NEW SUBSTITUTE BUS OPERATORS

Position Title:       Bus Operator

Pay Grade:            D

Department:         Transportation

Reports To:           Director of Transportation

Responsibility:     All qualifications as set forth in the “West Virginia School Transportation Regulations”

SUMMARY:

Operate a school bus or other school transportation vehicle to pick up and drop off students at regularly scheduled locations safely.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. Other duties may be assigned.

• Perform pre/post trip inspections
• Learn route, including pick up and drop off locations
• Safely use fire extinguisher
• Assist and supervise students with disabilities
• Communicate with students, parents, school officials and supervisors
• Mop and clean inside and outside the vehicle
• Complete proper paperwork
• Work overtime as needed
• Ability to sit for long periods of time
• Ability to tolerate ill children and clean up from student sickness accidents
• Walk from the operator’s seat to the rear of the bus
• Open all emergency exits
• Install snow chains on a bus
• Raise the hood of a conventional school bus and check oil levels and antifreeze levels
• Remove obstructions from wind shield and under wiper blades
• Adjust all outside mirrors
• Secure a wheelchair
• Complete monthly reports accurately and on time
• Conduct a rules and regulations orientation each year on each regular bus run
• Bring bus to garage for regularly scheduled maintenance
• Perform all duties outlined in WV State Board of Education Policy 4336 which is available at http://wvde.state.wv.us/policies/p4336.doc

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervises students.

QUALIFICATIONS:

High school diploma or general education degree (GED), pursuant to WV Code §18A-2-5; Criminal background check conducted pursuant to WV code §18-5-15c; Meet the definition of “Qualifications” in WV Code §18A-4-8b; demonstrated competency, pursuant to WV Code §18A-4-8e (state approved competency test) as required.  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

“Bus Operator” means a person employed to operate school buses and other school transportation vehicles as provided by the State Board. (Pursuant to WV §18A-4-8)

• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must have at least three years of driving experience as a licensed operator of any vehicle
• Must obtain and maintain WV CDL license with passenger and school bus endorsements
• Must successfully complete WV School Bus Safety Program and pass requisite online and skills tests
• Must be able to climb in and out of bus to check engine compartment
• Must maintain valid CPR and First Aide Certification
• Must pass a physical examination form a Medical Examiner as defined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration as well as drug and alcohol screen
• Must meet all requirements outlined in WV State Board of Education Policy 4336 which is available at http://wvde.state.wv.us/policies/p4336.doc

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, write and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to staff, parents, students and administrators.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detail but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Ability to work with emotionally, physically and/or mentally impaired students. Ability to maintain composure under stressful conditions. Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, staff and the school community. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies. Understanding of confidentiality and commitment to abide by confidentiality regulations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: physical demands 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 essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stoop, reach overhead and shoulder height, stand, walk, lift, pull, push, grasp, talk, hear, see, use interior and exterior rear view mirrors, and use repetitive motions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee may frequently lift and/or move at least 50 pounds (100 pounds minimum on a special education bus) of materials, children, etc. Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision such as to read road signs and detect road hazards, near vision such as to monitor instruments as well as student passengers, the ability to adjust focus.  The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and other staff members. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds such as adaptive equipment and supplies. The employee must frequently push/pull up to 90 pounds such as grocery carts filled with supplies or student wheel chairs. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit, to use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to bend at the trunk more than the average person. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and peripheral vision. The employee needs to be able to tell where a sound is coming from and hear in a noisy environment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.  This job requires exposure to extreme temperatures from below freezing to occasionally 80°F during warmer months.  The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud (60-90 dB).  Bus operators usually have a five day work week that is considered “split-shift” meaning the first run can begin early in the morning (4:45 am) to late afternoon (56:30 pm)with time off in-between.  Hours are dictated by the schedule they run.  A bus operator can anticipate slippery floor surfaces from passengers loading and unloading.  A Bus Operator runs through heavy traffic while dealing with passengers.  The job can be more stressful and fatiguing than physically strenuous. 

EVALUATION:  Job performance is evaluated in accordance to district guidelines by the supervisor.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.