Training & Safety Specialist - Transportation

Norfolk Public School District•Norfolk, VA

About The Position

The Training & Safety Specialist organizes and conducts all facets of school bus driver training using established guidelines, policies and procedures; participates in recruitment, selection and preparation for CDL licensing; performs a variety of safety related activities (crash investigation, prevention classes etc.). Duties are performed under the general supervision of the Operations Supervisor and Director of Transportation. Supervision is exercised directly over bus drivers and attendants during training, with technical supervision over safety related activities after initial training.

Requirements

Thorough knowledge of the local and state school bus driver licensing and certification requirements and related school personnel and transportation policies.
Thorough knowledge of accident prevention and investigation techniques.
Thorough knowledge of school transportation training requirements, and related safety techniques and strategies, and the ability to communicate this knowledge to drivers and students.
Good knowledge of the geography of the Norfolk area (traffic patterns, location of school facilities, etc.).
Ability to plan and conduct the training program for bus drivers and conduct class and on-the-road training activities.
Ability to make concise objective judgements and analysis of individual strengths and weaknesses.
Ability to drive a school bus.
Ability to work a flexible daily schedule.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with drivers, administrators, parents, students and members of the public.
Ability to supervise and evaluate bus drivers and assistants.
Familiarity with the Commercial Driver's License program and procedures for obtaining such licenses in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Must remain up to date on DMV, DOE and Federal policies relating to School Transportation.
Familiarity with various software programs for conducting and recording training and logging documentation (Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Suite, Laserfiche, Routing System, Tracking/GPS, etc.)
Completion of high school or GED, and considerable successful school bus driving experience, and some successful experience as a school transportation trainer; or any equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the above noted knowledge, skill, and ability.
Excellent driving record.
Certification as a State Commercial Driver's License instructor and examiner.
Commercial Driver's License with school bus endorsement.
Possession of the physical attributes required to carry out essential functions, including strength, agility, dexterity, and ocular-motor reaction time to operate a school bus at all times including emergency situations.
Work requires extensive time riding a bus.
Work requires normal walking, standing, climbing on-off school bus.

Responsibilities

Evaluates the work of bus drivers and attendants.
Conducts classroom and behind-the-wheel training for new hires (drivers and attendants) in accordance with State Department of Education curriculum; demonstrates proper and safe operation of school buses; conducts road training which includes proper handling of buses in various traffic and weather conditions.
Prepares drivers for CDL examination; conducts training for recertification, driver improvement, new driver processing, special education training, and defensive driving; conducts specialized passenger assistance training for drivers and attendants for disabled students.
Reviews film from cameras on buses and communicates observations to support the field supervisors.
Conducts classroom and on-vehicle training for all employees required to have a Commercial Driver's License.
Makes arrangements with appropriate state divisions of motor vehicles for the proper licensing of all drivers of school board owned vehicles.
Maintains records of driver training annual evaluations, learning abilities, aptitude and driving habits.
Assists in or performs a variety of safety activities, including performing accident investigations, representing NPS at accidents involving system vehicles.
Serves as liaison for all NPS vehicular and personal injury accidents for the Department of Transportation to Risk Management.
Maintains records for safety awards recognition, maintains records related to driver and attendant trainings, maintains physicals, evaluations, drug testing and DMV records for all employees holding a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
Maintains DMV third party examiner reports and ensures reporting criteria is submitted to proper agency within a timely manner.
Participates in DMV audits as required.
Administers “refresher courses” for all drivers, attendants and office personnel as needed throughout the year, assists with conducting annual in-service trainings.
Serves as bus driver in emergencies and performs related duties as required or assigned.