Bus Driver

SOUTH MIDDLESEX OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL•Framingham, MA

49d•$0 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

Transportation of children from their homes to our Child Care/Head Start Centers and Family Child Care homes in our communities, following established schedules. Established and maintain a safe environment for the children. This is a year-round position.

Requirements

Valid MA CDL with “S” endorsement and School Bus Driver Certificate required.
Must have excellent driving record.
Must be comfortable working with diverse backgrounds and able to effectively communicate with children, families and co-workers.
Must be or become certified in CPR & First Aid within the time frame required by EEC licensing.
Must be able to handle the physical aspects of the position including the lifting of a child during bus evacuations.
Recent physical exam determining good health and meeting all EEC and DOT requirements. Must submit proof of physical exam every 2 years thereafter.
Successful background check is required.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual Spanish or Portuguese skills a plus.
Priority given to past or present Head Start parents.

Responsibilities

Follow all SMOC policies, EEC regulations and Head Start Standards.
Follow SMOC’s Transportation Plan.
Follow all safety rules as children board and exit the buses and for the release of children to authorized adults.
Comply with all traffic regulations to operate vehicles in a safe and courteous manner.
Conduct proper vehicle pre-trip inspection at the start of each day and inspection of bus at the start of each run.
Promptly report all bus maintenance issues to the Transportation Manager for the program.
Conduct proper vehicle inspection at the end of each run to ensure that all children have exited the bus.
Ensure a bus monitor is on all runs with Head Start children. For childcare, a monitor is required if there are 8 or more children on the run. If there is not a bus monitor for a childcare run, the driver must call into the center upon arrival for an additional reviewer to check the bus for any children and sign their attendance before they leave the bus. In the case of no monitor, the driver must handle the monitor responsibilities, including attendances with times, knowing how many children are on the bus at all times, signing children off, and checking IDs.
Ensure one person on every run is certified in First Aid and CPR procedures.
Attend all required staff meetings and training sessions.
Complete all annual trainings such as: Strong start and maintaining at least 8 hours per year.
Participate in drug testing when called upon.
Keep bus interiors clean and safe for the children.
Promptly report delays, accidents, or other traffic and transportation issues using cell phone or two-way radio.
Renew CDL license as needed, Bus Driver Certificate annually along with self-certification.
Maintain confidentiality of client, employee and agency information in accordance with federal and state laws and funder requirements.
Ensure compliance with program/department, agency and/or funder requirements, as well as, SMOC policies & procedures.
Engage all families by understanding and addressing their needs whether within or outside the scope of work.
Perform other duties as assigned, including driving buses for regen, gassing up buses, picking up or dropping off buses for maintenance or repairs, picking up food for centers, and transporting items between centers, to ensure paid hours are met.

Benefits

Paid Time Off: Up to 3 weeks of vacation and 2 weeks of sick time for full-time employees.
12 paid holidays during the first year of employment for full-time employees.
Employer-paid Life Insurance & AD&D for full-time employees.
Employer-paid Long-Term Disability for full-time employees.
Comprehensive Benefits Package including Medical Plans through Mass General Brigham with an HRA Employer cost-sharing program.
Dental Plans with Orthodontic Coverage.
EyeMed Vision Insurance available to full-time employees.
403(B) Retirement Plan with a company match starting on day one for all full-time and part-time employees.
Additional voluntary benefits including: Term and Whole Life Insurance, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital indemnity, and Short-Term Disability.
Flexible Spending Accounts.
Dependent Care Accounts.
Employee Assistance Program.
Tuition Reimbursement.