A bus driver is responsible for safely driving students to and from school on a schedule assigned by the director of transportation. The driver must be punctual and reliable, arriving at work on time every day.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Certification
- Commercial Driver’s License-Class A or B with P&S Endorsement’s plus 2 years experience driving an automobile.
- Successful completion of behind-the-wheel training.
- Successful completion of 20-hour Texas Department of Public Safety Certification Course.
- Must pass randomly administered drug and alcohol tests; refusal constitutes an automatic positive.
- Clearance on criminal history check.
- Acceptable references.
- Must pass an annual DOT physical examination by an appropriate health professional designated by the district.
- Have an interest in and liking for children and young adults.
Special Knowledge/Skills
- Ability to operate all types of buses in the SISD Fleet safely and effectively.
- Ability to follow written and verbal instructions in English.
- Ability to manage students in a safe and appropriate transport environment.
- Ability to communicate effectively with parents and students.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of all records.
- Ability to communicate orally and in written form with all levels of management both internal and external.
Experience
- Must be at least 21 years of age.
- Acceptable motor vehicle record.
Performance Responsibilities
- Check mailbox before each run for messages and advise Office Staff of any communications from school, parent or radio.
- Conduct necessary record keeping functions in conjunction with local and state reporting.
- Ensure the safe transportation of students to and from school.
- Observe all traffic laws and safety regulations for the operation of school buses.
- Preventively maintain the assigned bus; keep it clean, fueled, and ready for service.
- Maintain current route maps and folders and obtain supervisor approval for all changes.
- Comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) to safeguard student records, behavior, and readership confidentiality.
- Student medication is not to be transported on the bus.
- Maintain an appropriate student management environment and report incidents to appropriate administrators.
- Communicate with schools, the public, and students in a manner that encourages cooperation and respect.
- Use a First Aid/Bio-Kit and be prepared to handle bodily fluids and other contagions.
- Identify by name all students who ride the bus.
- Maintain up-to-date seating charts for all runs and submit updated copies to Operations.
- Follow the assigned route and adhere to established schedules.
- Complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections before and after each run and submit work orders for needed repairs. Operate communication equipment properly.
- Demonstrate bus evacuation procedures to students on the bus.
- Report all accidents, vehicle damage, and student injuries and complete required reports.
- Be aware of all students’ disabilities and special needs; report medical problems experienced by students while being transported.
- Drive the bus on extracurricular activities as needed.
- Operate all emergency equipment and exit points, including front, rear, side doors, roof hatches, and emergency windows.
- Assist passengers immediately regardless of location in the bus.
- Evacuate the bus safely and timely from any emergency exit.
- Fit behind the steering wheel of all SISD school buses without obstructing steering wheel movement.
- Adapt to different assignments, student populations, and campus requirements daily.
- Other duties as assigned by the Operations Supervisor.
Mental Demands / Physical Demands / Environment Factors
- Possess mental maturity and emotional stability to operate the vehicle safely with distractions from sometimes loud and boisterous students.
- Maintain emotional control under stress.
- Occasional district travel; occasional prolonged and irregular hours.
- Walking – move about on foot.
- Carrying – transport an object by hand.
- Crouching – bend the body downward and forward by bending knees and spine.
- Climbing – ascend and descend stairs.
- Lifting – able to lift 25–60 lbs.
- Kneeling – bend legs at the knees to rest on them.
- Pulling – exert force to move an object toward the force.
- Pushing – exert force to move an object away from the force.
- Reaching – extend hands and arms in any direction.
- Bending – move at the waist downward and upward with reasonable mobility.
- Use a Bio-Kit and be exposed to bodily fluids and other contagions.
- Exposure to extreme weather conditions and fluctuations in temperature.