On-Call Substitute Bus Driver (Contract)

Heartwood Community School; Ridgeland (SC); On-site; USD 46,838 - 49,593; Part time

Job summary

Heartwood Community School is seeking a responsible on-call School Bus Driver to transport students on early morning and afternoon routes. The role emphasizes safety, punctuality, and positive conduct on the bus. You will inspect vehicles, maintain records, and support a welcoming, supportive school environment.

Flexibility for short-notice shifts and a commitment to serving Jasper, Beaufort, and Hampton Counties is required. Compensation is $35/hour and contractors pay their own taxes.

Qualifications

• CDL with passenger endorsement and school bus certification are required, OR comprehensive internal training provided.
• Willingness to pass SC State School Bus Driver certificate requirements.
• Clean driving record for past 5 years.
• Pass background check and drug screening.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate a school bus to transport students to and from school following established routes.
• Conduct pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections.
• Maintain a clean and orderly bus environment.
• Monitor student behavior and ensure safety protocols are followed.
• Maintain accurate records of mileage, student counts, and incidents.
• Complete required safety training and maintain certifications.

Skills

CDL with P endorsement

Safety-conscious

Customer service

Communication

Reliability

Punctuality

Experience with elementary children

Job description

WHO WE ARE

Heartwood Community School is a community-focused, tuition-free charter school serving Jasper, Beaufort, and Hampton Counties in South Carolina. We believe in educating the whole child—nurturing each student academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. Honoring every child’s unique journey, we bridge home and school to foster a compassionate, empowering environment where students feel seen and valued.

Our mission goes beyond academics; we guide students to become resilient problem-solvers, compassionate community builders, globally minded citizens, emotionally intelligent leaders, and lifelong learners. Embracing mistakes as part of growth, we equip students to thrive in school and life—ready to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking a mission-driven professional who shares our unwavering belief that access to high-quality education is a fundamental right, and that reliable transportation should never be a barrier to that access. The ideal candidate will understand that they are often the first and last school representative our students see each day, and embrace the responsibility of creating a warm, welcoming environment that sets students up for success.

We hold ourselves to high standards and embrace accountability in our pursuit of excellence in all aspects of our work – including ensuring our students arrive safely and on time each day, ready to learn and grow. High-performing people who desire to join us in our mission to change the status quo of education in South Carolina, starting with removing transportation barriers for our families, are encouraged to apply.

THE OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking a responsible and safety-conscious individual to join our on-call Bus Driver team. This position allows you to play a vital role in both safely transporting our students and ensuring they remain in a positive, encouraging environment. The ideal candidate will demonstrate commitment to safety, excellent customer service skills, be available on short notice to cover shifts, and a passion for supporting our school community.

BUS DRIVER DUTIES (Early Morning & Afternoon)

• Safely operate a school bus to transport students to and from school following established routes
• Conduct thorough pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections
• Maintain a clean and orderly bus environment
• Monitor student behavior and ensure safety protocols are followed
• Maintain accurate records of mileage, student counts, and any incidents
• Complete all required safety training and maintain appropriate certifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Either
  • Valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with passenger endorsement and school bus certification, OR
  • We provide comprehensive support including:
    • Dedicated mentoring from experienced drivers
    • Flexible training schedule to accommodate your needs
• Willingness to comply with SC State School Bus Driver certificate requirements
• Clean driving record for the past 5 years
• Proven reliability and punctuality
• Ability to maintain professional relationships with students, parents, and staff, including:

• Experience or demonstrated comfort working with elementary-age children
• Ability to manage student behavior positively and effectively while maintaining a safe bus environment
• Patience and understanding when working with young children
• Skill in communicating with children at an age-appropriate level
• Ability to establish and maintain consistent routines that help young students feel secure and supported
• Physical ability to assist students and handle emergency situations
• Ability to pass background check and drug screening
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to maintain professional relationships with students, parents, and staff

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous school bus driving experience
• Experience in facilities maintenance or operations
• Bilingual English/Spanish abilities
• Previous experience working in a school environment

SCHEDULE

• Split shift position (approximately 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM for bus routes)
• This is an ON-CALL position with no set schedule. This position is for individuals willing to be available to step in on an as needed basis. This would include the following scenarios: Our Full time bus drivers are on vacation, are unavailable due to illness, and have requested time off. We will do our best to provide as much notice as possible in regard to filling the time slots needing coverage.

COMPENSATION

• Compensation for this role is $35/hour

To uphold our commitment to equitable and fair compensation, we offer competitive compensation and have a no-negotiation policy. Please note that this role is classified as an independent contractor. As such, the individual(s) hired will be responsible for paying their own taxes and Heartwood Community School is not responsible for withholding taxes on their behalf.

At Heartwood Community School we are committed to building a talented team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.