Bus Driver / Class Aide

Summary: The Tri-County Opportunities Council Early Head Start/Head Start Program serves 483 expectant mothers and children ages birth to five in the nine Illinois Counties of Bureau, Carroll, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Ogle, Putnam, Stark, and Whiteside. The program offers comprehensive child and family development services to those deemed eligible. The program’s primary goals are to partner with parents to promote self-esteem, increase self-confidence, and advance school readiness skills for children. Comprehensive programming includes education, medical, dental, mental health, and nutritional services; welcomes children with disabilities or special needs; and provides family education, advancement, and social service support while connecting enrolled families to community resources and transportation assistance. The program offers various options to meet the needs of children, families, and communities throughout all nine counties.

Mission Statement: T.C.O.C. Head Start is committed to taking the leadership role in developing partnerships to build stronger communities. We create and nurture supportive experiences that lead to successful outcomes for children, families, and staff.

Agency Name: Tri-County Opportunities Council

Program Name: Early Head Start/Head Start Program

Job Title: Bus Driver/Class Aide

Reports to: Site Supervisor (indirectly to Transportation Specialist)

Status: 18 hrs./week Bus Driver and 12 hrs./week Class Aide, Non-Exempt / Part-Year Employment

Educational Requirements: Preferred High School Diploma. Must possess a valid Illinois School Bus Permit and a Commercial Driver’s License with Passenger Endorsement (CDL/P) along with car insurance.

Other Requirements:

• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance
• Not essential but may be required as needed; sufficient strength and flexibility (ability to stoop, bend, twist, etc.) to frequently bend down to a child’s level, sit on the floor with them, stand for prolonged periods of time, respond to a child’s quick and frequent movements and when necessary, lift a child, must have manual dexterity
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Must have the ability to safely enter and exit the center and family’s home
• Must pass a general physical examination and TB screening at the time of hire and every two years thereafter
• Must obtain and maintain certification in First Aid and CPR
• Employment in this position is contingent on cleared criminal background check, clear background check as per the Department of Children & Family Services Licensing Standards and Policy Council approval
• Effective and Responsive Interpersonal skills
• Anticipate happenings and problem solve solutions
• Technology Proficient
• Ability to manage time and multitask
• Adaptable
• Innovative Change Agent
• Other duties as assigned

If hired, employees without the required credits/credentialing will be required to sign a professional development plan upon hire with a designated timeline for completion.

Confidentiality: The person filling this position must abide by the program’s confidentiality policy and Code of Ethics regarding children, family, staff and/or agency matters

Accountabilities: Ensuring safe, supportive, intentional and engaging environments for children birth to five. Ensuring that environments and experiences provide natural and developmentally appropriate skill development opportunities to children with various skill levels. Ensure that equitable practices are in place to reduce achievement gaps. Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development resulting in improved teaching and learning.

Adhere to internal and external policy, procedure, and best practice

• DCFS Licensing Standards
• Head Start Performance Standards
• Child and Adult Care Food Program
• OSHA
• T.C.O.C. Early Head Start/Head Start Policy and Procedures
• T.C.O.C. Human Resource Policy and Procedures

Essential Duties: Ensuring child focused, emotionally supportive, safe and responsive experiences that support: emotional connection, progressive communication, shared respect, autonomy, expression, higher order thinking skills/cognition and that reduces racial, ethnic and linguistic disparities.

• Assures the safe transportation of all Head Start children
• Follows all agency and state rules and federal regulations regarding transportation. Abides by all highway laws. Practices safe driving procedures including daily pre and post trip inspections.
• Adheres to established procedures and policies as outlined in the transportation manual and personnel policies. Ensures bus monitor is trained in all safety aspects of the bus. Complete post trip insuring no children are on the bus, along with the bus monitor.
• Maintains vehicle including but not limited to annual brake and semi-annual inspections
• Provides ongoing education on safety of children being transported. Completes three bus evacuation drills per program year. Uses effective and developmentally appropriate techniques with children to maintain order on the bus at all times.
• Maintains and submits timely, complete, and accurate records as indicated on the driver’s timeline. Attends transportation and staff meetings, trainings and workshops as assigned.
• Participates in mandatory drug and alcohol testing procedures
• Adheres to the Head Start Performance Standards
• Assists in and maintains a safe, warm and accepting environment following Conscious Discipline structures and the Guidance and Discipline Policy.
• Ensure that children are actively supervised at all times, be an extra set of hands, following the appropriate direction from the lead teacher.
• Provide break coverage for teaching staff at the approved times

Benefits:

• Dental Insurance (Must work 20 hours/per week)
• Vision Insurance (Must work 20 hours/per week)
• Life Insurance (Must work 20 hours/per week)
• Health Insurance – 2 Plans (Must work 30 hours/per week)
• Partially Paid Family Medical Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Sick Time
• Paid Time Off
• Retirement Savings Plan
• Career Advancement Opportunities

For current staff applying for a different position, the wage is base pay (based on current qualifications) plus 1% for each year of previous agency employment.

Tri-County Opportunities Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provider. Applications from women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people from diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $17.00 - $17.82 per hour

Expected hours: 30 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)
• CDL (Required)
• School Bus Permit (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Dixon, IL 61021 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Dixon, IL 61021: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $17 - $18