Substitute Bus Monitor - Transportation

Tacoma Public Schools (WA); Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 64,000; Part time

Job summary

Tacoma Public Schools in WA is seeking a Bus Aide for a start date of September 2026. The position is 0.01 FTE and hours per day vary; you will ride the special education buses with students to assist disabled students on and off the bus, monitor safety and help enforce bus rules. Requires high school diploma and training in restraint; CPR/first aid within 30 days; ability to lift and reposition students.

Qualifications

• High school graduation or equivalent and training in physical restraint techniques.
• CPR and first-aid certification or the ability to obtain within 30 days of employment.

Responsibilities

• Assists disabled students with boarding and disembarking from the bus.
• Models and enforces appropriate bus riding behavior; corrects inappropriate behavior and restrains as needed.
• Informs parents/teachers of student physical or behavioral problems.
• Writes disciplinary citations for violations on the bus and ensures proper distribution.
• Ensures students are belted and safety equipment is available; uses safety equipment in emergencies; provides first-aid as needed.
• Monitors students on the bus and follows medical guidelines for individual students.

Skills

Effective verbal communication

Calm under crisis

Patience and good judgement

Ability to lift and reposition

Reliability/attendance

Interpersonal with diverse populations

Education

High school diploma or equivalent; restraint training

Job description

Tacoma Public Schools

Expected Start Date: September 2026

FTE: 0.01

Hours per day: Varies

Salary Level: SUB/PA/1, $28.753hr

Benefits: This position is not benefits-eligible.

The individual in this position rides the special education school buses with students to assist disabled students on and off the bus, monitor student safety, maintain appropriate student behavior, and assist the bus driver in enforcing bus rules.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Assists disabled students with boarding and disembarking from the bus.

2. Models and encourages appropriate bus riding behavior for students; corrects inappropriate behavior; takes measures to stop harmful behavior (i.e., properly restraining student or sitting next to student).

3. Informs parents and/or teachers concerning physical or behavioral problems of students.

4. Writes disciplinary citations for students violating rules of conduct while on bus; distributes copies of citations to students, teacher, and transportation supervisor; ensures that parents sign and return the citations and returns them to appropriate staff members.

5. Ensures that all students are appropriately seat-belted always; operates safety equipment on board bus in case of emergency (i.e., fire extinguisher); provides first-aid care as needed.

6. Monitors all students while on the bus, as instructed; follows guidelines for individual students= medical needs/conditions; may need to provide first-aid, CPR, or other measures in a crisis, as instructed..

OTHER JOB DUTIES

1. Maintains positive relationships with students, parents, and administrators..

2. Performs related duties as assigned..

CONDITIONS

Required to sit in bus for prolonged periods; exposed to high noise levels; required to deal with and/or restrain distraught and potentially violent students; required to lift and/or position students; required to bend or squat to provide first-aid and/or CPR; required to be punctual to work.

Education and Experience

High school graduation or equivalent and training in physical restraint techniques; experience working with school-aged youth having serious behavioral disabilities; or any combination of experience and training which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the work.

Allowable Substitution

Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be evaluated by the Human Resources department for comparability.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Effective verbal communication skills.

Skill in properly restraining students as needed.

Ability to lift and position students, and to bend and squat to aid students.

Ability to relate effectively with children who are behaviorally, physically, or developmentally disabled.

Ability to remain calm in dealing with crisis or hostile situations.

Ability to exercise patience and good judgment.

Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Ability to demonstrate reasonable, reliable and regular attendance.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people in a multi-cultural, diverse socio-economic setting.

Licenses/Special Requirements

CPR and first-aid certification or ability to obtain certification within 30 days of employment.

Fingerprints and successful WSP and FBI background clearance/sexual misconduct clearance.