Substitute - Bus Assistant

Bethel School District 403; United States; On-site; USD 27,689; Part time

Job summary

A regional school district in the United States is seeking a Substitute Bus Assistant to assist special needs students during transportation. Responsibilities include securing students, maintaining safety, and collaborating with the bus driver during emergencies. Candidates must have experience with special needs students, possess valid CPR and first aid certifications, and pass a fingerprint and background check. This position offers a wage of $20.10 per hour with the potential for substitute placement throughout the school year.

Qualifications

• Experience with special needs students preferred.
• Valid CPR and first aid certification required.
• Requires fingerprinting and background check.

Responsibilities

• Assist special education students in boarding and departing from bus.
• Maintain safety and health awareness during transportation.
• Respond jointly to emergencies with the bus driver.

Skills

Oral communication skills

Knowledge of district's streets and highways

Crisis management

Ability to work with special education students

Education

Experience with special needs students

Tools

Wheelchairs

Lifts

Restraints

Job description

Position Type: Transportation/ Substitutes

Date Posted: 7/1/2025

Location: TRANSPORTATION

Closing Date: 06/30/2026

Pay for this position: 2025-26 Substitute Bus Assistant Rate: $20.10/hour

This position's responsibilities are to assist a special education bus driver in the loading, unloading and safe transportation of students having special physical needs or behavior disorders.

Essential Functions

1. Assists special education students in boarding and departing from bus; secures them properly in their seats; secures wheelchairs and other support devices.
2. Maintains a high level of rapport with students and parents. Maintains a high level of safety and health awareness when transporting students; observes students for seizures, disruptive or dangerous behavior, personal hygiene and a variety of medical and physical conditions; maintains confidentiality of student conditions.
3. Works together as a team with the bus driver; responds jointly to medical, behavioral, physical, accident and evacuation emergencies as necessary.
4. Operates a variety of lifts, wheelchairs, tie‑downs, harnesses and emergency ramps.
5. Assists in cleaning and sanitizing the bus. Applies cleaning compound as necessary to clean, remove and disinfect spillages of blood, vomit, bodily wastes, etc.
6. Creates a positive atmosphere for students.
7. Maintains current knowledge and skills in the field of special needs students, equipment and emergency procedures.
8. Assists new and substitute drivers in finding routes and student locations.

Other Functions

1. Assists driver in a variety of functions as requested.
2. May serve on various district committees and/or departmental work teams. Models appropriate and cooperative behavior, including protecting confidential information, consistent with district ethical guidelines.
3. Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

Reporting Relationships: Reports to the Director of Transportation; works closely with assigned bus driver.

Mental Demands

Experiences a variety of demands requiring prioritization of responses; may occasionally deal with distraught or difficult students; required to adhere to inflexible schedule deadlines.

Physical Demands

Required to sit for prolonged periods; required to lift, move and carry equipment; potentially exposed to a variety of ordinary infectious diseases carried by students; required to lift, carry, position and restrain students; may need to take precautions to avoid exposure to student’s bodily fluids and cleaning or disinfecting compounds; exposed to diesel fumes when unloading students; required to work outdoors in inclement weather; required to remain confined to a school bus for extended periods of time; may be exposed to biting behavior and the outbursts of severe behavior disordered students; exposed to student and bus noise levels; exposed to equipment such as lifts with a cutting or crushing potential; required to crouch, bend, push, pull and work in other non‑routine positions; required to attend to students' personal hygiene.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Education, training, skills, and experience necessary to carry out the assignment, with experience with special needs students preferred.

Allowable Substitutions

Not applicable.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Skill in oral communication. Knowledge of district's streets, highways and boundaries. Ability to diffuse situations and resolve conflicts. Skill in managing concurrent situations and problems. Skill in dealing with crisis situations. Ability to deal with students in a warm and confident manner. Ability to remain flexible to changes in assignments or situations. Ability to coordinate student needs with parents and district staff. Ability to work with special education students individually or in groups. Knowledge of a variety of physical and behavioral disabilities. Ability to operate special needs equipment such as wheelchairs, lifts, harnesses and restraints. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, parents and students.

Licenses / Special Requirements

Requires fingerprinting and background check to determine that there have been no convictions involving physical molestation, abuse, injury or neglect of a minor. Must complete training in and adhere to district infection control plan. Requires hepatitis‑B immunization. Valid CPR and first aid certification required.

Wages and Benefits

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• Salaries/Wages
• Insurance
• Retirement Plans
• Paid Time Off or Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Other Compensation

Non-Discrimination Policy

Bethel School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Compliance / Gender‑Inclusive Schools Coordinator, Debbie Carlman, [e-mail], 253.800.2019; Title IX Coordinator, Bryan Streleski, [e-mail], 253.800.4302; and 504 Coordinator, Melissa Munson‑Merritt, [e-mail], 253.800.2301. All individuals may be reached at this address: 516 176th Street East, Spanaway, WA 98387. Title IX inquiries may also be directed toward the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Information about the nondiscrimination and sex‑based discrimination policies and grievance procedures, and how to report a concern or complaint: bethelsd.org.