Transportation: School Bus Driver for the 2025/26 School Year

Traverse City Area Public Schools•Traverse City, MI

1d•$22 - $24

About The Position

The school bus driver is responsible for the safe and efficient transportation of students. S/he is accountable to the Director of Transportation or designee. Why drive a school bus for TCAPS? Paid training! New Hire Initial Licensing Bonus paid at the end of probationary period. Attendance Incentive Bonus Sign on Bonus: A new employee without credentials (e.g. CDL, etc.) will receive a $800 bonus paid at end of probationary period. A new employee with credentials shall receive $1,000 paid at the same time increments as above. Wages starting at $21.96 per hour (up to $24.47 per hour with prior public school bus driving experience); annual increases. Flexible schedule! AM and PM routes are available. Opportunity for extra work driving special trips. Medical insurance benefit eligibility at 22 hours/week with regular AM and PM runs. Paid Life Insurance Policy Paid sick, personal business, holiday, and bereavement time. Retirement plan through the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System. Tuition reimbursement program (up to 50% tuition charges paid by the district upon successfully completion of college courses). Discounts from area businesses extended to all TCAPS employees-Gordon Foods, MEEMIC Insurance, etc. The opportunity to work with some great folks!

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent.
Must have a minimum of five (5) years of driving experience.
Meets school bus driver certification requirements.
Has completed a Michigan School Bus Driver Safety Education course.
Has passed the final examination satisfactorily.
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Meets Federal DOT drug/alcohol testing requirements.
Meets Federal standards to transport preschool students.
Possesses a chauffeur’s license with proper endorsements.
Meets state and local physical examination requirements.
Meets local and/or Michigan Department of Education Competency levels of driving skills.
Meets local and/or Michigan Department of Education standards of past driving performance.
Enjoys working with elementary and secondary age students and is sensitive to their needs.
Has excellent moral character and personal habits.
Is dependable and possesses qualities of initiative, self-reliance, and leadership.
Is neat in appearance.
Is free from adverse effects of medication, alcohol, and drugs, which may impair the ability to drive.
Uses respectable language at all times.
Must be able to report on a regular and consistent basis to the assigned worksite.
Maintain consistent and punctual attendance.
Duties include sitting and driving, as well as frequent walking and physical activity.
The ability to move about the facility and/or vehicle/bus, including bending, pushing/pulling, lifting, twisting, climbing, stooping, or crouching to complete work-related tasks.
Must possess skills to safely operate a school bus, including passing a DOT physical and obtaining commercial driver’s license (CDL) with school bus endorsement and passenger endorsements .
Basic technology skills required to utilize computer and/or other office equipment (printer/copy machine, etc.) consistent with work-related tasks.
The ability to provide effective supervision of students while driving the bus.
The ability to listen and effectively communicate information and ideas to a diverse population.
The ability to effectively discern information and formulate appropriate action(s).
The ability to critically think and provide appropriate solutions.
The ability to work independently and in a team environment.
The ability to maintain effective time management.
The ability to work effectively and efficiently in high stress or conflict situations.
The ability to concentrate is a requirement to be able to drive safely, despite distractions including conversations or questions, two-way radio, traffic, etc.
The ability to concentrate on multiple tasks with frequent interruptions.
Must be able to read and comprehend written material and distinguish material using close-up vision.
Depth perception, peripheral vision, distance vision, and color perception are required for driving.
Ability to see well during various times of the day and in a variety of weather conditions while driving is required.
Must be able to pass the vision portion of DOT medical exam.

Responsibilities

Operates all types of vehicles used to transport pupils in the school district.
Is familiar with the geographic service area of the school district.
Demonstrates knowledge of local, state, and federal rules, regulations, ordinances, and laws relating to school bus operation.
Is alert and exercises good judgment concerning emergencies, disabled vehicles, and abnormal driving conditions.
Conducts pre-trip inspection of the bus prior to every trip.
Fills the fuel tank if necessary.
Follows established routes and designated bus stops.
Operates bus on approved time schedule.
Cleans the bus upon return to the garage.
Reports defective equipment to the Vehicle Service Manager on the appropriate form.
Drives with the safety of students as a first priority.
Drives defensively under varying traffic conditions and inclement weather.
Conducts emergency evacuation drills in accordance with Transportation Department guidelines.
Reports bus accidents and student injuries to the Transportation Supervisor on the appropriate forms.
Administers first aide as necessary.
Provides students with guidelines for being responsible passengers.
Enforces all Traverse City Area Public Schools Bus Passenger Rules and Regulations.
Maintains individual behavior logs as directed by the Transportation Supervisor, Chief Dispatcher, or the Bus Discipline Coordinator.
Prepares and submits Bus Conduct Reports to the Bus Discipline Coordinator as necessary.
Attends parent meetings at the request of the Transportation Supervisor or Bus Discipline Coordinator.
Informs Transportation Director, Chief Dispatcher, or Bus Discipline Coordinator of any unusual incidents or circumstances.
Exhibits a positive image as a loyal representative of the school district.
Maintains good rapport with students, parents, other drivers, supervisors, transportation maintenance and office personnel, teachers, principals, administrators, and members of the Board of Education.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Paid training!
New Hire Initial Licensing Bonus paid at the end of probationary period.
Attendance Incentive Bonus
Sign on Bonus: A new employee without credentials (e.g. CDL, etc.) will receive a $800 bonus paid at end of probationary period. A new employee with credentials shall receive $1,000 paid at the same time increments as above.
Wages starting at $21.96 per hour (up to $24.47 per hour with prior public school bus driving experience); annual increases.
Flexible schedule!
AM and PM routes are available.
Opportunity for extra work driving special trips.
Medical insurance benefit eligibility at 22 hours/week with regular AM and PM runs.
Paid Life Insurance Policy
Paid sick, personal business, holiday, and bereavement time.
Retirement plan through the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System.
Tuition reimbursement program (up to 50% tuition charges paid by the district upon successfully completion of college courses).
Discounts from area businesses extended to all TCAPS employees-Gordon Foods, MEEMIC Insurance, etc.