School Bus Driver

Dattco • Portland, CT

16d • Onsite

About The Position

DATTCO is a third-generation, family-owned passenger transportation company serving 30 school districts throughout Connecticut and Rhode Island. The company employs 2,500 people and transports more than 140,000 students to and from school each year. DATTCO is hiring experienced School Bus Drivers for its Portland, Connecticut location. The role involves split shifts for morning and afternoon school bus routes; additional hours may be available by coordinating with a manager. The hourly rate is $26–$30. The posting describes transparent rates for the next three years and annual pay raises, except at union locations. Employees may be eligible for unemployment insurance during the summer months.

The driver transports students on assigned routes and follows applicable laws, procedures, and safety requirements. Drivers perform vehicle inspections, report safety or maintenance concerns, maintain a safe and orderly environment for students, communicate professionally with families and school and transportation personnel, and complete required training and compliance activities. The position requires meeting Connecticut DMV, DOT/FMCSA, school district, and company requirements, including licensing, medical qualification, screening, and ongoing training. Physical tasks include lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally, repeatedly entering and exiting the vehicle, conducting inspections, and assisting passengers during boarding, exiting, and emergency evacuations.

DATTCO offers weekends off and school holiday breaks, a Bring Your Child to Work Program, a 401(k) with company match, paid holidays, longevity bonuses, an employee referral program, and career growth opportunities. The company states that it promotes from within across its brands.

Requirements

• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Must have at least three consecutive years of driving experience with a valid driver’s license.
• Must have an acceptable driving record and meet Connecticut DMV, school district, and DATTCO eligibility standards.
• Must possess, or be able to obtain or transfer before operating with students, a valid Connecticut CDL Class B with Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements. Out-of-state CDL holders may qualify subject to Connecticut DMV requirements and DATTCO approval.
• Must meet DOT/FMCSA medical qualification standards, including the physical qualification standards in 49 CFR Part 391, and maintain a valid DOT medical certificate as required.
• Must successfully complete required pre-employment screening, including fingerprinting, state and national criminal background checks, registry checks, driving record review, drug testing, and other screenings required by law, Connecticut DMV, school district policy, or DATTCO policy.
• Must participate in applicable DOT/FMCSA and/or state-required random drug and alcohol testing programs for CDL school bus drivers.
• Must complete and maintain required Connecticut DMV school bus training, proficiency, road test, annual/in-service training, safety drills, and continuing education requirements.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to enter and exit the vehicle repeatedly and perform required vehicle inspections.
• Ability to bend, kneel, reach, climb stairs, and use vehicle safety equipment.
• Ability to assist passengers during boarding, exiting, and emergency evacuations.

Nice To Haves

• Previous work experience in a classroom or working with students.

Responsibilities

• Safely transport students to and from school on assigned routes.
• Perform required pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections and report safety or maintenance concerns.
• Follow traffic laws, designated routes, railroad crossing procedures, student pick-up and drop-off procedures, and school district safety requirements.
• Maintain a safe, respectful, and orderly environment for students while operating the bus.
• Communicate professionally with students, parents or guardians, school staff, transportation supervisors, and safety personnel.
• Complete required safety training, drills, continuing education, and compliance requirements under Connecticut DMV, FMCSA/DOT, school district, and DATTCO policies.
• Assist passengers during boarding, exiting, and emergency evacuations.

Benefits

• Weekends off and school holiday breaks.
• Bring Your Child to Work Program to help save on childcare.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Career growth opportunities and promotion from within across DATTCO company brands.
• Paid holidays.
• Annual pay raises, with future rates transparent for the next three years at non-union locations.
• Longevity bonuses.
• May be eligible for unemployment insurance during summer months.
• Employee referral program offering $1,000 bonuses to eligible current employees who refer someone.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed