• Administer first aid and manage emergencies including evacuations.
• Ensure safety restraints are used and monitor passenger safety on the bus.
• Provide communication between staff and parents; be the day’s first and last contact.
• Drive bus for field trips and official Head Start business only.
• Participate in Head Start training and meetings; assist with route planning.
• Maintain emergency supplies and test communication systems regularly.
• Cooperate with all Head Start staff and follow safety procedures.

Skills

CDL license

Bus safety

Child development

Communication with parents

First aid

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Child Development Associate (CDA) credential

Job description

POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Teacher Aide/Bus Driver SALARY RANGE: 7
SUPERVISES: N/A WORK STATION: Classroom/Bus
REPORTS TO: Teacher
Site Supervisor
Education Manager
Transportation Manager

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The Head Start Teacher Aide/Bus Driver is responsible for assisting the Teacher in carrying out daily
activities designed to provide for the physical, emotional, nutritional, social and intellectual
development of the children within an environment that is safe, healthy and conducive to learning.
The Head Start Teacher Aide/Bus Driver is responsible for safely transporting the Head Start children
to and from the center following a pre-determined route, monitoring the passengers and their safety,
maintaining the cleanliness and monitoring the vehicle safety.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Work as a team with other teaching staff and assist with daily activities in the Head Start center
   as required.
2. Develop weekly lesson plans and activities as needed to meet children’s individual needs.
3. Perform teaching tasks as outlined in curriculum and performance standards.
4. Assist with all requirements of teaching position, including home visits, screening and
   assessment of children and other required documentation and duties.
5. Perform duties of the teacher, when necessary due to teacher’s absence.
6. Maintain safe driving habits and an atmosphere on the bus conducive to safety. Posts and
   explains passenger regulations and is responsible for enforcing them.
7. Administer first aid in case of injury, handles all emergency situations including vehicle
   evacuation. Maintains current emergency information on all children and adults in the vehicle
   at all times.
8. Responsible for controlling all passengers on the vehicle and for ensuring that safety restraints
   are used for everyone. There should be a positive atmosphere on the vehicle that will provide
   for learning in a safe and healthy environment.
9. Never leave a child unattended on the vehicle at any time.
   10.Assist children and their parents on and off the bus. Make sure a responsible person, listed as
   approved to pick up child, is home to receive the child. Take a child into a child care center, if
   needed, and assure child is with responsible staff person.
   11.Maintain a clean and safe vehicle.
   12.Conduct daily vehicle inspections, pre-trip and post trip inspections, and report and concerns
   to Area Supervisor.
   13.Obey all state, county and local driving regulations.
   14.Cell phone Usage while driving is prohibited.
   15.Report all accidents to supervisor immediately.
   16.Maintain required documentation concerning mileage, maintenance costs, etc.

17.Provide communication between staff and parents concerning children. Relay messages
between parents and Center Staff. Be positive with parents and children as the program’s first
and last contact of the day.
18.Drive bus for field trips, and other trips.
19.Use the bus for official Head Start and agency business only. The vehicle is not to be used for
breaks, personal errands, etc.
20.Participate in appropriate Head Start training. Attend parent committee meetings, center staff
meetings, in-service training, and other training as required or requested by management staff
and/or supervisor.
21.Ensure that emergency supplies are maintained and properly stored in accordance with
agency policy and procedures. Ensure that communication system is tested regularly and kept
in working order. Communication system is utilized for Head Start business only.
22.Work cooperatively with all Head Start staff.
23.Plan the most efficient route, in cooperation with other center staff, taking weather conditions
into consideration, and make all designated stops unless otherwise advised by Center Staff.
24.Understand responsibility of being a mandated reporter for Child Abuse and Neglect. Read
and understand Child Abuse and Neglect Policy. Failure to follow reporting procedures,
including incidents involving other staff members, may result in termination.
25.Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisors.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. Possess or obtain a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Must begin CDA classes
   within six months of hire date.
3. Knowledge of program curriculum, developmentally appropriate practice, and related program
   performance standards.
4. Relate to children and parents in a positive, constructive manner.
5. Develop and implement classroom activities based on children’s individual needs.
6. Work well with other center staff, parents, and managers.
7. Ability to operate assigned vehicle and possess current CDL license, with all required
   endorsements.
8. Knowledge of all applicable bus safety regulations and procedures. Knowledge of all Head
   Start transportation guidelines and standards.


9. Knowledge of basic vehicle maintenance.
   10.Knowledge of basic child development as well as child care and guidance knowledge.
   11.Maintain conduct that promotes a positive image to staff, parents, agency and community.
   12.Obtain initial medical exam and TB assessment within 30 days of employment. Complete a
   medical exam and TB assessment every five years following initial employment.
   13.Pass background screen, child abuse/neglect screen, drug screen, and be subject to random
   drug testing Maintain conduct that promotes a positive image to staff, parents, agency and
   community.

Additional requirements:
Possess personal qualifications: emotional maturity, willingness to cooperate with the standards of
the program, respect for children and adults, flexibility, patience, good personal hygiene, and physical
and mental health which does not interfere with responsibilities. Must have good verbal
communication skills and visual ability to observe children. Ability to fulfill responsibilities under
pressure, including during emergencies.

Working Conditions:
Risk of exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues. Risk involved with travel on main highways, side
streets and rural roads during the transportation of children. Risk of exposure to communicable
diseases. Must be able to lift 55 pounds, many times a day, climb into the school bus, bend, kneel
and squat frequently. Job requires standing for long periods of time, as well as stooping, squatting,
running; and sitting in child sized chairs and/or on the floor.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by a
person in this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be
performed in such a position, including changes in location, classroom, caseload, and hours. The
Executive Director may, at any time, for disciplinary purposes, the utilization of personnel, or for the
general good of the program, reassign an employee from one position to another position.

___________
I accept the duties and responsibilities as outlined in this position description. This position is not
exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
_________________________________ ______________________
Signature of Employee Date
_________________________________ ______________________
Signature of Supervisor/Mentor Date of Orientation

Rev 8-21