Lead Bus Driver

Lead Bus Driver

The purpose of a Lead Bus Driver is to provide transportation services with specific responsibility for transporting students over scheduled routes and to / from special excursions; assist in the planning and coordination of bus routes and schedules; ensure vehicle is in safe operating condition; and ensure safety of students during transport, loading, and unloading from buses. This job reports to an assigned administrator.

Essential functions include : assessing incidents, complaints, accidents, and / or potential emergency situations; assisting in planning and coordinating bus routes and schedules; assisting passengers; attending meetings, workshops, and / or in-service training; communicating with supervisor and other transportation staff; conducting emergency evacuation drills; driving school buses; informing passengers of appropriate behavior; maintaining vehicles; monitoring passengers during transit; performing general clerical functions; performing pre-trip and post-trip inspections; preparing manual and electronic records and reports; and responding to inquiries from students, parents, and / or staff.

Other functions include : performing other related duties as assigned.

Job requirements : minimum qualifications include skills in adhering to safety practices, applying job-related codes, regulations and laws, operating light and heavy duty vehicles, and preparing and maintaining accurate records. Knowledge includes basic vehicle maintenance, health and safety regulations, interpersonal skills, job-related codes / laws / rules / regulations / policies, proper methods of utilizing restraints, safety seats, tie downs, lifts, and other related equipment, recordkeeping and record retention practices, safe driving practices, safety practices and procedures, and student behavior management strategies and techniques. Ability includes accuracy and attention to detail, adapting to changing priorities, communicating with diverse groups, displaying tact and courtesy, establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with others, maintaining confidentiality, meeting deadlines and schedules, operating motor vehicles, understanding and following oral and written directions, working as part of a team, working under time constraints, and working with frequent interruptions.

Responsibilities include : working under limited supervision using standardized routines; providing information and / or advising others; operating within a defined budget. Utilization of resources from other work units may be required to perform the job's functions. There is a continual opportunity to impact the organization's services. The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands : significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and / or pulling, frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and / or crawling, significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 50% sitting, 25% walking, and 25% standing. The job is performed under some temperature variations and under conditions with exposure to risk of injury and / or illness. Job related experience is desired. Education is a high school diploma or equivalent. Equivalency is graduation from high school or equivalent and two years of experience as a school bus driver. Retention is in accordance with Education Code 45301, an employee appointed to this class must serve a probationary period of one hundred thirty (130) days of paid regular service (excluding days absent for illness or injury) during which time an employee must demonstrate at least an overall satisfactory performance. Failure to do so shall result in the employee's termination.

Required testing includes : screening for most qualified candidates, training and experience evaluation, a written test, a performance test, and / or a qualifications appraisal interview. Certificates and licenses required include : valid California Class A or B commercial Driver License with passenger and air brake endorsement, School Bus Driver California Special Driver - School Bus Certificate issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, valid DMV Medical Certificate (Forms MCSA-5875 and 5876), and valid First Aid / CPR Certification. Continuing education / training includes : fingerprint and background clearance, drug test, and tuberculosis clearance.