Classified - Transportation

Job Title:  Bus Driver

Reports to:  Supervisor, Transportation

Work Schedule/FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt, 9 months per year

Tenure Track: No

Social Security Contribution:  Required

Salary:  Transportation Code B121

Purpose Statement

The Springfield, Missouri Public School District is currently seeking qualified applicants for the position of Bus Driver in the Transportation Department.

The Springfield School District is Missouri’s largest public school district and has built a reputation of academic excellence based on the outstanding performance of our students and schools. About 25,000 students attend 36 elementary schools, an intermediate school, 9 middle schools, 5 high schools and a variety of alternative education and choice programs.

The job of Bus Driver was established for the purpose/s of providing support to the educational process with specific responsibilities for transporting students over scheduled routes and/or to/from special excursions; ensuring vehicle is in safe operating condition; and ensuring safety of students during transport, loading and unloading from buses.

Essential Functions

• Advises students and other passengers of appropriate behavior for the purpose of reinforcing established guidelines and maintaining passenger safety.
• Reports incidents, complaints, accidents and/or potential emergency situations (e.g. road hazards, medical emergencies, accidents, ) to their supervisor for the purpose of resolving and/or recommending a resolution to the situation.
• Assists students and other passengers for the purpose of providing safe loading and unloading from buses during normal transport and emergency situations.
• Attends unit meetings, in-service training, workshops, for the purpose of gathering information required to perform job functions.
• Keeps interior of vehicles swept, and exterior windows clean for the purpose of ensuring safety, appearance, and sanitation of vehicle.
• Conducts emergency evacuation drills for the purpose of ensuring efficiency of procedures and complying with mandated requirements.
• Drives school bus/s for the purpose of transporting passengers over scheduled routes to and from school and/or field trips in a safe and timely manner.
• Fuels assigned vehicle for the purpose of maintaining vehicle in a safe operating condition.
• Informs other school personnel and parents of events, policies and/or practices (e.g. scheduled stops, established routes, route conditions) for the purpose of providing information and/or clarification of procedures.
• Inputs pre-trip and post trip data into Zonar for the purpose of maintaining accurate records and compliance with state regulations.
• Monitors students and other passengers during transit for the purpose of ensuring the safe transportation of all passengers.
• Performs pre-trip and post-trip inspections (e.g. fluid levels, tire pressure, exterior condition) for the purpose of ensuring the safe operating condition of the vehicle and complying with mandated regulations.
• Prepares reports (e.g. incident reports, passenger referrals, routing information) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference, conveying information, and/or complying with established guidelines.
• Reports observations and/or incidents (e.g. discipline, accidents, inappropriate social behavior) for the purpose of communicating information to appropriate personnel for their action.
• Responds to inquiries from students, parents, and/or staff for the purpose of providing the necessary information regarding transportation services.

Other Functions

Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements (Minimum Qualifications)

Knowledge is required to perform basic math; understand written procedures, write routine documents, and speak clearly; and solve practical problems. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: safety practices and procedures.

Skills are required to perform single tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adhering to safety practices; preparing and maintaining accurate records; and operating equipment used in transporting special needs students.

Ability is required to schedule activities and/or meetings; gather and/or collate data; and use job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing specific, defined processes; ability is also required to work with a wide diversity of individuals; work with similar types of data; and utilize a variety of job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to analyze issues and recommend solutions. Problem solving with data requires following prescribed guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is moderate. Specific Ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: developing and maintaining positive relationships; setting high expectations for self and others; setting and monitoring progress toward goals; utilizing and offering effective feedback to continuously improve; collaborating and communicating effectively with internal and external stakeholders; applying critical thinking/problem solving to improve work processes; communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; and working as part of a team.

Employee Punctuality and Appearance

• In order for schools to operate effectively, employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated work day, unless the employee has received approved leave.
• Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employee’s supervisor or building administrator.
• All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of Springfield School District and is appropriate for their position.

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision following standardized practices and/or methods; providing information and/or advising others. There is a continual opportunity to impact the education of students and organization’s services.

Terms of Employment

The terms of employment will be governed by applicable state laws regulating employment in a Missouri public school and Board of Education policy, as those laws and policies may change from time to time.  If your position is represented by Collective Bargaining

representative, then your employment will also be governed by a negotiated agreement

between SPS and that Collective Bargaining representative.

Experience

Job related experience, desired

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent experience, required

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

The usual and customary methods of performing the jobs functions require the following physical demands: significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 60% sitting, 30% walking and 10% standing. The job is performed under some temperature extremes and under conditions with some exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.

Miscellaneous Requirements

Certificates and Licenses

• Bus Driver’s Certificate, required
• Commercial Driver’s License with passenger, school bus and air breaks endorsements, required

Clearances

Background clearance, the results of which must be satisfactory to the District, required Ability to pass physical, required

Ability to pass mandatory random drug testing, required

To be in compliance with The Department of Transportation's (DOT) rule, 49 CFR Part 40, which describes required procedures for conducting workplace drug and alcohol testing for the Federally regulated transportation industry (https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/part40), applicants are encouraged to access the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration- Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse (operational beginning on January 6, 2020) and register. Learn more about Clearinghouse registration.

For applicants who are selected for an interview, please complete the  Release of Information Form for each current and previous employer in which you held a position that required a CDL.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS