Bus Aide

Buckeye Elementary School District•Buckeye, AZ

21h•Onsite

About The Position

The Bus Aide/Bus Monitor assists the school bus driver in maintaining a safe, orderly, and supportive transportation environment for students traveling to and from school and district-authorized activities. The position monitors student behavior, assists students with boarding and exiting the bus, supports individualized transportation and safety procedures, and responds appropriately to routine situations and emergencies. It promotes the safety, dignity, and well-being of all students, including students who require additional assistance or specialized transportation supports. The Bus Aide works collaboratively with the bus driver, Transportation Department, school personnel, families, and other district staff to transport students in accordance with district procedures and applicable laws and regulations. This is a part-time, non-exempt position scheduled for 29 hours per week on a 10-month work calendar. Schedules generally follow student transportation routes and may involve early morning and afternoon shifts, split shifts, and occasional additional assignments. Work is primarily on a school bus and in outdoor loading and unloading areas, school parking lots, and other designated transportation locations. The role involves regular interaction with elementary and middle school students, including students with varied behavioral, developmental, communication, mobility, and health-related needs. The employee must complete required district training and demonstrate competency in assigned safety procedures before independently performing duties that require that training. The position requires compliance with district policies and procedures, transportation requirements, applicable laws, and supervisor directives.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent certificate.
Obtain and maintain a valid AZ DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.
Excellent communication skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively with various stakeholders.
Punctuality and reliability in performing duties.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of student, family, and district information and exercise discretion in school business matters.
Knowledge of and adherence to proper lifting methods and safety procedures.
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions, established safety procedures, assigned routes, and schedules.
Ability to maintain appropriate student supervision, respond calmly to challenging situations, and exercise sound judgment.
Ability to successfully complete required district screening, background clearance, and other applicable pre-employment requirements.
Ability to complete required job-specific training, including student safety, emergency procedures, and assigned specialized transportation procedures.
Ability to meet the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Must maintain required clearances and certifications throughout employment.
Knowledge of student supervision practices and school bus safety procedures.
Knowledge of age-appropriate expectations for elementary and middle school students.
Knowledge of positive behavior support, redirection, and de-escalation techniques.
Knowledge of emergency response, evacuation procedures, and incident reporting.
Knowledge of student confidentiality requirements and appropriate professional boundaries.
Knowledge of procedures for assisting students with individualized transportation needs, as applicable to assigned routes.
Knowledge of district policies and procedures related to student conduct, safety, attendance, and transportation.
Skill in communicating clearly, respectfully, and effectively with students and adults; observing behavior and identifying safety concerns; providing calm, consistent supervision and redirection; following procedures; documenting incidents; collaborating with drivers and district personnel; and using appropriate student assistance and safety equipment after required training.
Ability to maintain active awareness of students, recognize hazards, and take appropriate action to protect student safety.
Ability to follow instructions reliably, respond calmly and professionally during emergencies or behavioral incidents, and support students respectfully while maintaining appropriate boundaries and dignity.
Ability to protect confidential information and share it only with authorized individuals who have a legitimate educational or operational need.
Ability to work independently within established procedures and seek assistance when a situation exceeds assigned authority or training.
Ability to enter and exit a school bus using available steps and handrails; sit for extended periods while maintaining active supervision; stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, and maintain balance as needed; assist with boarding, exiting, and emergency evacuation; push, pull, lift, or reposition student-related equipment and supplies as assigned; and hear, communicate, and visually observe sufficiently to perform essential safety functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to respond promptly to safety concerns and emergencies and perform tasks safely in the confined space of a bus and around loading and unloading areas.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience working with children in a school, childcare, transportation, or related setting.
Experience supporting students with disabilities or students who require additional behavioral, communication, mobility, or personal-care assistance.
Current First Aid and CPR certification, or willingness and ability to obtain and maintain certification within the timeframe established by the District.

Responsibilities

Assist the bus driver in maintaining a safe, orderly, and respectful environment on the bus.
Monitor students during boarding, transportation, and unloading, including at designated stops and school loading areas as assigned.
Help students board and exit safely, providing assistance appropriate to their age, abilities, and individual needs.
Reinforce bus rules, provide reminders and redirection, and report repeated or serious behavior concerns to the driver and supervisor.
Observe students for distress, illness, injury, bullying, unsafe behavior, or other concerns, and take appropriate action within training and assigned responsibilities.
Support supervision during transitions between the bus and designated school or parent/guardian pickup locations, as assigned.
Follow student release, authorized pickup, and transportation safety procedures.
Report unsafe conditions, equipment concerns, route hazards, and other potential risks to appropriate district personnel.
Assist students with mobility, communication, behavioral, or personal-care needs as assigned and consistent with training, district procedures, and individualized student plans.
Assist with approved safety restraints, mobility devices, wheelchair lifts, specialized seating, or other transportation equipment when assigned and properly trained.
Follow applicable IEP transportation provisions, health plans, emergency plans, and other authorized student support procedures.
Provide assistance that respects student dignity, privacy, and independence, and communicate observations to authorized personnel without independently changing prescribed support procedures.
Assist the bus driver with emergency response and evacuation procedures in accordance with district training and protocols.
Notify the driver and appropriate district personnel of accidents, injuries, medical concerns, missing students, unauthorized pickup attempts, and other significant incidents.
Provide First Aid or CPR within the scope of current training and applicable procedures when necessary.
Participate in required safety drills, emergency training, and other assigned transportation safety activities.
Complete incident reports, student behavior documentation, and other required records accurately and promptly.
Communicate professionally and respectfully with students, parents/guardians, school staff, and district personnel.
Refer parent/guardian concerns, transportation change requests, complaints, and matters outside the position's authority to the driver or appropriate supervisor.
Protect confidential student and family information in accordance with applicable law and district policy.
Attend required meetings, orientations, and training sessions.
Perform assigned post-route student checks and other end-of-route safety procedures to ensure no student remains on the bus.
Assist with routine bus cleanliness and readiness, and report maintenance or sanitation concerns to appropriate personnel.
Complete required district training and demonstrate competency in assigned safety procedures before independently performing duties requiring that training.
Comply with applicable district policies, procedures, and student transportation requirements.
Perform other related duties as assigned that are consistent with the position's scope, qualifications, and training.