Head Start Bus Monitor

YMCA OF FREDERICK COUNTY•Frederick, MD

1d•$15 - $15

About The Position

The Head Start Bus Monitor supports the YMCA of Frederick County’s work to strengthen the community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The role assists with transporting children and parents or families between program activities and home or bus stops, including on field trips, and helps keep the vehicle clean and in safe operating condition. Bus assignments and routes may change as needed for program operations. The split-shift schedule is Monday through Friday, with hours of 7–9 a.m. and/or 2:45–5 p.m. The monitor helps ensure children’s safety and well-being during transportation, supports learning and appropriate behavior on the bus, and communicates relevant information to drivers, supervisors, classroom staff, and other appropriate staff. The position also assists with vehicle checks, cleaning, and required records, and must follow Head Start standards, child care licensing regulations, YMCA policies, and confidentiality requirements.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old unless local or state regulation sets a higher minimum age.
Knowledge of area streets and locations.
Ability to work sensitively with staff, children, and parents.
Ability to organize time efficiently and accept responsibility, sometimes with limited supervision.
Physical, emotional, and mental ability to assist the Bus Driver with a vehicle full of children safely and pleasantly.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or GED preferred.
Knowledge of local resources, customs, and languages is helpful.

Responsibilities

Notify the driver and/or supervisor of safety issues or concerns.
Interact with children on the bus to extend and reinforce classroom learning.
Work with the Bus Driver to teach children safe bus boarding and exiting procedures and explain vehicle danger zones.
Address child safety and behavioral concerns while the bus is in motion.
Ensure each child is secured in an appropriate Child Safety Restraint System that is correctly adjusted.
Share daily information with classroom staff, including parent conversations and observations of children.
Independently check that the bus is empty at the end of each run and ensure all children are accounted for.
Report information or concerns about Head Start families to appropriate staff.
Know routes, stop locations, and which children should board or exit at each stop.
Respond respectfully and professionally to Head Start children and families.
Help keep the vehicle interior clean and assist with exterior cleaning as weather allows.
Maintain accurate records required by the program.
Immediately report vehicle damage or malfunctions to the Bus Driver.
Assist the Bus Driver with pre- and post-trip vehicle checks and complete the interior safety checklist, including maintaining fire safety supplies and seat belts.
Attend required workshops and meetings.
Understand Head Start Performance Standards, local child care licensing regulations, and regulations related to occupational disease and injury prevention, universal precautions, and contamination prevention.
Promote Head Start positively in the community.
Maintain strict confidentiality regarding Head Start children, families, and staff.
Become familiar with and follow the YMCA Employee Handbook, Head Start Operations Manual, and other YMCA Head Start handbooks, manuals, and resources.