JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Bus Driver PROGRAM: Head Start

CLASS: Non-Exempt REPORTS TO: Center Supervisor

JOB SUMMARY: The Head Start Driver is responsible for safe transportation of children and parents to and from school and program activities. To make sure the child restraints are adjusted on the seat properly.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct a professional pre-trip/post-trip inspection of every vehicle driven before every route and report suspected mechanical problems at once. Complete Daily Vehicle Inspection reports accurately after each inspection.
• Conduct a thorough post-trip inspection for children or other items left on board, or vehicle problems, at the conclusion of every trip. (Both the driver and monitor are responsible for checking for children.)
• Sensitive to the needs of young children; willing and able to relate to children and adults from all ethnic or socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Drive defensively at all times; prevent accidents by compensating for the unsafe actions of other drivers, challenging road and environmental conditions, etc
• Comply with all safety requirements in the Final Rule, all state school bus laws and regulations, and all program procedures as stipulated in the transportation policy and procedures handbook, memos, notices, meetings, etc. Must be aware of current transportation laws and regulations.
• Use reasonable precaution in the performance of all duties. Act in such manner as to ensure maximum safety to children, parents, self, the public, and fellow employees at all times.
• Refrain from any act or omission that could jeopardize the safety of children.
• Immediately report incidents, accidents, or unusual situations that could or did place a child at risk of injury, and willing and able to describe such incidents in writing.
• Punctual, demonstrate good attendance; advise Transportation Manager or Center Manager at least one hour ahead of time if unable to work.
• Run fixed route as written; do not make unauthorized changes to routes or stops.
• Report any significant safety hazards (routes, roadways, changing weather conditions, etc.) to Transportation Manager as soon as possible.
• Driver must refrain from excessive conversation with monitors, parents, or children, while driving or loading or unloading children, which could be distracting and would cause an accident.
• Driver must be courteous and professional with children, parents, staff, and the community.
• Abide by the confidentiality clause in the agency policy and procedure manual.
• Conduct and document effective safety drills for children and parents.
• Maintain a clean and hygienic environment inside the vehicle; clean outside as necessary.
• Must fill out a bus stop address roster and keep on the bus at all times.
• Refrain from eating, drinking, chewing, or using tobacco products on or near the bus.
• Dress safely and appropriately when on duty; avoid inappropriate or provocative clothing, such as shirts or hats with sexual slogans, curse words, etc. Wear clean clothes and practice good hygiene. Avoid loose or dangling jewelry that children could grab or could become caught in equipment, or sharp objects and pins that could injure children. Wear footwear that minimizes the possibility of slips and falls or the foot slipping off a vehicle pedal.
• When transporting children using wheelchairs or other adapted equipment, exercise a high degree of caution, in accordance with training, when using the wheelchair lift and securing wheelchairs into the vehicles, and as much as possible avoid sharp turns and bumps, which could injure children in wheelchairs.
• Work cooperatively with monitors and parents.
• Actively participate in all required training sessions.
• Perform other duties as assigned. Exhibit flexibility and tolerance as routes or other conditions change.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• Possession of a current class (A/B) CDL with SP passenger Endorsement and air brake restriction removed.
• Must be able to pass initial drug test and undergo an annual physical as well as a random drug screening.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must be trained in First Aid.
• No traffic violations within the last three (3) years.
• Must be able to read a road map.
• Must be able to create an accurate written report as necessary, including daily vehicle reports, behavior management referrals, incident reports, etc.
• Ability to work cooperatively with other staff, parents, and persons from a variety of ethnic, educational, and socio‑economic backgrounds.
• Must be able to work with pre-school children and families
• Must be physically fit for children activities indoors and outdoors.
• Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds.
• Able to exercise discretion and sound judgment in the performance of assigned duties.
• Must be able to relate positively to adults and young children.
• Willing to attend evening meetings when necessary.
• Must be able to fill out transportation forms on the computer.
• Must have the ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Must have basic knowledge of Microsoft.