Bus Driver

Itinerant School Bus Driver

Bus Drivers contracted for a minimum of 4 hours per day for the school year to be assigned to any available am and pm route on any given day. Individuals in this position Safely Transport students and other authorized persons over "to and from school" prescribed routes, and on field, extracurricular and special or extra activity trips as authorized by the school district officials.

Essential Job Functions

• Operate assigned school bus in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington and policies set forth by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
• Operate school buses under all types of weather conditions, including but not limited to, fog, rain, hail, sleet, snow and ice.
• Drive a school bus within the prescribed routes (s) in accordance with time schedules, picking up and discharging students at designated stops understanding that route assignments may change daily.
• Oversee the loading and unloading of students ensuring that all safety precautions are followed.
• Conduct safety and operational inspection of assigned vehicles at least twice a day.
• Ensure maintenance of bus in safe and clean operating condition as defined within the standards set by the transportation department.
• Monitor and follow prescribed instructions and procedures for students with special health conditions
• Load, unload and secure students in wheelchairs including verifying operational safety of wheelchairs (including safety belts, tires and brakes) and, permitting only properly functioning wheelchairs on bus.
• Ensure the proper operation of the computerized global positioning system (GPS) unit assigned to each bus and appropriately operate the two-way radio equipment on buses in order to sustain communication with the Transportation Dispatching Unit.
• Maintain good order and proper discipline among students on buses following district and department policies and procedures.
• Develop and maintain congenial and collaborative relationships with parents and the general public.
• Maintains a variety of records as required including the daily bus reports, mileage, routing, maintenance.
• Attend professional development opportunities to maintain appropriate licensing, and develop skills necessary to meet student needs.
• Possess and keep current a DOT physical and First Aid/CPR requirements.
• Be flexible and willing to perform other school bus driver and miscellaneous duties as directed

Qualifications

• Minimum age 21.
• Possess a valid Washington State Driver's Permit, Class B CDL with passenger and school bus endorsements.
• Have or be able to obtain a current, valid medical examiner's certificate.
• Have or be able to obtain a current First Aid/CPR Certification

Essential Criteria

• Complete a Washington State Patrol and a Federal Bureau of Investigation background record check that does not indicate any disqualifying conditions.
• Complete a school bus driver training program overseen by an authorized school bus driver instructor.
• Meet all the continuing requirements for holding a school bus driver authorization, including a review of a five-year school bus driver abstract of your driver record.
• Possess strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work professionally with persons at all levels
• Demonstrated ability to independently respond to problematic situations and to remain calm under stress
• Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate records and enter and maintain data in automated systems
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to quickly adapt to new circumstances as they arise.

Terms of Employment and Salary Placement

As outlined by and in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) of Local 1135-MT of the Washington State Council of County and City Employees, AFSCME, AFL-CIO and Policies and Procedures of Mead School District. CBAs and Salary Schedules can be reviewed from the Human Resources page of the Mead School District website. Mead policies and Procedures can be accessed online.

Application

All applicants interested in this position, must apply for this posting through a link to our online applicant system found on the website. Upload the required documents to your application. Below is a list of required materials. If you have questions regarding this process, you may contact Shelli Nemec at the District Administration Building or email [email protected]. The application must be complete. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Required Documents for a Complete Application

1. Your Letter of Interest, which speaks specifically to your abilities in the area you are applying for.
2. Three Letters of Recommendation (current within 3 years).
3. Valid Driver's License.
4. Driving Abstract (Only provide if you already have your school bus endorsement).

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Verification of Identity and United States Work Authorization

Verification of identity and United States work authorization must be completed before employment commences. The successful candidate for this position must be fingerprinted. Employment is contingent upon clearance by the Washington State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Mead School District #354 is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against otherwise qualified applicants on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, color, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, homelessness, immigration or citizenship status, disability, neurodivergence, the use of a trained dog guide or service animal, age, and honorably discharged veteran or military status and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.