Bus Driver - IDEA Lakeland (Immediate Opening)

IDEA Public Schools•Tampa, FL

22h

About The Position

The Bus Driver transports students on scheduled routes to and from school sites and on assigned field trips, ensuring the safety of all passengers, including students receiving special education services. The role operates an assigned bus, maintains it in safe operating condition, follows standard policies and procedures, and receives general supervision. The position is expected to work at least 32 hours 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 passenger (P) and school bus (S) endorsements.
Completion of a bus driver safety training course.
Must be over 21 years old.
Must pass alcohol and drug tests and a DOT physical examination.
Ability to understand and follow directions and feedback.
Ability to work at least 32 hours per week, excluding assigned extracurricular activities, and to work extended hours when necessary.
Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize work, adapt to changing circumstances, and work on an open calendar.

Responsibilities

Safely drive a school bus according to schedules, transporting students between their homes and school sites and on assigned field trips.
Maintain order and appropriate discipline among passengers, resolve disputes, and document and report serious disciplinary cases.
Perform established daily safety and operational inspections of the assigned vehicle.
Oversee student loading and unloading, release students only to authorized individuals, and ensure safety belts are fastened in passenger vans.
Maintain records and reports, including mileage, routing, maintenance, and schedules.
Notify appropriate individuals of delays in scheduled routes.
Keep required credentials, including CDL, medical card, and Region One credentials, current in accordance with DOT and IDEA policy.
Communicate with campus managers and receive, reflect on, and apply feedback to improve operations.
Prioritize and manage multiple tasks, adapt to changing circumstances, and complete tasks within established time constraints.

Benefits

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