Activity Bus Driver

Job Description

Southeast Polk Community School District

Bus Driver

Transportation Director

Operate a school bus in a safe and efficient manner to ensure the safety of passengers. The position requires continuous use of independent judgment.

• High School Diploma or GED
• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with passenger bus endorsement, S endorsement, and air brake
• State of Iowa school bus operators permit
• Ability to learn the operation of various buses and handicap equipment
• Computer skills useful for maintaining routing and student database
• Successful completion of physical, criminal background and child abuse registry check, and pre-work screening at time of hire
• Successful experience and competency working in a culturally diverse learning environment
• American Heart or Red Cross First Aid/CPR certification
• Practical knowledge of characteristics and needs of Special Education students
• One year minimum experience operating a passenger bus

• Additional experience with special education students
• Any certifications related to transportation safety or special needs education

• Drive and operate a bus, van, or passenger vehicle safely and in conformance with District policy and procedures as well as local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Memorize bus routes, streets, roads, and school locations, keeping route information current at all times.
• Drive routes as assigned without deviation unless authorized or an emergency dictates otherwise.
• Maintain good driving habits, practice defensive driving over city, county, and state streets and roads under all types of weather conditions and exercise extra caution when driving around school buildings where children are present.
• Provide support and instruction to students in order to understand school bus safety rules.
• Conduct safe and orderly loading and unloading of students.
• Provide guidance to bus associates in the performance of their respective assignments and duties; providing training as needed.
• Maintain discipline and control on the bus at stops, transfer stations, and while in operation.
• Report inappropriate student conduct to the Transportation Director immediately upon completion of route.
• Report mechanical problems to the mechanic or Transportation Director immediately.
• Report performance problems, routing, pre‑trip inspection sheets, and scheduling issues to the Director of Transportation.
• Participate in all training pertaining to the job; including but not limited to mandatory bus evacuation drills as assigned by the Director of Transportation.
• Work with minimum supervision in accordance with published and verbal standards, guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Ensure that the bus, van, or passenger vehicle is clean inside and out, maintained and serviced; perform daily vehicle inspections; fuel vehicles and record usage on daily logs.
• Maintain up‑to‑date driver records such as physical, school permits, pre‑trip inspection paperwork, and all other paperwork as required.
• Monitor radio and cell phones and provide radio/cell phone communication.
• Remain drug, tobacco, and alcohol free at all times while working.
• Participate in all drug and alcohol testing.
• Dependability and reliability are essential.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, parents, and community members.
• Exhibit a positive attitude toward students.
• Meet with special education teachers to review the students' disabilities and how they might meet the students' needs as well as improve behavior on the bus.
• Attend annual Blood‑borne Pathogen Training and other staff development provided by the District.

• Must have physical dexterity in limbs and digits and be free of impairment affecting the use of a foot, leg, hand, finger, or arm, or other structural defects that could interfere with the ability to safely control a school bus or handicap lift equipment.
• Must be capable of assisting in the emergency evacuation of students riding the bus by extraction through emergency windows, doors, and roof exits, including stepping down 3.5 feet from the…