Head Start Teacher Aide​/Bus Driver

Teacher Aide/Bus Driver

The Head Start Teacher Aide/Bus Driver is responsible for assisting the Teacher in carrying out daily activities designed to provide for the physical, emotional, nutritional, social and intellectual development of the children within an environment that is safe, healthy and conducive to learning. The Head Start Teacher Aide/Bus Driver is responsible for safely transporting the Head Start children to and from the center following a pre-determined route, monitoring the passengers and their safety, maintaining the cleanliness and monitoring the vehicle safety.

Duties and responsibilities include working as a team with other teaching staff, developing weekly lesson plans, performing teaching tasks, maintaining safe driving habits, administering first aid, assisting children and their parents on and off the bus, maintaining a clean and safe vehicle, conducting daily vehicle inspections, obeying all state, county and local driving regulations, reporting all accidents to supervisor immediately, maintaining required documentation, providing communication between staff and parents, driving bus for field trips, using the bus for official Head Start and agency business only, participating in appropriate Head Start training, ensuring that emergency supplies are maintained and properly stored, working cooperatively with all Head Start staff, planning the most efficient route, understanding responsibility of being a mandated reporter for Child Abuse and Neglect, and performing additional duties as assigned by supervisors.

Knowledge, skills and abilities include a high school diploma or equivalent, possessing or obtaining a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, knowledge of program curriculum, developmentally appropriate practice, and related program performance standards, relating to children and parents in a positive, constructive manner, developing and implementing classroom activities based on children's individual needs, working well with other center staff, parents, and managers, ability to operate assigned vehicle and possess current CDL license, with all required endorsements, knowledge of all applicable bus safety regulations and procedures, knowledge of all Head Start transportation guidelines and standards, knowledge of basic vehicle maintenance, knowledge of basic child development as well as child care and guidance knowledge, maintaining conduct that promotes a positive image to staff, parents, agency and community, obtaining initial medical exam and TB assessment within 30 days of employment, passing background screen, child abuse/neglect screen, drug screen, and being subject to random drug testing.

Additional requirements include emotional maturity, willingness to cooperate with the standards of the program, respect for children and adults, flexibility, patience, good personal hygiene, and physical and mental health which does not interfere with responsibilities. Must have good verbal communication skills and visual ability to observe children. Ability to fulfill responsibilities under pressure, including during emergencies.

Working conditions include risk of exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues, risk involved with travel on main highways, side streets and rural roads during the transportation of children, risk of exposure to communicable diseases, ability to lift 55 pounds, many times a day, climb into the school bus, bend, kneel and squat frequently, job requires standing for long periods of time, as well as stooping, squatting, running;

and sitting in child sized chairs and/or on the floor.