Professional Driver (School Bus Driver) OR Driver Trainee

clevelandmetroschools; Cuyahoga Heights (OH); On-site; USD 18,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) is seeking Transportation staff to operate a school bus for CMSD and to support student transport to and from school and activities. Driver trainees will train to receive their CDLs, with Professional Driver pay at $21.65/hour and Driver Trainee pay at $12.94/hour.

CDL is required to be considered for the Professional Driver role. Drivers work with a bus assistant on wheelchair lift vehicles, follow all safety rules, keep vehicles clean, and

Qualifications

• CDL license required to be considered for Professional Driver position.
• Driver Trainee positions pay rate differs and CDL training is provided.

Responsibilities

• Operates a school bus for CMSD and transports students to and from school and activities.
• Performs pre-trip and post-trip safety inspections and reports equipment concerns.
• Maintains safe operations, adheres to traffic laws, and follows district safety procedures.

Education

CDL license

Job description

Position Type:

Transportation Job Families

Date Posted:

2026-03-24

Location:

Cuyahoga Heights Depot

ABOUT CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) is Ohio's third-largest public school system, serving more than 35,000 students.

CMSD strives to ensure that every child receives a high-quality education, regardless of the provider. To that end, CMSD lets families choose which District schools their children attend, with options that include STEM, the arts, single-gender education, International Baccalaureate, Montessori, and early college.

Our schools have autonomy over human and financial resources in exchange for accountability for performance. The principal has primary responsibility and accountability for establishing their school as a high-quality, high-expectation academic center focusing on personalized instruction, professional support for teachers, and school-wide practices that lead to measurable results.

CMSD ensures that students have access to technology and training to prepare them for the future. The District provides a free laptop or tablet for every student and connects every family that needs internet access. Graduating seniors leave commencement with not only a diploma but also a laptop.

In our pursuit of a more fair, just, and good system of education, we strive to ensure that all of our learners, both scholars and educators, to be challenged with academically and intellectually complex tasks that are worthy of their efforts and provide them opportunities to demonstrate their best work.

BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES

The Cleveland Board of Education adopted the Building Brighter Futures (BBF) initiative on December 9, 2025. Building Brighter Futures is a strategic and data-driven plan shaped by more than a year of community engagement, information analysis, and thoughtful deliberation. The goal of this plan is to strengthen enrollment and ensure scholars attend a newer school building that offers more educational opportunities, including algebra in the eighth grade, more sports and extracurricular activities, and college credits and college and career pathways in high school. BBF is ensuring academic excellence so every CMSD scholar can thrive.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reports To: Assistant Depot Manager

Pay rate/Salary: Professional Driver pay rate: $21.65/hour

Pay rate/Salary: Driver Trainee pay rate: $12.94/hour

Union: Teamsters Truck Driver, Local 407

Driver Trainees will be trained to receive their CDLs

Professional Drivers MUST hold a CDL in order to be considered to be a Professional Driver

Operates a school bus for Cleveland Metropolitan School District. A school bus driver safely transports students to and from school and/or activities and follows all traffic laws.

Responsibilities

• Complies with all Ohio Administrative Code pupil transportation operation and safety rules.
• Performs pre-trip and post-trip safety inspections. Checks safety equipment and first aid supplies.
• Reports equipment concerns and/or malfunctions in writing immediately.
• Assumes responsibility for the interior and exterior cleanliness of the vehicle. Seeks advice when uncertain about product use, storage or disposal procedures.
• Follow health and safety regulations to clean up blood, body fluids/tissue, etc.
• Fuels the vehicle. Monitors fluid levels (e.g., oil, windshield washer, brake, transmission, etc.).
• Maintains established routes and schedules.
• Suggest route modifications that improve efficiency. - Transports only authorized passengers.
• Reports road hazards or other problems that may impede district services.
• Practices defensive driving. Complies with all motor vehicle laws (e.g., speed limits, complete stops, etc.). Reports traffic citations, accidents, or property damage to the department supervisor.
• Attempts to identify and report vehicles that fail to comply with traffic regulations (e.g., failure to stop for flashing bus lights, passing in prohibited zones, etc.).
• Loads and unloads students at assigned stops.
• Ensure passengers are seated before the vehicle moves. NOTE: The driver and bus assistant work as a team on wheelchair lift vehicles to secure seat belts, wheelchairs and other mobility equipment.
• Communicate rules to students (i.e., expectations and consequences). Assumes responsibility for controlling students on the bus. Keeps supervisors informed about behavior concerns.
• Provides assistance as needed when aware of passengers with medical/health considerations.
• Follows district field trip procedures. Remains available to passengers during trips as instructed.
• Conducts emergency evacuation drills that comply with current state standards.
• Participates in the district's bus safety program as directed.
• Protects district property. Implement procedures to prevent the loss of supplies/equipment.
• Check buses after students are dropped off at school, last stop, and depots.
• Park buses and automobiles in designated slots.
• Complies with drug-