Bus Drivers for 2026-2027 School Year

Hickory City Schools•Hickory, NC

15h•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, operates a school bus on assigned route(s) and schedule to provide safe and efficient transportation so that students may enjoy the fullest possible advantage from the programs and offerings of the school system. Work involves performing pre- and post-trip inspections of the bus; operating a bus; obeying all traffic laws and school bus regulations while operating the bus; observing all safety regulations and standards for school buses; and maintaining discipline of students assigned to ride the bus. Employee is also responsible for completing all required reports and securing the assigned bus before leaving the vehicle at the conclusion of a run or route. Employee must exercise tact and courtesy in maintaining acceptable relations with parents/guardians of students transported and with school personnel.

Requirements

Graduation from high school.
Some experience driving large vehicles.
Some experience in transporting humans preferred.
Possess and maintain a valid North Carolina Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License with school bus certification.
Must be physically able to operate a school bus.
Must be able to quickly decelerate the bus and firmly apply the brake in an emergency situation.
Must be able to turn the steering wheel of the vehicle rapidly in an emergency situation.
Must be able to begin in a seated position with seat belt fastened, parking brake released, and engine running, secure the bus (parking brake set, key removed), rise from the seat, exit through the rearmost emergency exit, and be in position to assist passengers in exiting the bus within 20 seconds.
Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or composite characteristics of data, people or things.
Ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information in an effective manner.
Ability to receive instructions, assignments and/or directions from superiors, and communicate information and instructions to students and other persons.
Ability to read correspondence, reports, instructions, etc.
Ability to prepare correspondence, reports, etc., using proper format.
Ability to speak to people with poise, voice control and confidence.
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagrammatic form; to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in or from standardized situations.
Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions.
Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in standard English.
Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract totals.
Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
Ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in operating a school bus.
Ability to handle a variety of items, school bus equipment, control knobs, switches, etc.
Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
Ability to recognize the colors of traffic signals and devices showing standard red, green, and amber.
Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress.
Ability to talk and/or hear.
Sufficient hearing ability to distinguish warning sounds made by horns, screeching tires, sirens, grade-crossing alarms or train whistles. Hearing a forced whispered voice in the better ear at a distance of five feet is considered adequate hearing.
Considerable knowledge of safe and efficient practices and procedures used in the operation of a school bus.
Considerable knowledge of traffic laws and school bus regulations.
Considerable knowledge of safety regulations and standards for school buses.
General knowledge of Transportation Department Operating Instructions.
Ability to physically inspect the bus according to Transportation Department Operating Instructions.
Ability to detect and report observable mechanical defects or failures on the school bus.
Ability to maintain a clean school bus.
Ability to complete required reports.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative in applying standards to a variety of work situations.
Ability to exercise tact and courtesy in contact with parents/guardians or students and with school personnel.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Nice To Haves

Some experience driving large vehicles.
Some experience in transporting humans.

Responsibilities

Performs required pre-trip and post-trip inspections and document inspections as required by Transportation Department Operating Instructions for bus drivers.
Reports mechanical defect(s) or failure(s) to the appropriate personnel.
Operates the assigned school bus on the route(s) and schedule provided.
Reports any student changes that necessitate a route, bus stop, or schedule change to the supervisor.
Obeys all traffic laws and school bus regulations while operating the school bus.
Observes all safety regulations and standards for school buses, including emergency evacuations.
Maintains discipline of students assigned to ride the school bus, establishing a discipline plan consistent with school objectives.
Reports undisciplined students to the responsible school principal.
Discharges students only at authorized school or bus stop locations.
Transports only authorized students.
Keeps the school bus clean and free of debris.
Reports all accidents as required and remains at the scene until released by a supervisor.
Completes personal time card and required reports, including accident or incident reports.
Remains in charge of all students aboard the bus during an accident, assessing injuries and maintaining passenger safety.
Secures the assigned bus before leaving the vehicle at the conclusion of a run or route, including visual inspection for damage, checking for remaining passengers, and securing windows and doors.
Maintains acceptable relationships with parents/guardians of students transported and with school personnel.