Substitute Bus Operator

JOB TITLE: Substitute Bus Operator

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Director of Transportation/ Transportation Supervisor

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt

EMPLOYMENT TERM: as needed, pursuant to WV Code §18A-4-8; extended employment terms may be established by JCBOE

SALARY: Pursuant to WV Code §18A-4-8a, in accordance with Jefferson County Salary Scale, Pay Grade D commensurate with experience and education level

EVALUATION: Performance in this position will be evaluated annually and in accordance with WV State Code §18A-2-12, WV State Board Policy 5314, and JCBOE's Guide to Performance Evaluation for Service Personnel
 

Job Summary

A 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) A Bus Operator is responsible for the safe and timely transportation of students to their destinations by maintaining an orderly and disciplined bus environment.

Bus Operators perform duties in accordance with traffic regulations and county policies. They are required to maintain a clean and mechanically sound bus and conduct pre-trip inspections to ensure the safety of the vehicle and passengers. Bus Operators must also be able to communicate effectively with passengers, dispatch, and other drivers. This position requires a valid commercial driver's license (CDL) with passenger and school bus endorsement.  A Bus Operator should have a good driving record. A successful candidate for this position should be reliable, punctual, and have excellent customer service skills.

Jefferson County Schools is looking for skilled Bus Operators who will be responsible for operating buses or other school transportation vehicle, ranging from 15-passenger to 92-passenger, to pick up and drop off students and transporting passengers safely to their destinations. In this position, the successful candidate will be expected to maintain a clean and mechanically sound vehicle, follow traffic rules and regulations, and provide excellent customer service to passengers.

Duties and Responsibilities: (Pursuant to WV State Board of Education Policy 4336) Additional Duties May Be Assigned

• Operate a bus safely and efficiently to transport passengers to various destinations
• Adhere to all traffic laws and regulations while driving
• Perform re/post trip inspections
• Learn route, including pick up and drop off locations
• Safely use fire extinguisher
• Assist and supervise students with disabilities
• Assist passengers with boarding and exiting the bus
• Walk from the operator's seat to the rear of the bus
• Maintain a clean and orderly bus interior
• Mop and clean inside and outside the vehicle
• Open all emergency exits
• Install snow chains on the bus
• Raise the hood of a conventional school bus and check oil levels and antifreeze levels
• Remove obstructions from the windshield and under wiper blades
• Adjust outside mirrors
• Secure a wheelchair
• Communicate with students, parents, school officials, supervisors, dispatch and other drivers as needed to coordinate routes and schedules
• Report any accidents, incidents, or mechanical problems to the appropriate authorities
• Complete proper paperwork
• Work overtime as needed
• Attend training sessions and meetings as required
• Maintains confidentiality
• Complies with JCS policies
• Perform all duties outlined in WV State Board of Education Policy 4336 which is available at http://wvde.state.wv.us/policies/p4336.doc

Qualifications

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.

• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must have at least 3 years of driving experience as a licensed operator of any vehicle
• Clean driving record with no accidents or violations
• 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 Aid certification
• Must pass a physical examination from a Medical Examiner as defined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration as well as drug and alcohol screen
• Ability to sit for long periods of time
• Ability to tolerate ill children and clean up from students' sickness accidents
• Ability to pass a drug and alcohol test
• Excellent driving skills and knowledge of traffic laws and regulations
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Good physical health and ability to lift heavy objects
• Ability to remain calm and focused in stressful situations
• Good problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• 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

ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATION: 

Must pass training and WV state competency test for Bus Operators.

Required hiring documents: The successful candidate for a Bus Operator position must provide CDL documents. Must follow the background check procedures pursuant to WV code WV Code §18-5-15c. Jefferson County Schools will provide guidance on how to obtain a CDL and Bus Operator training.

A successful work history and a minimum of three supervisory references required for consideration.

Jefferson County Schools is bound by statute to recommend the most qualified applicants for position vacancies. In order to determine those qualifications as set forth by the West Virginia Code, we require all applicants to fill out an application, which includes supervisory references, and, in many instances, participate in interviews. Failure to provide references, negative references, and failing to participate in requested interviews may negatively impact a candidate's qualifications.

Applicants who have been dismissed or have had their contracts non-renewed for cause are not eligible for consideration. Applicants who receive unfavorable reference recommendations will not be eligible for consideration. Applicants must complete the entire application and provide all documents required. Failure to complete the application and provide requested items or falsification of information will result in the application not being considered.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS: 

The physical demands described 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 essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to reach, stand, walk, lift, grasp, write, talk, hear, see, and use repetitive motions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may lift and/or move at least 50 pounds (100 pounds minimum on a special education bus) of materials. 

Specific vision abilities required by this job include distant vision so to see read road signs and detect road hazards, near vision such as to monitor instruments as well as student passengers, the ability to focus. The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and other staff members. Must be able to maintain emotional control under stress and work effectively with others to include demonstrating behavior that reflects established professional responsibilities (i.e., attendance, punctuality, professional dress, and verbal/nonverbal communication); and developing a positive relationship with students, staff, and community. 

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 essential functions. This job requires exposure to extreme temperatures from below freezing to occasionally 80 degree 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 a "split-shift" meaning the first run can begin early in the morning (4:45 A.M.) to late afternoon (5:30 P.M.) with time off in-between. Hours are dictated by the schedule they run. A bus operator runs through heavy traffic while dealing with passengers. The job can be more stressful and fatiguing than physically strenuous.  The employee continuously interacts with colleagues, the public, vendors, school staff, and students.  

The information contained in the job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of duties performed by this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned by the Superintendent or his/her designee.