Bus Monitor

Job Summary

Performs semi‑skilled level duties under general supervision of the Director of Transportation and indirect supervision of the bus driver to observe students on the bus and to ensure proper and safe behavior while being transported and loaded on and off the bus. Interprets policies and procedures and follows predetermined solutions established by higher level supervision or operating procedures. Must be sensitive to special needs of individual students while in transit and attend to those needs.

Must be able to perform tasks with sensitivity and confidentiality.

• Job Title: Bus Monitor
• Reports To: Director of Transportation; bus driver while en route.
• Site: Shawnee Public Schools – all sites

• Credentials: None required
• Education: High school, GED, or equivalent experience required in lieu of a high school degree
• Training or Experience
  
  Required:
  
  Previous work or volunteer experience with children of various ages, including those with and without disabilities and behavioral challenges

• Communication skills (oral, written, or business):
  Must possess communication skills to exchange information, give/receive simple instructions, and respond to inquiries.
• Reading and interpreting routine written or printed material.
• Regular contact with other children, teachers/staff/sponsors, and parents/guardians of bus riders.
• Interprets and translates facts and information, explains and advises passengers of the rules, and assists the bus driver.
• When a passenger becomes excessively rude, unmanageable, or uncontrollable, must take control of the situation.

• Maintains confidentiality of all students; discussion of students is disallowed without a “need to know” rule.
• Assists young or special‑needs/disabled students in getting on and off the bus; may operate chair lift.
• Secures special‑needs students appropriately on the bus; lifts and places children into car seats as required; assists those in wheelchairs on and off the bus and while in transit.
• Assists ambulatory children to and from seats.
• Accompanies special‑needs students across street crossings and at various locations as required.
• Observes students to prevent interior bus destruction or other concerns.
• Works with certified staff members to understand specific needs of individual students if necessary.
• Cleans up body fluids and other messes that may occur on the bus.
• Assists the bus driver in maintaining good student conduct on the bus.
• Ensures that students get on and off the bus in an orderly fashion.
• Collects and turns over personal items left on the bus by students to school personnel.
• Assists driver in any emergency situation, including accidents or seizures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Requires good people skills to deal with difficult situations, assist disabled passengers, and be sensitive to special needs; controls unruly passengers effectively and resolves problems with parents.
• Follows safety guidelines and policies, including the Exposure Control Plan for blood borne pathogens, ensuring passengers are transported safely without harm to property or equipment.
• Adheres to the school dress standard, punctuality, dependability, and other district requirements.
• Demonstrates creativity, initiative, and effective problem‑solving to prevent and resolve problems.
• Enjoys working with children, especially sensitive to the needs of disabled children.

• Employee sits 4–6 hours per day; stands/walks 1–2 hours per day.
• Frequent bending/stooping; squatting/crouching; reaching above shoulders; pushing/pulling.
• Frequent carrying/lifting of up to 35 pounds, occasionally up to 50 pounds, when assisting non‑wheelchair passengers into seats (driver may assist if weight exceeds 50 pounds).
• Requires both hands for repetitive actions requiring a firm grasp or fine manipulation.
• Requires manual dexterity/mobility sufficient to maneuver children in wheelchairs and secure them while riding the bus.
• Requires sufficient vision to observe surroundings and ensure children are properly and safely seated.
• Requires sufficient hearing and speaking ability to communicate with driver, children, parents, and others.
• Knowledge of safety procedures for special‑needs children; learns each child’s special needs and discipline handling methods.
• Works outdoors with temperature changes; exposure to bodily fluids, dust, non‑air‑conditioned buses, etc.
• Requires patience and ability to care for both disabled and non‑disabled children.

Length of the work year and hours of employment shall be those established by the District (175‑day contract).

Non‑Exempt