School Bus Driver

First Student•Lorain, OH

6d•Onsite

About The Position

First Student is hiring part-time School Bus Drivers in Elyria, Ohio. Drivers transport students to school in the morning and safely return them home in the afternoon. Additional hours may be available for field trips and special-event transportation. No prior driving experience or CDL is required to apply; training and support are provided to help qualified candidates obtain the licenses and endorsements required for the role. The position offers a weekday split-shift schedule for morning and afternoon routes, with summers off and no required nights, weekends, or holidays. The listed hourly rate and training rate are both $24.00, dependent on experience and qualifications, with a guaranteed minimum of five paid hours per day. Sign-on and permit bonuses are available subject to conditions and deadlines. The role is safety-sensitive and subject to DOT requirements, including drug testing, physical requirements, and background screening. English proficiency is required for training, safety communications, policies, employment documents, and other job-related communications.

Requirements

Be at least 21 years old.
Have held a valid driver’s license for at least three years.
Meet requirements after training, including obtaining a Class A or Class B CDL, Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements, and air-brake qualification without restrictions.
Meet DOT physical requirements, drug and alcohol program requirements, and background screening requirements.
Be proficient in English for job-related training and communications.

Nice To Haves

A valid Class B license.
Driving experience with rideshare companies or taxi services.
Previous experience as a teacher, CDL driver, social worker, classroom assistant, hospitality worker, or customer service or retail associate.

Responsibilities

Safely transport students to and from school and activities.
Supervise students boarding and unloading at stops, including assisting with seatbelts and mobility aids.
Maintain order on the bus to prevent distractions.
Conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections of brakes, lights, tires, and emergency exits.
Promptly report mechanical issues and keep the bus clean and sanitary.
Follow traffic laws and company safety standards.
Communicate with parents, school staff, and dispatch about student behavior or delays.
Demonstrate leadership and customer service skills.

Benefits

$24.00 hourly rate, including training pay, dependent on experience and qualifications.
New-driver sign-on bonus of $500 and experienced-driver sign-on bonus of $2,000, subject to conditions.
Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance or coverage options.
401(k) retirement plan with company match.
Part-time flexible weekday split-shift schedule; no required nights, weekends, or holidays, with summers off.
Career advancement opportunities in operational, maintenance, management, and leadership roles.
Employee Assistance Program offering counseling and support services.
Employee discounts on various products and services.
Guaranteed minimum pay for five hours per day.
Child Ride-Along Program.
Safety or attendance bonuses.
Commercial Learner’s Permit bonus: $750 if obtained within seven days or $250 if obtained within 14 days, subject to conditions.