Bus Driver

School-Based Bus Driver
Transportation Department

Full-Time, 10 Months
Non-exempt, driver step scale 

The School-Based Bus Driver operates school buses and other vehicles for the purpose of transporting students to and from designated locations.  Additionally, this position supports individual school efforts to provide administrative, clerical, and human support in assisting in the management, oversight, and care for students.  While supporting school-based support efforts, this position operates under the direction and supervision of school-based staff.   Essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Safely operates a school bus over long distances across interstate and state primary roads at sustained legally allowed speeds, in a manner that fosters a safe and conscientious image to the public;
• May carry out instructional plans as designated by school-based staff, to include classroom set-up;
• May support teachers in student discipline;
• Assists in physical movement of students from one learning environment to another;
• Supervises students in lunchroom or during teacher planning period;
• Supervises students during free time and other non-instructional periods as directed by the classroom teacher; 
• Participates in school-based meetings when driving schedule allows;
• Assists with toileting, feeding, and positioning of students; 
• Conducts safe and orderly loading and unloading of students at specified stops;
• Maintains order and discipline on the bus;
• Attends pre-service, in-service, and other required meetings pertaining to the job;
• Performs routine operator care to include: washing the bus; sweeping interior; checking equipment and reporting defects; and presenting bus for regularly scheduled maintenance;
• Accomplishes and submits daily mileage reports and bus conduct reports, as required;
• Checks email regularly; Maintains daily time records via iPod; Ensures timely submission of timekeeping data to department administration;
• Responsible for ensuring all accidents are immediately reported to a Driver Supervisor;
• Installation of tire chains as required;
• Performs related duties as required.

Qualifications:  Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school. Some experience using computer hardware and software preferred. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Satisfactory health condition as certified by competent medical authority. Must demonstrate the ability to successfully complete the Virginia Education Department training curriculum for school bus drivers and obtain a Commercial Driver's License with appropriate school bus endorsements within the probationary period. Complete State and County requirements of twenty hours of classroom and twenty hours of behind the wheel instruction. No reckless driving or driving under the influence convictions within five years and/or fewer than two moving violations within 12 months of employment.

Considerable knowledge of: ACPS vehicles approved for student transport; local, state and federal traffic laws and regulations; the operation of medium and light automotive equipment; Local, State and Federal traffic laws and regulations; road, street and school locations within the County; the proper use and operation of two-way radio equipment. 

Ability to: develop and maintain a positive attitude toward students; communicate and develop effective working relationships with students, parents, and staff; develop and maintain an empathetic attitude toward disabled students; learn computer hardware and software applications to include iPod usage and Microsoft Outlook Email; communicate and develop effective working relationships with students, parents and staff. English language proficiency is required per Code of Virginia 46.2-341.14. Promotes cultural understanding and competency and an organizational climate of equity and inclusion.

Physical Condtions and Nature of Work Contacts:   Work is typically performed inside and around the exterior of a school bus and in typical school settings (e.g. classroom, gym, cafeteria, auditorium, and recreational areas). Frequent walking, standing, bending, stooping, crawling and climbing to inspect on and under a school bus is necessary. Occasional movement of students by wheelchairs and other mechanical devices may be required. Occasional lifting of equipment such as audio-visuals weighing up to 50 pounds may be required. Frequent contact with driver supervisors and students is required. 

Occasional contact with principals, parents and the public is required. 

Occasional meetings with principals and parents are necessary. Person shall have no impairment of the use of a foot, leg, hand, finger, or an arm, and no other structural defects or limitation likely to interfere with the ability to control and safely drive a school bus. Must have the physical ability to pull the emergency brake knob; able to operate all operational switches; able to reach the gas and brake pedals while safely sitting in the bus seat on all types of buses within the bus fleet; and jump from or climb up to a least 3.5 feet, at the emergency door, to assist in the evacuation of the students. 

Occasional operation of vehicles during inclement weather is required.

Occasional attendance to parent conferences, building-level meetings and division wide meetings and training activities beyond normal assigned hours is necessary. Daily personal close contact with children to provide classroom management and learning environment support is required. Regular contact with other staff members, parents and medical professional may be required. Contacts with community and division-level staff may require considerable tact and diplomacy.

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