Job Summary
split shift
SUSD Is Proud To Offer a Comprehensive Benefit Package:
- FREE health benefits through Kaiser for Employee and Family
paid sick leave, vacation, and floating holiday
- $5,000 Sign On Bonus-Must apply between September 4, 2026-December 31, 2026
Job Description / Essential Elements
SCHOOL BUS DRIVER
DEFINITION
Transport students, including those designated as Special Needs, safely from designated bus stops and/or school/therapy sites while operating a van or bus with a capacity up to ninety-one (91) passengers; and perform related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receive general supervision from the Director of Transportation and/or the Transportation Operations and Vehicle Maintenance Supervisor(s). Receive technical guidance from the School Bus Driver Instructor(s)/Delegated Behind the Wheel Trainers. Receive assignments and routes from Operations Supervisors School Bus Driver Specialist(s). May provide guidance to other adults aboard bus.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES -
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Transport students from designated bus stops to schools and/or activities to meet the student needs and assist with other routes when breakdowns or other unusual circumstances occur, as assigned.
- May lift students, and assist students into and out of bus as needed; escort students across streets when necessary.
- May operate a mechanized wheelchair and/or lift to load, unload and ensure security of students and equipment.
- Adhere to all Transportation Department and District policy.
- Comply with all California and Federal Rules and Regulations regarding School Bus and Commercial Drivers.
- Execute legally mandated daily pre-trip inspection. Maintain and complete accurate pre-trip inspection records. Report discrepancies and initiate corrective action.
- Establish and maintain behavioral order among students, encouraging proper student conduct at all times; issue and complete necessary behavior citation paper work, communicate with parents and/or administrators regarding student behavior, occasionally attend parent conferences/IEP meetings.
- Inform and instruct all students regarding rules and regulations of riding the bus/van and evacuation procedure.
- Communicate professionally with all district staff, co-workers, and parents. Communicate to maintenance and dispatch personnel regarding route or equipment problems; follow special instructions from dispatch personnel and Supervisors pertaining to students and their daily schedule.
- Submit reports of vehicle condition, route time and mileage, student ridership, maintenance needs, time keeping, and abnormal occurrences as required. Maintain accurate route cards kept in dispatch at all times.
- Maintain cleanliness of interior/exterior of bus(es) on a daily basis.
- Ensure familiarity with assigned activities and/or field trips/CBI trips before transporting students utilizing the safest and most efficient route while meeting time schedules for departure and arrival.
- Maintain regular and prompt attendance in the work place.
- Maintain a professional appearance; wearing district identification badges at all times while on/in school district property.
- Periodically participate in mandated meetings and in service programs during traditional and non traditional work days and work hours as required.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
- Applicable provisions of the California Vehicle Code, California Education Code, and Board Policy as they apply to transporting all students
- Defensive driving practices and procedures
- Local geography and roadways systems
- Basic first aid
- Laws and regulations governing student transportation
Ability To:
- Safely operate a school bus in all types of weather
- Resolve conflict and maintain discipline among students
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
- Read and interpret maps, schedules and procedural instructions
- Rapidly learn routes and operation of equipment related to duties
- Possess the physical capabilities to sufficiently perform job duties
- Utilize interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy
- Perform basic first aid
Experience And Education:
Any combination of training, experience, and/or education equivalent to:
- Graduation from high school
- Six (6) months of experience involving the regular operation of a school bus for special needs students is desirable.
- Experience working with special needs students is preferred.
License Or Certificate:
- Possession of a valid California Class B Driver License with a Passenger and “S” endorsement
- Possession of an unrestricted California School Bus Driver Certificate (with the exception of “automatic” restriction )
- Valid Medical Certificate
- Valid First Aid if applicable
Working Conditions
- Regular exposure to noise, gasses, fumes, dust and drafts, etc. when vehicle is in operation
- Regular exposure to elements such as rain, high or low temperatures
Physical Requirements
Employees in this position must possess/have the ability to:
- Sit for prolonged periods of time
- Stand and walk for short periods of time
- Occasional bending/stooping; squatting/crouching
- Occasional reaching overhead, above/below shoulders and horizontally
- Occasional pushing/pulling, lifting and maneuvering objects such as wheelchairs with students with a broad range of body weights
- Frequently bend/twist neck to adequately monitor students and traffic conditions
- Lift and/or support/drag up to 150 pounds for short periods of time
- Climb 3 feet of steps into/out of the bus
- Requires continuous use of hands, arms, feet, and legs to push/pull or activate essential controls (pedals, levers and knobs) in recurring operational motions
- Requires a range of simple grasping to firm grasping in order to seize, hold, grasp, turn or otherwise work with hands to turn the steering wheel, shift gears and/or manipulate mechanical levers and controls; as well as to position students in their car seats and/or infant seats; to fasten car/infant seat harnesses and/or belts; to secure students to their wheelchairs or car seats; and to secure the wheelchairs or car seats to the bus
- Hear with or without assistive devices sufficient to hear students, receive communications on radio and hear outside noises sirens, horns, brakes, etc. that are necessary to operate bus safely
- Speak with or without assistive devices sufficiently, professionally and politely to give instructions/commands to students, speak professionally and politely to parents and other staff
- Visual acuity with or without assistive devices sufficient to pass driving test, read signs, road hazards and to be able to operate bus safely in reduced visibility conditions
Hazards
- Exposure to blood-borne pathogens and bodily fluids; exposure to students/parents being physically aggressive and non-compliant
NOTE: SAFETY-SENSITIVE JOB CLASS. EMPLOYEES IN THIS JOB CLASS WILL BE SUBJECT TO RANDOM SELECTION FOR ALCOHOL AND/OR CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE TESTING.
Board of Education approval: 7/10/2012
7/13/2012 MB
Requirements / Qualifications
Experience and Education:
Any Combination Of Training, Experience, And/or Education Equivalent To:
- Graduation from high school
- Six (6) months of experience involving the regular operation of a school bus is desirable or one (1) year of truck driving experience
- Successful completion of the examination for school bus drivers given by the California Highway Patrol
License Or Certificate:
- Possession of a valid California Class B Driver License with a Passenger and “S” endorsement
- Possession of an unrestricted California School Bus Driver Certificate (with the exception of “automatic” restriction )
- Valid Medical Certificate
- Valid First A id if applicable