This is a full-time position that include benefits. The candidate must possess a high school diploma or equivalent along with a valid commercial drivers license issued by the State Department of Safety with the appropriate endorsements for the position. Qualified candidates must also possess a valid operators license with a minimum of five years unrestricted driving experience. A physical examination report using the form provided by the State Commissioner of Education must be submitted to the Transportation Coordinator. Annual examinations are required. See the job description below for more information.
Our salary schedules may be accessed here.
Reports to:
Principal
Director of Transportation
Job Summary
The Bus Driver/Educational Assistant serves a dual role providing safe and dependable transportation for students with disabilities and offering essential classroom support within a self-contained special education setting. This position ensures the well-being of students during transport and actively contributes to their development and daily routines while in the classroom.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Duties and Responsibilities - Transportation
- Operates the vehicle safely in compliance with all state and local traffic laws and
- Assist students and helps in maintaining a safe environment when not operating the vehicle.
- Maintains a neat appearance demonstrates courtesy to students and parents and cooperates with teachers and school officials.
- Attends required state-sponsored safety training to maintain current certifications.
- Remains on the bus whenever students are onboard including during loading and unloading.
- Promotes and encourages safe behaviors among student passengers.
- Reports student misconduct to the principals of the respective school.
- Transports authorized students and ensures that students are discharged only at approved stops.
- Reports all accidents to the appropriate law enforcement agency and competes all required documentation
- Refrains from using profanity or tobacco in any form while transporting students and never operates the vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Completes daily routes in a timely manner keeps the vehicle clean and coordinates routine maintenance with the district mechanic.
- Meets with the director of transportation annually or as needed to receive student assignments.
- Notifies the director of transportation of any absence and when possible arranges for a qualified substitute.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Duties and Responsibilities Educational Assistant
- Provide direct support to the teacher and students in a self-contained special education classroom.
- Assist with daily classroom routines including arrival breakfast instructional activities transitions lunch rest time and dismissal.
- Support instructional activities by facilitating small groups assisting with behavior management and providing individual support including hand-over-hand assistance when needed.
- Monitor and assist with personal care needs including toileting diapering dressing and hygiene in a respectful and developmentally appropriate manner.
- Assist with maintaining classroom organization cleanliness and safety standards.
- Provide supervision during teacher absences emergencies or lunch duty as needed.
- Demonstrate physical emotional and mental readiness to support young children with diverse learning and behavioral needs.
- Maintain confidentiality and uphold ethical conduct in all interactions and responsibilities.
- Maintain all required certifications including a valid CDL with appropriate endorsements CPR/First Aid certification (PreK) and mandatory in-service training hours.
- Exhibit a positive team-oriented attitude and communicate professionally with staff students and families.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Education and Experience
- A high school diploma or GED or equivalent.
- Required Licenses or Certifications
- Possession of a valid commercial drivers license issued by the State Department of Safety with appropriate endorsements or willing to be trained to obtain a CDL license.
- Possession of a valid operators license with a minimum of five years of unrestricted driving experience.
- Must submit a physical examination report using the form provided by the State Commissioner of Education to the Transportation Coordinator upon employment; annual examinations are required.
- Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable
Required Licenses or Certifications
- Completion of the two-hour health and safety training
- CPR and First Aid certification
- Annual in-service training (30 hours total including 6 literacy-focused hours).
- Handle with Care training as applicable
Key Competencies
Knowledge of
- Safe driving practices applicable traffic laws and school transportation regulations.
- Proper procedures for loading securing and assisting students with disabilities and behavioral challenges.
- Emergency response protocols including accident reporting and student safety procedures.
- Basic academic subjects (arithmetic grammar spelling language reading).
- Basic instructional methods and techniques.
- Correct usage of grammar spelling punctuation and vocabulary.
- Safe classroom practices and appropriate student conduct.
- General concepts of child growth development and behavior characteristics.
- Standard office and classroom equipment including relevant software
Skill in
- Operating a commercial vehicle safely and efficiently in various traffic weather and road conditions.
- Managing and maintaining order among student passengers while promoting a safe and respectful environment.
- Performing basic vehicle inspections and coordinating routine maintenance needs.
- Maintaining student confidentiality and handling information securely.
- Maintaining accurate complete and correct student records.
- Being understanding patient and receptive towards students of various age groups temperaments and abilities.
- Utilizing instructional materials assistive technology and communication devices for students
Ability to
- Act calmly and appropriately in emergency or high-stress situations involving student passengers.
- Maintain professionalism and communicate respectfully with all stakeholders.
- Follow established schedules and routes reliably adjusting to changes or delays while maintaining safety.
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with students parents teachers and staff.
- Physical Demands and Working Conditions
- May require lifting objects exceeding 25 lbs.
- Other physical demands include pushing pulling climbing stooping kneeling reaching talking hearing and seeing.
- Adaptability to performing a variety of duties often changing tasks without loss of efficiency or composure.
- Ability to understand instructions reason make judgments and perform arithmetic operations accurately.
- Ability to move hands easily manipulate small objects and make visual comparisons/discriminations.
- Low to medium discomfort from exposure to temperature fumes dirt dust noise and cleaning chemicals.
- Work environment is primarily within a school setting (classrooms recess field trips lunch periods etc.) and primarily on a school bus.
- Role involves direct interaction with students movement between classrooms and managing various student behaviors.
- Requires operating a school bus in diverse traffic and weather conditions including early mornings and late afternoons.
- Regular exposure to noise vibrations and potential student behavior challenges(physical or verbal outbursts).
- Duties involve assisting students with physical emotional or cognitive disabilities during transit including operating wheelchair lifts and securing mobility devices.
- Requires sitting for extended periods occasional lifting bending and physical assistance of students.
- Safety protocols must be followed at all times.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions
The physical demands and working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the listed functions.
- This job may require lifting of objects that exceed 25 lbs. Other physical demands that may be required are as follows:
- Pushing and/or pulling
- Climbing
- Stooping and/or kneeling
- Reaching
- Talking
- Hearing
- Seeing
- Adaptability to performing a variety of duties often changing tasks without loss of efficiency or composure.
- Ability to understand instructions reason make judgments and perform arithmetic operations accurately.
- Ability to move hands easily manipulate small objects and make visual comparisons/discriminations.
- Low to medium discomfort from exposure to temperature fumes dirt dust noise and cleaning chemicals.
- Work environment is primarily within a school setting (classrooms recess field trips lunch periods etc.) and primarily on a school bus.
- Role involves direct interaction with students movement between classrooms and managing various student behaviors.
- Requires operating a school bus in diverse traffic and weather conditions including early mornings and late afternoons.
- Regular exposure to noise vibrations and potential student behavior challenges (physical or verbal outbursts).
- Duties involve assisting students with physical emotional or cognitive disabilities during transit including operating wheelchair lifts and securing mobility devices.
- Requires sitting for extended periods occasional lifting bending and physical assistance of students.
- Safety protocols must be followed at all times.
Terms Of Employment
Salary and work year to be established by the Board.
Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be a complete list of responsibilities duties and skills required of personnel so assigned.