Job Description

Job Title:  School Bus Driver

Supervisor:  Director of Transportation

Contract Length:  174 Days

Job Summary

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.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities Required)

1. Must possess a high school diploma or GED.
2. Must possess a valid class B Commercial Driver's License with Passenger and School Endorsements.
3. Must possess an excellent driving record in compliance with division standards and excellent driving skills.
4. Must possess a good knowledge of procedures and federal/state laws governing the safe operation of a school bus prior to the completion of the division's training course.
5. Must possess knowledge of, or the ability to accurately and quickly learn, local street and road systems.
6. 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.
7. Must possess the ability to maintain student discipline and ensure that student behavior is not a distraction to safe driving.
8. Must possess the ability to recognize and report any unsafe act or condition.
9. Must remain in compliance with state regulations regarding the use of controlled substances and alcohol as applied to school bus drivers.
10. Must meet the mandated physical and mental requirements established by the state and the US Department of Transportation--the school is not permitted to employ individuals that do not meet these standards.
11. Must be capable of working independently and possess the ability to understand and follow through on oral and written instructions.
12. Must possess the ability to interact with students, parents, and faculty in a positive and proper manner.
13. Checks with the transportation department for any changes in normal duties or new student passengers.
14. Ensures that the bus can be operated safely 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.

Essential Duties

1. Operates the vehicle safely over an assigned route, picking up and delivering only authorized students at assigned bus stops, and watches to ensure that no one hurrying for the bus is left behind.
2. 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.
3. Obeys all traffic laws and transportation practices as outlined in the CDL manual, School Board Policy and local ordinances.
4. Observes all mandatory safety regulations for school buses and keeps all emergency exits clear of obstructions.
5. Secures wheelchairs, car seats, and other restraining devices on the bus as needed.
6. Maintains student discipline on the bus and enforces rules governing student conduct.
7. Reports undisciplined students to the proper authority and compiles written reports as needed. 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 emergency exits on the school bus.
8. Reports all accidents immediately, requesting police or ambulance service as needed; assists injured persons until services arrive; and completes required accident reports.
9. Notifies the proper authority in cases of mechanical failure, safety deficiencies, when off schedule, or other incidents.
10. Regulates heating, cooling, and ventilating equipment provided on the bus for the comfort of passengers.
11. Drives students and teachers on field trips, extracurricular activities, and other special events, often in evenings and at night, as assigned.
12. Exercises responsible leadership and appropriate behavior when on school trips.
13. Returns the bus to the assigned bus lot, performs a final inspection, and secures the bus according to procedures.
14. Participates in all required training.
15. Submits to drug testing when required.
16. Maintains a commercial driver's license as required by the State Department of Transportation and maintains Oklahoma School Bus Driver’s Certificate.
17. Models nondiscriminatory practices in all activities.

Other Duties

18. Keeps the assigned bus clean.
19. 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.
20. Performs any other related duties as assigned by the Director of Transportation or other appropriate administrator.

Job Specifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

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. 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 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. In addition, the employee 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.