Substitute / On-Call School Bus Driver

Guadalupe Centers Charter Schools•Kansas City, MO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Guadalupe Centers Charter Schools (GCCS) serves more than 1,600 PreK–12 students through a free, open-enrollment public charter school system in Kansas City, Missouri. Its schools include Guadalupe Centers Elementary School, Guadalupe Centers Middle School, and Guadalupe Centers High School. GCCS grew out of Guadalupe Centers’ educational programs, part of the longest continuously operating agency serving the Latinx community in the United States since 1919. Its mission is to prepare students academically, socially, and emotionally for college, career, and life success. The Substitute / On-Call School Bus Driver provides safe, reliable student transportation when regular drivers are unavailable or additional coverage is needed. This is an as-needed position without a guaranteed daily route, regular schedule, minimum number of assignments, or minimum hours. Substitute drivers may be contacted for morning or afternoon routes, field trips, athletic events, extracurricular activities, special activities, and other approved transportation needs. Assignments may be offered on short notice, depending on district needs and driver availability. The driver operates GCCS buses or other assigned district vehicles in accordance with applicable Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requirements, state and federal laws, and GCCS policies and procedures. The position reports to the Director of Transportation. Assignments may occur early in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening, or at other times based on transportation needs.

Requirements

Valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with required Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements.
Compliance with applicable Missouri school bus driver licensing and qualification requirements.
Current medical or physical certification as required for the position.
Successful completion of required criminal background checks and fingerprinting.
Compliance with applicable drug and alcohol testing requirements.
Completion of required school bus driver training and annual training requirements.
Ability to maintain all required credentials and qualifications for continued employment and eligibility for substitute assignments.
Demonstrated safe and defensive driving practices.
Ability to safely operate different buses or transportation vehicles within the driver's qualifications.
Ability to learn and follow unfamiliar routes and transportation instructions.
Ability to maintain appropriate student behavior and respond calmly to student or transportation concerns.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Dependability and punctuality when accepting an assignment.
Ability to respond appropriately during emergencies.
Ability to work independently while following GCCS transportation policies and procedures.
Ability to enter and exit the vehicle safely, lift up to 35 pounds, perform required vehicle inspections, and operate vehicle controls and safety equipment.
Ability to assist students with boarding or exiting when necessary and appropriate, respond to emergencies, and participate in student evacuation procedures.
Ability to perform other physical activities necessary to fulfill transportation responsibilities safely, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
Previous school bus driving, commercial driving, or large-vehicle driving experience preferred.
Experience working with school-age children is desirable.

Responsibilities

Safely operate a school bus or other assigned district vehicle for routes and transportation assignments provided by GCCS.
Provide substitute coverage for regular morning and afternoon routes as needed.
Transport students for field trips, athletic events, extracurricular activities, and other approved school activities when assigned.
Follow assigned routes, schedules, stops, and transportation instructions.
Safely load and unload students at designated locations using required safety procedures, warning systems, and signals.
Maintain appropriate student conduct and a safe, orderly environment during transportation.
Conduct required student checks at the end of each route or transportation assignment.
Perform required pre-trip and post-trip inspections and ensure required safety equipment is present and functioning.
Immediately report mechanical problems, vehicle damage, safety concerns, and other vehicle issues to Transportation leadership.
Maintain assigned vehicles in a safe and orderly condition.
Maintain required inspection, mileage, time-worked, route, incident, and accident records.
Comply with applicable DESE, Missouri Department of Revenue, FMCSA, and GCCS transportation requirements, as well as drug and alcohol testing requirements and GCCS safety procedures.
Maintain required licenses, endorsements, medical certifications, and other credentials.
Follow district procedures regarding student confidentiality and transportation records.
Maintain reasonable communication with the Transportation Department about availability and respond promptly to coverage requests when available.
Report to assigned locations on time and prepared; review route information and special instructions before unfamiliar assignments.
Notify Transportation leadership as soon as possible if unable to complete an accepted assignment.
Follow accident, emergency, student evacuation, and severe-weather procedures; promptly communicate accidents, significant delays, student safety concerns, and emergencies to appropriate GCCS personnel.
Remain familiar with emergency equipment and vehicle evacuation procedures.
Communicate professionally and courteously with students, families, school personnel, Transportation staff, and the public.
Report student behavior, transportation, and safety concerns through established district procedures and represent GCCS professionally.
Perform other transportation-related duties as assigned.