General Description:

Position is responsible for operating a school bus and transporting school-aged children and other authorized personnel safely and efficiently over specified routes to and from schools and various activities. Position conducts pre-trip inspections; observes safety regulations and policies, enforces student discipline on the bus; and performs related work.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Checks with the dispatcher or district transportation supervisor for any changes in normal duties or new student passengers.
• Ensures that the bus can be operated safely before driving and conducts pre-trip safety before driving and conducts pre-trip safety inspections as required by federal and state laws to include observing visual defects and checking operating systems to include brakes, horn, lights, emergency flashers, extended stop arms, and door-opening devices.
• Operates the vehicle safety over an assigned route, picks up and delivers only authorized students at assigned bus stops, and watches to ensure that no one hurrying for the bus is left behind.
• Keeps assigned time schedules, which may require driving during pre-day light and dusk periods, and makes every effort to be on time while ensuring safety.
• Obeys all traffic laws and transportation practices as outlined in the CDL manual, Transportation Department Handbook, School Board Policy and local ordinances.
• Observes all mandatory safety regulations for school buses and keeps all emergency exits clear of obstructions.
• Secures wheelchairs, car seats, and other restraining devices on the bus as needed.
• Maintains student discipline on the bus and enforces rules governing student conduct.
• Reports undisciplined students to the proper authority and compiles written reports as requested in accordance with the Transportation Department Handbook and the Student’s Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.
• Conducts semi-annual bus evacuation drills as required by the Department of Education and implements evacuations as required in an emergency to include safely exiting from the rear of the school bus.
• Reports all accidents immediately, requests police or ambulance service as needed, assists injured persons until services arrive, and completes required accident reports.
• Notifies the proper authority in cases of mechanical failure, safety deficiencies, when off schedule, or other incidents.
• Regulates heating, cooling, and ventilating equipment provided on the bus for the comfort of passengers.
• Drives students and teachers on field trips, extracurricular activities, and other special events, often in evenings and at night, as assigned.
• Exercises responsible leadership and appropriate behavior when on out-of-division school trips.
• Returns the bus to the assigned bus lot, performs a final inspection, and secures the bus according to procedures.
• Participates in all required training.
• Submits to drug testing when required.
• Maintains a commercial driver’s license as required by the Commonwealth of Virginia's Department of Transportation and maintains Red Cross first aid/CPR certification.
• Models nondiscriminatory practices in all activities.
• Keeps the assigned bus clean.
• Maintains an assigned seating chart.
• Reports all safety violations to include co-workers/personnel suspected of drinking alcohol or under the influence of drugs (to include over-the-counter drugs) while working.
• Performs any other related duties as assigned by the Division Transportation Supervisor or other appropriate administrator.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Must meet the mandated physical and mental requirements established by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the U.S Department of Transportation. (NOTE: The school division is not permitted to employ individuals that do not meet these standards)
2. Must possess an excellent driving record in compliance with division standards, excellent driving skills, and must successfully complete the school division’s bus driver training course.
3. Must possess a good knowledge of procedures and federal/state laws governing the safe operation of a school bus prior to the completion the school division’s training course.
4. Must possess knowledge of or the ability to accurately and quickly learn Local Street and road system.
5. Must possess knowledge of or the ability to accurately and quickly learn how to properly secure a wheelchair, car seat, and other restraining devices on a school bus.
6. Must possess the ability to maintain student discipline and ensure that student behavior is not a distraction to safe driving.
7. Must possess the ability to recognize and report any unsafe act or condition.
8. Must remain in compliance with state/division regulations regarding the use of controlled substances and alcohol as applied to school bus drivers.
9. Must be capable of working independently and possess the ability to understand and follow through on oral and written instructions.
10. Must possess the ability to interact with students, parents, and faculty in a positive and proper manner.
11. Must be able to work a flexible schedule.

License/Certification/Education:   

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Meet school bus driver certification requirements (minimum hours of instruction and satisfactorily pass knowledge examination)
• Meet State physical examination requirements.
• Meet local or State standards for driving test.
• Meet local or State standards for driver record check.
• Successfully completed the National Red Cross First Aid Course.
• Must possess a valid Virginia driver's license with school bus and air brake certification OR must acquire one prior to the completion of the division’s classroom training course.
• Must possess basic first aid and CPR certification OR must acquire such prior to the completion of the division’s classroom training course

Physical Attributes/Demands:

Duties are performed on a school bus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to loud noise levels, fumes or airborne particles, noxious odors, vibrations from driving a bus, and traffic. Risk involved with travel on main highway, side streets and rural roads during business travel, including evenings and weekends. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; use foot controls to drive; reach with hands and arms; climb; bend, stoop, and kneel; and talk or hear. The employee must be physically able to perform and demonstrate emergency evacuation procedures. This includes the pushing/pulling of up to 50 pounds. In addition, he/she must have the ability to use emergency exits at any location on the bus. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, night/dusk vision, color vision, and peripheral vision.

Evaluation: 

Performance on this job will be evaluated in accordance with school board policy and administrative regulations on evaluation of classified personnel.