Substitute Specialty Trip Driver

Palmdale School District•Palmdale, CA

7h•Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Transportation Director and/or designee, operate a bus to transport passengers on activity trips safely and efficiently. In addition, provides services to other agencies as necessary for special activities. Drivers will also transport passengers to and from school as deemed necessary, follow designated routes per time schedules, ensure the bus is in safe operating condition, and perform a variety of duties relative to the assigned area of responsibility. Substitute personnel work on an on-call, as-needed basis. Due to the nature of the work, employees in this class receive minimal supervision and are expected to follow established rules and guidelines. However, incumbents report to the supervisor who is readily available via two-way radio or cellular phone and can provide direction on more serious situations that may arise, such as traffic accidents/injuries. Success in this class is based on the incumbent’s ability to drive a large vehicle safely concentrating on road conditions while maintaining good order among passengers on the bus; following written and oral instructions, and performing required duties in accordance with strict time schedules.

Requirements

Graduation from high school or evidence of equivalent educational proficiency.
Successful completion of a minimum of 20 hours of classroom instruction related to skills and safety requirements for driving a school bus; and successful completion of a minimum of 20 hours of instruction behind the wheel of a school bus required.
One year of experience in driving a large transit school bus.
Valid Class A or B, California Commercial Driver License with Passenger, School Bus, and Air Brake Endorsements
Possession of a current Medical Examination Report (MEC Form, MCSA-5875).
California Special Driver Certificate designated for School Bus (with no restrictions for Air Brakes and/or Conventional Type-II buses only) issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Valid First Aid certificate comparable to the American Red Cross Standard First Aid certificate, or approved by California Emergency Medical Service Authority (EMSA) School Bus Training program providers.
Ability to be insured, and continue to be insurable, by the District's liability insurance carrier.
Valid picture identification is required prior to admittance.
Valid Class A or B, California Commercial Driver License with Passenger, School Bus, and Air Brake Endorsements
Medical Examination Report (MEC Form, MCSA-5875)
California Special Driver Certificate designated for School Bus, issued by the California DMV
K4 Driving Record
First Aid Certificate (comparable to American Red Cross or approved by EMSA School Bus Training program providers.

Responsibilities

Drives a school bus over designated activity trips/routes in accordance with time schedules, picking up and discharging passengers.
Transports passengers on activity trips to various locations, while observing departure and arrival times as scheduled.
Assists in inventory of safety vests, straps, and wheelchair tie-downs, clean safety vests, straps, and wheelchair tie-downs; assist in vehicle inventory and assessment of damages.
Inspects bus prior to operation for safety purposes as required (Calif. Code Regulations 13 § 1215 Vehicle Condition), and additional components in accordance with District standards.
Monitors camera systems to ensure they are functioning properly.
Maintains proper fuel and fluid levels.
Cleans exterior and interior of buses, including windshields, windows, headlights, wheels, picking up debris, sweeping and mopping the floor, wiping and cleaning upholstery, and bodily fluids.
Operates a lift ramp and assists special education students to load and unload bus.
Follows specific transportation requirements in student IEPs.
Secures passengers in car seats; five-point restraint system, safety vest special equipment, and wheelchairs as appropriate.
Ensures that required safety devices are secure and properly used (e.g. seat belts, car seats, five-point safety system, safety vest, wheelchair seat belt, and anchor tie-downs).
Manages and maintains appropriate behavior among passengers during travel and while bus is parked at designated bus stops; follows District policies regarding passenger control, and contact with parents and the public.
Administers routine first aid or emergency assistance to passengers; files accident reports.
Reports mechanical problems or equipment malfunctions, and all incidents affecting the safety of passengers.
Maintains records of all activity trips; prepares and completes accurate records as required by State and District laws, regulations, and policies.
Retains student release forms, and verifies passengers are released only to a parent or someone designated by the parent or school.
Escorts students across streets, stopping traffic when necessary, as warranted by traffic, road, and weather conditions (California Vehicle Code § 22112).
Checks buses at the culmination of each assigned activity trip to ensure no passengers or property are left behind.
Oversees evacuations of passengers during emergency situations.
Utilizes two-way radio systems or other devices (i.e. cell phone) to communicate with dispatch staff during field trips or emergencies, only when the bus is stopped at a safe location and secured.
Keeps current and maintains all driver's licenses, special driver certificates, DOT Medical Exams, and First Aid credentials as required to drive in the State of California.
Attends scheduled safety meetings and safety programs, necessary in-services, classroom, and behind-the-wheel training.
Backfills for daily student bus routes as needed.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted during the course of work.
Performs other duties as required to accomplish the objectives of the position.