Bus Driver - Regular and Special Education

Job Overview
The Driver Bus Regular and Special Education will provide safe, efficient, and reliable transportation service by operating various school buses in transporting pupils to and from school as well as related activities while maintaining a harmonious relation with transportation staff, district administrators, teachers, coaches and community members.
Position Description
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Operation

• Transport students over assigned route, observing all traffic laws and safety regulations in accordance with state and federal laws and Fort Bend ISD Policies & Procedures
• Operate school bus in a safe manner in accordance with state, federal laws and Fort Bend ISD Policies & Procedures
• Perform vehicle Pre- and Post-trip inspections in accordance with state, federal laws and Fort Bend ISD Policy & Procedures
• Immediately report any accident, incident and/or maintenance problem in accordance with Fort Bend ISD Policies & Procedures
• Adhere to route description directions and established schedules, but in a safe manner
• Required to keep the interior of the assigned vehicle clean, presentable and properly fueled in accordance with Fort Bend ISD Policies & Procedures
• Must be able to Physically assist passengers in evacuation of the vehicle in case of emergency
• Provide physical assistance, and/or supervision, in helping special education students on and off the bus while being transported during a split shift work day
• Operate wheelchair lift equipment and assist student with special equipment such as safety vests, seat belts, wheelchairs, in braces or on crutches
• Demonstrate punctuality and reliability by regular attendance to meet the student's needs

Administrative

• Must be able to communicate effectively with parents, students, and administrators
• Must complete all required paperwork (route changes, vehicle repairs, head counts) and submit to appropriate authority in a timely manner
• Administer and enforce student discipline in accordance with Fort Bend ISD Policies & Procedures and prepare discipline reports as necessary
• Read and interpret route directions as well as read and use maps to follow directions
• Attend training sessions needed to care for special education students requiring critical care services such as suctioning, suppositories, tracheotomy cleaning, and other special procedures to maintain a high proficiency level
• Attend required in-services, safety meetings and training sessions
• Maintain a cooperative attitude with fellow employees, supervisors, parents, and school administrators
• Report any difficulties or changes in student's to the Area Supervisor
• Adhere to student Individual Education Plan document and maintain confidentiality
• Maintain the special needs bus binder of students and bus information including up-to-date route information, turn-by-turn directions and ridership information, such as student attendance records

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None

Qualification Requirements
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the above essential duties satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities, required unless otherwise stated as preferred. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentials functions.

• High School diploma or GED preferred
• Texas CDL Driver's License, Class A or B, with P and S endorsements
• Texas School Bus Driver Certification Must be enrolled in first available certification class
• Pass an Annual Physical Per (DOT) Department of Transportation Pre-Employment Physical & Drug/Alcohol test
• Crisis Prevention Intervention Certification Obtain within 30 days of hire (district-provided training); Requirement for Special Education Drivers Only
• Acceptable driving motor vehicle record based on TEA regulations/standards
• Minimum of 1 year Experience as a commercial driver is preferred
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Tact and diplomacy in dealing with students, parents, and all school personnel
• Ability to maintain effective student behavior management over group of children with special needs
• Ability to operate Special Ed Equipment such as Wheelchair lift control buttons/switches, seat belt, safety restraint, car seat, wheel chair tie downs/ ratcheting tie down straps
• Ability to assist Special Ed students into their seats and/or on & off the bus and/or securing passengers using safety equipment
• Ability to pull/push and secure wheelchairs, manual or electric, using wheelchair tie down straps
• Previous experience with special needs (If applying for special needs position) preferred

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions
The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed in classrooms, offices, work stations and meeting rooms.
The position requires occasional walking, standing, sitting, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and lifting/carrying work related items weighing less than 40 pounds, such as books, papers and presentation materials. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Attendance at conferences and professional development is required. Work involves everyday risks and discomforts which require normal safety precautions when operating equipment or performing job duties. May work prolonged or irregular hours and must be able to maintain emotional control under stress.
Additional Information

• Conditions include operating in inclement weather, heat and humidity, enduring a bumpy ride, and exposure to possible injury due to traffic accidents. Must be able to physically climb in and out of the school bus emergency doors to evacuate the bus in an emergency. There is considerable exposure to dust, traffic fumes, and high noise level from both outside traffic as well as from passengers. Psychological factors include dealing with mentally challenged children and adults, dealing with life threatening emergencies.
• Requires sufficient physical strength, agility, and dexterity to perform all essential tasks, pulling and pushing up to 300 pounds, such as an electric wheelchair, reaching in front of body and stretching overhead. Ability to jump from a height of 3 to 5 feet for bus evacuation. Duties also require frequent walking, sitting, bending, squatting, twisting, kneeling, stooping, and climbing. Requires climbing in and out of bus service door multiple times per shift. Work also requires visual acuity and physical dexterity in the frequent use of hand-eye coordination and manipulative skills using fingers, limbs and body in operating special equipment and assisting special education students. Employee is exposed to potential road hazards, including accidents, fumes from exhausts, loud noises, vehicles with and without AC, and adverse weather and climatic conditions. Employee is also exposed to potential physical hazards when operating wheelchair lift and other special equipment, and when assisting students. Work may expose employee to potential biological hazards from student body fluids. Work requires compliance with safety procedures and may require the use of safety clothing and equipment. Work outside and inside. This position may travel to various campuses, district meeting sites and conferences/meetings. This position may require the employee to work some evenings and weekends.