24-25 School Bus Driver/Operator

Job Description – School Bus Driver/Operator

About CANO

Community Academies of New Orleans (“CANO”) is a new charter school management organization created to bring together Esperanza Charter School, Foundation Prep Charter School, and Lafayette Academy Charter School with the ultimate goal of strengthening all three schools.  The nonprofit boards that governed Foundation Prep and Choice Foundation voted to establish this partnership in 2019 to benefit from the organizations’ shared values, similar programming, and strong leadership, and set operations of CANO to launch ahead of the 2020-2021 academic year.  

CANO’s vision is to build a system of exemplary schools, deeply influenced by our students, families, and communities, with graduates who are committed to being community advocates and leaders. Its mission is to cultivate schools that nurture students’ character and critical thinking ability in responsive learning environments, thereby equipping them to be impactful community leaders.  CANO will strive for high academic performance at all our schools while securing partnerships and programming that use community assets to support our schools and students.  In doing this, CANO brings a fresh, yet grounded, vision to the New Orleans charter landscape and forges a new path ahead for students, families, and communities alike. 

CANO’s Values are: 

• INTEGRITY. We always do the right thing. 

• TEAMWORK. We work and grow together. 

• PASSION. We love our students; our community; our work. 

• DIGNITY.  We value and respect every member of our community. 

• COURAGE. We approach challenges with optimism and confidence.

About the Role 

Reporting to the Director of Transportation as well as school-based administration, the School Bus Operator responsible for transporting students safely and ensuring the vehicle is in clean, safe operating condition at all times while abiding by federal, state, local, and district procedures, policies, and regulations. School Bus Operators will be full time employees of CANO and eligible for benefits. 

Essential Job Duties 

• Inspecting the bus before and after each route; maintaining a clean and mechanically-sound bus at all times

• Transporting children to and from school in the mornings and afternoons, stopping at all stops on the route and reporting any delays or deviations in schedule to the transportation office.

• Being attentive to traffic and weather conditions while staying on schedule and ensuring the safety of passengers. 

• Obeying all traffic laws and policies related to bus safety & operations

• Establishing high expectations for each student and supporting their academic, social, and emotional development

• Maintaining a safe environment on the bus by enforcing rules of conduct and responding to emergencies. 

• Reporting any unsafe environment to supervisors immediately.

• Tracking of the number of students transported, reporting to the supervisor daily.

• Attending bus safety meetings.

• Participating in the life of the school, including student activities and events. 

• CANO School Bus Operators will have designated responsibilities assigned within their school. Responsibilities may include supervising student lunch, supervising student recess, supporting classroom and front office activities. 

• Embodying, advocating, and operationalizing the mission, vision, and direction of the school.

• Taking on other tasks, as needed. 

Required Qualifications 

• Must be over 25 or have at least three years of school bus driving experience

• Must possess a valid CDL license with a school bus endorsement (Class B)

• Must possess or obtain a valid City of New Orleans Driver Permit 

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• Desirable Qualifications:

• 3 years school bus driving experience

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

• Frequently exposed to loud noise levels, fumes or airborne particles, noxious odors, vibrations from driving a bus, and traffic

• Occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside inclement weather conditions

• Frequently required to sit for extended periods; use hands and fingers to handle, control or feel; use foot controls to drive; reach with hands and arms; climb and descend stairs with a maximum height of 17 ½ inches; bend, stoop, and kneel; and talk or hear

• Physically able to perform and demonstrate emergency evacuation procedures. This includes the pushing/pulling of up to 50 pounds, operating two-hand controls simultaneously and quickly in an emergency, carrying or dragging a person up to 125 pounds 30 feet in 30 seconds or less, and exiting from an emergency door opening of 24 by 48 inches at least 42 inches from the ground in 10 seconds. Must be physically able to open all emergency exits installed in any school bus they may be assigned.

• This job’s specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, night/dusk vision, color vision, and peripheral vision

• Specific hearing abilities include hearing sufficient to be aware of traffic or road distractions and conditions, and must be able to hear and listen to children. The noise level in the work environment is loud.

• Employees must pass a background check, DOT drug screening, DOT physical, DOT Clearinghouse Check, MVR, and appropriate training before driving a bus.

• Regularly and frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a laptop or desktop computer, hand-held learning devices and other office equipment, inside the classroom and school building while monitoring students productivity and behavior on a daily basis.

• Occasionally ascend and descend stairs to migrate throughout the workspace

More about CANO

CANO Schools offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package. Aside from extensive professional development, all of our instructional staff members are equipped with a laptop computer, email, and all necessary supplies. We also require all employees to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of the COVID-19 vaccination within 30 days of the date of hire. 

EEO Statement

CANO believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building a talented team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. "We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Community Academies of New Orleans is an EEO employer and prohibits discrimination, harassment or retaliation in accordance with federal, state and local laws."