School Bus Driver
BASIC FUNCTION:
Under general supervision, to drive a school bus over designated routes to safely transport students with disabilities to and from school, field trips, and/or other activities and to clean and perform routine servicing of buses. Employees in this classification receive general supervision from an assigned administrator and work on a regular basis within a well-defined framework of policies and procedures.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
- Drive a school bus over assigned routes in accordance with a specified schedule.
- May adjust the scheduled route in picking up and discharging students, as necessitated by road or emergency conditions.
- Transport students with disabilities to and from designated locations within the County.
- Transport students to and from school, field trips, and/or other activities.
- Enforce policies and procedures and maintain discipline on the school bus.
- Perform daily bus inspections, complete daily vehicle condition report, prepare daily reports of mileage, time, and student loads, and other related forms and reports.
- Maintain interior and exterior bus cleanliness and fluid levels on a daily basis.
- Advise Manager, Transportation, of necessary repairs.
- Load and unload wheelchair students in chairs; may place or remove students from wheelchairs.
- Operate hydraulic lift, when necessary.
- May be required to install snow chains during inclement weather.
- Operate 2-way radio communication system.
- May render first aid or emergency assistance, as needed.
- Report incidents which affect the safety of students.
- Attend staff and inservice training meetings.
OTHER DUTIES:
Perform related duties as assigned.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
An employee assigned to this classification performs duties as a school bus driver of various types of physically and mentally disabled students. Incumbents must have a valid California Class B commercial driver’s license with passenger endorsement and a school bus endorsement; valid DMV School Bus Driver’s Certificate; California Special Driver’s Certificate, valid for driving school buses; current DMV approved Medical Certificate; and a current DOE approved First Aid card if applicable (i.e. Restriction 6 on Special Driver’s Certificate.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
KNOWLEDGE OF:
- Student behavior management strategies and techniques.
- Applicable provisions of the California Motor Vehicle Code, Administrative Code, and Education Code
- Safe driving practices.
- Basic first aid practices.
- City and County roads and state highways in areas traveled.
- County schools requirements regarding pick up and delivery of students.
- Proper hygiene practices and procedures.
- Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
- Oral and written communication skills.
- Methods of collecting and organizing data and information.
- Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
ABILITY TO:
- Drive a school bus up to 26 passengers (which may include any number of wheelchair passengers) safety and efficiently.
- Maintain order and discipline of students on the school bus.
- Determine the safe operating conditions of the school bus.
- Learn and follow a prescribed route and time schedule.
- Handle emergencies in case of accident or illness.
- Understand and follow oral and written directions.
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Communicate effectively with physically and developmentally disabled children.
- Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
- Prepare records and reports related to assigned activities.
- React with flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity to changing situations and needs.
- Interact effectively with students, parents, staff, and the public.
- Work effectively with a student population that has special needs.
- Demonstrate a patient, understanding, and receptive attitude toward children with special needs, including those with disruptive emotional characteristics.
- Work collaboratively in teams and with families.
- Maintain confidentiality of sensitive and privileged information.
- Work effectively with individuals from various ethnic and cultural groups.
- Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
- Contribute to a positive working environment.
May require:
Oral bilingual proficiency in a second language as determined by administration.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Any combination equivalent to: graduation from high school and experience sufficient to drive a school bus and follow a prescribed route.
LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Valid California Class B commercial driver’s license with passenger endorsement and a school bus endorsement; valid DMV School Bus Driver’s Certificate; California Special Driver’s Certificate, valid for driving school buses; current DMV approved Medical Certificate; and a current DOE approved First Aid card if applicable (i.e. Restriction 6 on Special Driver’s Certificate.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
ENVIRONMENT:
- Indoor and outdoor environment.
- The employee may occasionally work in extreme weather conditions and be exposed to noise and fumes from equipment operation, refueling, and/or loading students.
- Driving a school bus to conduct work.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Perform strenuous physical work in lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, moving, and controlling disabled students and/or their equipment.
- Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a school bus.
- Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person and on the telephone.
- Sitting or standing for extended periods of time.
- Seeing to read a variety of materials.
- Reaching overhead and above the shoulders, bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching to inspect buses.
- Meet the physical requirements necessary to perform assigned duties in a safe and effective manner for self and others.