Bus Driver - IDEA Edinburg (Immediate Opening)

IDEA Public Schools • Edinburg, TX

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Bus Driver transports students along scheduled routes to and from homes and school sites, as well as on assigned field trips, while ensuring passenger safety. The role includes transporting special education students, maintaining order and appropriate discipline, and keeping the assigned bus in safe operating condition. The position receives general supervision and follows standard policies and procedures.

The driver conducts daily vehicle inspections, oversees student loading and unloading, verifies that students are released to authorized individuals, and ensures seat belts are fastened in passenger vans. The role also maintains records such as mileage, routing, maintenance, and schedules; reports delays and serious disciplinary matters; and keeps required credentials current. Drivers must communicate with campus managers, respond constructively to feedback, adapt to changing circumstances, and manage multiple tasks and priorities.

The position requires a minimum of 32 hours per week, not including assigned extracurricular activities. Evening, weekend, and holiday work may be required, as may extended hours to meet business needs.

Compensation is an hourly rate ranging from $19.00 for zero years of experience to $23.75. The role is eligible for a performance bonus based on team performance and goal attainment. IDEA Public Schools is a multi-state network of tuition-free Pre-K–12 public charter schools serving more than 80,000 students in 143 schools across Texas, Florida, and Ohio.

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.
• Must pass a DOT physical examination.
• Ability to understand and follow directions and feedback, communicate with campus managers, and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Availability to work a minimum of 32 hours per week, excluding assigned extracurricular activities, and to work evenings, weekends, holidays, or extended hours when necessary.

Responsibilities

• Safely drive a school bus according to scheduled routes and time schedules, transporting students to and from their homes, school sites, and assigned field trips.
• Ensure the safety of all passengers, including special education students.
• Maintain order and appropriate discipline among passengers; resolve disputes and document and report severe disciplinary cases.
• Conduct established daily safety and operational inspections of the assigned vehicle and help ensure it remains in safe operating condition.
• Oversee student loading and unloading, release students to authorized individuals, and ensure seat 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 a CDL, medical card, and Region One credentials, current in accordance with DOT and IDEA policy.
• Communicate with managers of the campuses served and respond to directions and feedback.
• Prioritize and manage multiple tasks, adapt to changing circumstances, and work within established time constraints.

Benefits

• Base medical plan with the majority of the employee premium covered; the majority of costs for a spouse/domestic partner and children are 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 qualifying tuition costs, capped at $5,250 per year and 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.
• A relocation allowance may be offered, if applicable.
• Performance bonus based on team performance and goal attainment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED