Student Transportation: Driver

STUDENT TRANSPORTATION: DRIVER
 

Definition:

Operates a van or light passenger vehicle to transport students to and from school, special events,  and field trips over designated routes, ensuring the safety, conduct, and well-being of passengers,  and performing pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections and other safety checks. Ensures 
compliance with Department of Transportation (DOT) and Redwood Empire Schools Insurance group (RESIG) Post-Offer Pre-Placement (POPP) physical requirements, including physical demands and 
emergency procedures.

Distinguishing Characteristics:
Employees in this class receive general direction within a framework of standard policies and procedures related to student transportation, traffic laws, and safety regulations. The job requires specialized knowledge of traffic laws, road safety, vehicle operation, and effective methods of student management and communication. Contacts with others include students, parents/guardians, school staff, program administrators, and vehicle maintenance personnel.

Supervision Exercised and Received:
General direction is provided by the program Administrator and/or Director. No direct supervision is exercised over other employees.
 

Example of Duties and Responsibilities:
Duties and Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
●  Operates a van or light passenger vehicle daily over designated routes on a fixed or varied schedule, ensuring adherence to time schedules, traffic laws, and safety regulations.
●  Transports students safely and efficiently to and from school sites, field trips, and other designated locations for school-related activities.
●  Maintains student discipline on the vehicle, reinforcing acceptable behavior, and reporting serious behavioral issues to the appropriate administrator or supervisor.
●  Performs pre-trip and post-trip safety inspections of the assigned vehicle, checking fluid levels, tires, lights, safety equipment, and ensuring operational readiness.
●  Reports any mechanical defects, needed repairs, or maintenance concerns to the supervisor or vehicle maintenance staff promptly.
●  Assists students, including those with special needs or mobility limitations, in safely boarding and exiting the vehicle and securing safety restraints/equipment (e.g., car seats, wheelchairs).
●  Completes required documentation, including daily logs, mileage, vehicle inspections, and student behavior forms.
●  Communicates effectively with parents, staff, and administrators regarding student pick-up/drop-off times, delays, or emergency situations.
●  Participates in safety meetings, in-service training sessions, and required professional 
development to maintain current knowledge of transportation laws, defensive driving, and emergency procedures.
●  Operates vehicles for field trips and special events as assigned.
●  Performs other duties as assigned.
 

Employment Standards:
 

Knowledge of:
●  State and local traffic laws, regulations, and safe driving practices.
●  Proper procedures for loading, unloading, and securing students, including those with physical limitations.
●  First aid, CPR, and emergency procedures related to student transportation.
●  Behavior interventions and student management principles applicable to a vehicle environment.
●  Safe and defensive driving techniques, including DOT and RESIG POPP requirements.

Ability to:
●  Operate a van or light passenger vehicle safely under varied weather, traffic, and road conditions.
●  Organize, prioritize, and deliver services on a time-sensitive schedule.
●  Express ideas and concepts clearly and concisely in oral and written form.
●  Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, parents, and staff.
●  Follow oral and written directions and maintain accurate records.
●  Meet physical demands of the position, including assisting students and performing pre-trip/post-trip inspections.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would provide the knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:
●  One (1) year of experience operating a motor vehicle, preferably in a public service or group transport capacity.
●  Experience working with children or high-risk youth is desirable.

Required Licenses and/or Certifications:
●  A valid California Driver's License appropriate for the vehicle being driven, and maintain a clean driving record.
● Proof of automobile insurance.
●  Must meet state minimum physical requirements for bus/van drivers (if applicable to the vehicle size/type).
●  A current First Aid and CPR Certificate, or the ability to obtain one within the first six (6) months of employment.
●  Completion of initial and ongoing training in safe driving practices, emergency evacuation procedures, and RESIG POPP requirements.
 

Physical Abilities:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Note -Terms used in this section are defined as follows: Rarely: 1 to 10%; Occasionally: 11 to 33%; Frequently: 34 to 66%; and Continuously: 67 to 100% of the workday. 
•  Sitting:                  Continuously
•  Standing/Walking:           Frequently
•  Waist Bending:             Occasionally to Frequently
•  Neck Bending:             Occasionally to Frequently
•  Squatting:                Frequently
•  Climbing:                Rarely
•  Kneeling:                Frequently
•  Crawling:                Rarely
•  Neck Twisting:             Occasionally to Frequently
•  Waist Twisting:             Occasionally
•  Pushing/Pulling:             Frequently to Continuously – up to 100 to 150 lbs. at a time (such 
as pushing wheelchairs)
•  Running:                Occasionally
•  Reaching:
       o Above Shoulder:        Occasionally
       o Below Shoulder:        Frequently
•  Lifting/Carrying:
       o 0-10 lbs:             Frequently - weights carried 50 to 100 feet at a time
       o 11-25 lbs:            Occasionally- weights carried up to 100 feet at a time
       o 26-50 lbs:            Occasionally - weights carried 10 to 100 feet at a time
       o 51-75 lbs:            Rarely - with assistance
       o 76-150 lbs:           Rarely - with assistance
•  Hand Activities:
       o Repetitive Hand Use:      Occasionally
       o Simple Grasping:        Frequently
       o Power Grasping:        Occasionally
       o Fine Manipulation:       Rarely
       o Hand and Arm
Twisting/Turning:       Occasionally to Frequently
       o Computer Operation/Writing:  Rarely
●  Ordinary ambulatory ability to retrieve work materials; intermittent walking, standing, stooping, and carrying and lifting of light weight materials (under 20 pounds).
●  Requires visual acuity sufficient to recognize people, words, and numbers.
Hand-eye-arm and finger dexterity to operate vehicle controls and complete documentation.
●  Speaking and hearing ability sufficient to hear over phone and carry on routine and complex conversations.
●  Sufficient physical condition to sit for extended periods while driving and to frequently enter and exit the vehicle.
●  Ability to reach, push, pull, lift, and carry students or items up to 50 pounds and in excess of 50 pounds with assistance, especially when securing equipment or assisting students with mobility devices.
●  Frequent use of hands and fingers for vehicle controls and securing students/equipment.
●  Meet sometimes, strenuous physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform assigned duties, including lifting 50 pounds on a regular basis and periodically lifting in excess of 50 pounds with assistance. For Preschool positions, this may include moving preschool equipment such as cots, tables, chairs; lifting infants and young children; perform twisting, bending, pushing, pulling, lifting, stooping, reaching motions during interaction with students and their children.
●  May be required to accompany students on field trips, which may require maneuvering into awkward positions or in narrow bus aisles.
●  Must be able to lift and physically restrain students at times; to take appropriate action in emergency situations; and follow procedures in a calm, responsible manner.
●  Must be able to communicate and exchange information, effectively, discreetly, and accurately in a high activity environment with staff, students, parents and individuals who may have limited expressive and receptive conversational capacities.
●  Must be able to detect visual and non-visual warning signs of developing physical and emotional situations that may require attention from certificated staff.
●  Must be able to express self effectively, verbally and non-verbally in classroom with staff, student and parents.
●  Must be able to discern visual and non-visual signs of physical and non-physical issues that may negatively affect the learning environment.
●  Must be able to monitor students and staff visually and non-visually to effectively assist in the management of an orderly and safe learning environment.
● Must have normal vision (20/20), corrected or uncorrected.
 

Work environment:
●  Driving in varying weather conditions (e.g., rain, fog, heat).
●  Frequent exposure to vehicle noise, vibration, and road hazards.
● Exposure to student illnesses, injuries, and bodily fluids.
●  May be exposed to fumes, gasoline, and cleaning products.
 

Other Requirements:
●  Complete a medical examination within the past two years.
●  Must be fingerprinted and have satisfactory Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation record checks prior to employment.
●  TB testing required upon employment.
●  Must pass a pre-employment physical (if applicable).
●  Visual acuity sufficient to read manuals, video display screens, and other related material.
●  May be required to obtain first aid and CPR certificates within the first 6–12 months of employment.
●  May be required to drive with or without students; some positions may require participation in the DMV Pull Notice Program.
●  Compliance with RESIG POPP and DOT physical requirements for safety-sensitive positions.