JOHNSTON COUNTY SCHOOLS

Job Description

TITLE: School Bus Driver

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or the equivalent from appropriately accredited school. 
• Must be 18 years of age with six (6) months driving experience.
• Must meet all Department of Motor Vehicles requirements as outlined in the School Bus Driver handbook.
• Must possess and maintain a current North Carolina commercial driver’s license with proper endorsements and a current Bus Drivers Pocket Card.
• Must pass a DOT drug and alcohol test.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential Duties

• Comply with all federal, state and local laws, policies and regulations, including traffic laws.

• Comply with the operating procedures established by Transportation Services.

• Observe all mandatory safety regulations for school buses.

• Maintain proficiency in driving skills.

• Complete all reports required by Transportation Services.

• Follow assigned bus routes, drop students off only at their assigned bus stops, and comply with the bus schedule provided by Transportation Services; report any necessary changes to the schedule or to identified bus stops to Area Coordinator.

• Ensure safety and care of students boarding, riding, and departing school bus; always using proper crossing procedure at passenger stops.

• Maintain discipline when students are on the bus; report infractions of school bus safety rules to the principal or designee.

• Allow only authorized students to ride the bus; inform the Area Coordinator of students added to or removed from the bus route.

• Perform daily pre-trip and post-trip inspections; report any observable mechanical defects or failures as required.

• Assume responsibility for bus securement whenever the bus is left unattended.

• Attend bus safety meetings.

• Maintain professional relationships with students, parents/guardians, and with school personnel.

• Operate the bus in a careful and safe manner so as to avoid accidents; accidents where the bus driver is at-fault are grounds for immediate termination from employment.

• Report all accidents immediately and remain at the scene until released by law enforcement officer or supervisor.

• Refrain from the use of drugs or alcohol before and/or while operating the bus; participate/meet all post-accident drug and alcohol testing requirements; comply with all Johnston County Schools’ policies related to drug or alcohol use or testing, including those policies related to drug and alcohol testing of commercial motor vehicle operators and maintaining a drug-free work environment within the Johnston County Schools.

• Maintain up to date knowledge on current job-related technology being used by Johnston County Schools.

• Maintain the confidentiality of student information during the performance of bus driving duties (examples: medical issues, EC designation).

• Maintain knowledge of procedures and ability to use all equipment required for transporting Exceptional Children.

• Assume responsibility for one-on-one service to students when required.

• Assume responsibility for supervision and leadership during an emergency situation, including bus evacuations.

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by supervisor.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of safe and efficient practices and procedures used in the operation of a school bus.

• Considerable knowledge of traffic laws and school bus regulations.

• Considerable knowledge of safety regulations and standards for school buses.

• General knowledge of Johnston County Schools Transportation Services operating procedures.

• Ability to communicate quickly and effectively in situations relating to the safety of students.

• Ability to detect and report observable mechanical defects or failures involving the school bus.

• Ability to complete required reports.

• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions, including the route description (TD 29).

• Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative in applying standards to a variety of work situations.

• Ability to exercise tact and courtesy when communicating with students, parents/guardians, and school personnel.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Tasks involve the regular and, at times, sustained performance of moderately demanding physical work, typically involving some combinations of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling. Tasks may also involve the lifting, carrying, pushing and /or pulling of students in an emergency situation in which bus evacuation is required. Employees must have the ability to complete these tasks. Employees must also have the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape, the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in operating a school bus, the ability to handle a variety of items, school bus equipment, control knobs, switches, etc., the ability to engage in minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination, the ability to recognize the colors of traffic signals and devices showing standard red, green, and amber, the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions, and the ability to talk and /or hear: (talking: expressing or exchanging of ideas by means of spoken words; hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear). The employee’s hearing ability is sufficient if the employee can distinguish warning sounds made by horns, screeching tires, sirens, grade crossing alarms or train whistles. Hearing a forced whispered voice in the better ear at a distance of five feet is considered adequate hearing.

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position. They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills that may be required of the employees assigned to this position. This description may be revised by the supervisor, with HR review and approval, at any time.