Bus Driver - IDEA Lakeland (Immediate Opening)

IDEA Public Schools•Tampa, FL

2d•$18 - $23

About The Position

The Bus Driver transports students over scheduled routes to and from homes and school sites, as well as on assigned field trips, while ensuring passenger safety. The role operates under general supervision and established policies and procedures. The driver is responsible for maintaining order and discipline, safely overseeing student loading and unloading, and keeping the assigned bus in safe operating condition. The role also requires maintaining accurate route, mileage, maintenance, and time records and communicating delays or other relevant information to appropriate individuals. The position requires a valid Commercial Driver’s License with passenger and school bus endorsements, completion of bus driver safety training, and a DOT physical examination. Drivers must be over 21, pass alcohol and drug tests, and keep required credentials current. The role involves at least 32 hours of work per week, excluding assigned extracurricular activities, and may require extended hours, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Requirements

GED or high school diploma.
Experience operating large passenger vehicles, or an equivalent combination of experience and training.
Ability to manage student behavior.
Valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with class P (passenger) and S (school bus) endorsements.
Completion of a bus driver safety training course.
Must be over 21 years old.
Must pass alcohol and drug tests.
DOT Physical Examination.
Ability to understand and follow directions and feedback.
Ability to work a minimum of 32 hours per week, excluding assigned extracurricular activities.
Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays, and extended hours when necessary to meet business needs.

Responsibilities

Safely transport students on scheduled routes to and from their homes, school sites, and assigned field trips.
Drive the school bus safely and in accordance with time schedules.
Maintain order and proper discipline among passengers, resolve disputes, and document and report severe disciplinary cases.
Conduct established daily safety and operational inspections of the assigned vehicle.
Oversee student loading and unloading, release students to authorized individuals, and ensure safety belts are fastened in passenger vans.
Maintain records and reports, including mileage, routing, maintenance, and time schedules.
Notify appropriate individuals of delays in scheduled routes.
Keep required credentials, including CDL, medical card, and Region One credentials, updated according to DOT and IDEA policy.
Communicate with campus managers and respond appropriately to directions and feedback.
Prioritize and manage multiple tasks, adapt to changing circumstances, and complete tasks within established time constraints.
Reflect on personal performance and make improvements to operations.

Benefits

Hourly compensation ranging from $18.49 to $23.11, based on experience.
Performance bonus based on team performance and goal attainment.
Medical benefits with the majority of the employee premium for the base plan covered, and the majority of costs for a spouse/domestic partner and children subsidized.
Up to 8 weeks of paid family leave for eligible staff, based on tenure and caregiver designation.
Tuition reimbursement of up to 50% of qualifying tuition, with a maximum of $5,250 per year, subject to manager discretion and budget availability.
Employer-paid mental and behavioral health support, including five face-to-face counseling sessions per year, unlimited 24/7 telephone counseling, and other work-life services.
Dental and vision plans.
Disability insurance.
Life insurance.
Parenting benefits.
Generous vacation time.
Referral bonuses.
Professional development.
Relocation allowance may be offered, if applicable.