Mankato - School Bus Driver

Palmer Bus Service of Mankato & MVL; Avalon (MN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Palmer Bus Service of Mankato & MVL in Minnesota seeks a CDL Route Driver to safely transport students to and from school and on field trips. You will perform pre-trip inspections, adhere to safety procedures, manage student behavior, and report incidents to the Site Manager. Strong knowledge of safety practices, emergency evacuation techniques, first aid/CPR, and regulatory compliance is required. The role emphasizes reliability, independent work, and maintaining the bus and records.

Qualifications

• Must possess Minnesota Commercial Driver's License with passenger and school bus endorsements.
• Knowledge of safety practices and procedures.
• Understanding of emergency evacuation techniques.
• Ability to administer basic first aid or CPR if required by district.
• Knowledge of state regulations and laws for school buses and child behavior.

Responsibilities

• Report to the bus garage before scheduled departure and coordinate with dispatcher.
• Perform DOT pre-trip inspection and radio check prior to each route.
• Safely transport students to and from school, and to field trips and events.
• Enforce safety rules and report incidents to Site Manager or school authorities.
• Safely operate the bus following traffic laws and avoid hazards.
• Check bus for left-behind children and maintain cleanliness after trips.
• Document accidents promptly and file reports.
• Maintain bus by monitoring fuel levels and scheduling maintenance as needed.
• Attend meetings and training to perform job functions effectively.

Skills

Safety knowledge

Emergency procedures

First aid/CPR

Regulatory compliance

Child behavior handling

Job description

Description

Job Purpose

The CDL Route Driver Driver is responsible for safely transporting students to and from school, and to transport students and school district authorized passengers on field trips, activities and special outings as assigned.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Report to bus garage before scheduled departure time to check with dispatcher for any changes in normal duties or student passenger changes.
• Perform DOT required pre-trip inspection and complete a radio check before starting each route.
• Pick-up students at assigned stops, ensuring children safely board the bus and are seated before proceeding to the next stop.
• Enforce rules for proper discipline during ride. Report to Site Manager any student who refuses to cooperate in observing safety rules. Report of any serious incident and communicate with the Site Manager so matter can be discussed with school authorities.
• Safely operate the bus by following all traffic laws, state and federal transit regulations. Carefully navigates roads, watch for ice, debris or slippery stops. Follow safety procedures to ensure that they and all students are safe.
• Check the bus upon arrival at the bus garage to ensure that there is no child left on the bus.
• Transport students and school district authorized passengers to field trips, sporting events and other activities.
• Report accidents immediately to the Site Manager and promptly completes the accident report.
• Properly maintain the bus by keeping fuel levels above half a tank or filled up after the completion of a trip. Sweep and clean the interior of the bus after each trip, or as needed or at least once a week. Alert office staff of maintenance needs.

Other Functions

• Attend meetings, in-service training, workshops, etc. for the purpose of gathering information required to perform job functions.
• Perform other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the vehicle.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Specific knowledge-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include:

• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Minnesota Commercial Driver's License with passenger, school bus and air brake endorsements. Must maintain once acquired.
• Strong knowledge of safety practices and procedures.
• Understand emergency evacuation techniques.
• Administer basic first aid and / or be CPR certified if required by district.
• Knowledge of health standards and hazards.
• Understand state regulations and laws pertaining to the operation of school buses; and child behavior.

Specific skill-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include:

• Able to adhering to safety practices.
• Prepare and maintain accurate records.
• Operate equipment used in transporting special needs students.

Specific ability-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include:

• Be reliable and capable of working independently.
• Patience and firmness for dealing with children.
• Be attentive to detail.
• Display tact and courtesy, establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Communicate with diverse groups.
• Able to maintain confidentiality.

Requirements

Physical Requirements

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands:

• Generally, the job requires 90% sitting, 5% walking, and 5% standing