Bus Operator

Bus Operator

Plaquemines Parish School Board Transportation – Belle Chasse, Louisiana.

SALARY RANGE: SINGLE ROUTE – $27,837‑$42,552; DOUBLE ROUTE – $29,229‑$44,679.

Ad Valorem: 2.40 parish property (ad valorem) tax mills are dedicated to employee salaries. The annual receipts from this tax are distributed to employees twice a year, one-half in January and one-half in June. The amount of each employee's supplement is the employee's salary multiplied by the annual percentage (computed each year based on actual tax revenues).

Job Goal: To provide safe, reliable and efficient transportation for students by operating a school bus in compliance with district policies, state and federal regulations and safety standards. The Bus Operator ensures the well‑being of students during transit, maintains a disciplined and orderly bus environment, conducts pre‑trip and post‑trip inspections and communicates effectively with school staff, parents and transportation personnel to support the district’s educational mission.

Required

• High school diploma or GED®.
• Completion of a Louisiana School Bus Driver Certification Program as required by state law.
• Valid Louisiana Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Bus Operator Endorsements.
• Must meet all local, state and federal licensing requirements and regulations for operating a school bus and automobile.
• Must pass and be subject to drug tests as required by federal and state law and the School Board’s policies regarding drug testing, operating school‑owned vehicles, transporting students and all applicable policies.
• Must complete and pass a physical examination performed by a duly licensed physician.
• Strong understanding of defensive driving techniques and emergency procedures.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to interact professionally with students, parents, school staff and the public.
• Ability to manage student behavior on the bus in accordance with school district policies.
• Capacity to maintain confidentiality and professionalism in handling student‑related matters.
• Basic record‑keeping skills to maintain daily logs, mileage reports and incident documentation.
• Pass a pre‑employment background check, drug test and physical examination per state and district requirements.

Preferred

• Minimum of one (1) year of experience as a commercial or school Bus Operator.
• Experience working with children and school transportation operations.
• Familiarity with basic vehicle maintenance and the ability to conduct pre‑trip and post‑trip inspections in compliance with state and district requirements.
• Working knowledge of Google Workspace.

Technical Duties and Operations

• Operates school buses and district vehicles in accordance with local, state and federal traffic laws and school district policies to safely transport students and personnel.
• Conducts pre‑operation and post‑operation inspections of vehicle interiors, exteriors and mechanical systems (equipped with instruments, safety devices, fuel, engine oil, coolant) to ensure safety, sanitation and compliance with federal, state and local regulations, while keeping the assigned bus clean, organized and hazard‑free.
• Adheres to assigned schedules to ensure timely and efficient transportation services while maintaining compliance with operational requirements.
• Assists students and other passengers with safe loading and unloading during regular transport (while staying in the operator’s seat) and emergency situations, ensuring adherence to authorized stops and transporting only authorized students to maintain safety and compliance.
• Handles emergency situations such as vehicle breakdowns, accidents or medical incidents by following established district and safety protocols.
• Demonstrates responsible leadership during out‑of‑district school trips, ensuring student safety, compliance with guidelines and effective trip management.
• Completes and submits daily logs, mileage reports, student attendance records and incident reports as required by district policies.
• As required for special‑education routes, assists the Bus Aide if needed in emergency situations.

Communication and Teamwork

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