Job Description:
Antelope Union High School District #50
Bus Driver Job Description
1) Position Title
a) Bus Driver
2) Department
a) Operations
3) Purpose
a) The School Bus Driver is responsible for the safe, timely, and professional transportation of students to and from school, extracurricular activities, field trips, and other district-sponsored events. The School Bus Driver plays a critical role in supporting student access to education by maintaining a safe transportation environment, enforcing student conduct expectations, adhering to all federal, state, and district transportation regulations, and conducting required vehicle inspections and documentation. The School Bus Driver serves as a representative of the district and is expected to demonstrate professionalism, sound judgment, exceptional safety awareness, and positive interactions with students, staff, parents, and community members while ensuring the well-being of all passengers entrusted to their care.
4) Essential Functions
a) Student Transportation and Route Management
i) Safely transport students to and from school, extracurricular activities, field trips, athletic events, and other district-sponsored activities in accordance with all applicable federal, state, local, and district regulations.
ii) Operate district vehicles in a safe, defensive, and professional manner while maintaining compliance with all traffic laws, commercial driving regulations, district transportation policies, and established safety procedures.
iii) Navigate assigned routes, adhere to established schedules, and safely pick up and drop off students at designated stops while maintaining route efficiency and student accountability.
iv) Verify student identity as required by district procedures and ensure students board and exit only at approved locations. No student transportation deviations shall be permitted without prior office approval and proper documentation.
v) Maintain accurate daily rider logs and student transportation records as required by district procedures.
vi) Communicate route delays, road closures, schedule changes, transportation concerns, and emergency information to appropriate district personnel using approved communication systems.
vii) Perform regular school routes, activity trips, athletic trips, field trips, summer school transportation, special event transportation, substitute routes, and other assigned transportation services.
b) Student Supervision and Customer Service
i) Ensure the safety and welfare of all passengers by maintaining awareness of student behavior, road conditions, weather conditions, and potential hazards throughout transportation operations.
ii) Supervise students while they are on district transportation vehicles and enforce district transportation rules, student conduct expectations, and safety procedures to maintain an orderly environment.
iii) Serve as a positive representative of the district and maintain professional interactions with students, parents, staff, volunteers, recruiters, visitors, and community members.
iv) Assist students entering and exiting district vehicles as needed, including students requiring additional assistance due to age, injury, illness, disability, or other special circumstances.
v) Provide excellent customer service while maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, and positive public relations for the district.
vi) Document and report student misconduct, safety concerns, and disciplinary incidents in accordance with district procedures.
c) Special Needs Transportation
i) Operate wheelchair lifts, secure wheelchairs and mobility devices, utilize specialized safety equipment, and provide transportation accommodations in accordance with student transportation plans, IEPs, Section 504 Plans, and applicable laws.
ii) Assist students with disabilities and special transportation needs while ensuring dignity, safety, confidentiality, and compliance with district procedures.
d) Vehicle Safety and Maintenance
i) Conduct and document required pre-trip, en-route, and post-trip vehicle inspections, including inspections of brakes, tires, lights, mirrors, emergency exits, wheelchair lifts, safety equipment, fluid levels, and other critical vehicle systems.
ii) Complete all required pre-trip inspection logs, post-trip inspection logs, safety reports, and vehicle documentation in a timely and accurate manner.
iii) Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of assigned vehicles and ensure buses remain safe, presentable, and free of hazards, excessive debris, vandalism, or unauthorized items.
iv) Immediately report vehicle defects, maintenance concerns, accidents, injuries, safety hazards, and transportation-related incidents to appropriate supervisors.
v) Ensure that no student is left unattended on a district vehicle by conducting required post-route inspections and student checks after every route and trip.
vi) Fuel assigned vehicles and monitor fuel levels to ensure transportation readiness.
e) Safety, Emergency Preparedness, and Compliance
i) Follow established emergency procedures and respond appropriately to accidents, medical emergencies, student behavioral incidents, vehicle breakdowns, hazardous weather conditions, and other emergency situations.
ii) Conduct required bus evacuation drills and participate in district safety training, emergency preparedness activities, and transportation department meetings.
iii) Demonstrate the physical ability to safely perform transportation duties, including emergency evacuations, student assistance, wheelchair securement, safety inspections, and other transportation-related tasks.
iv) Successfully complete and maintain all required licenses, endorsements, certifications, physical examinations, background clearances, random drug and alcohol testing requirements, annual compliance requirements, and other qualifications necessary to operate district transportation vehicles.
v) Maintain compliance with all federal, state, district, Department of Transportation (DOT), Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), and Arizona Department of Education (ADE) transportation requirements.
f) Records, Reporting, and Communication
i) Maintain accurate records and documentation, including daily rider logs, route logs, mileage reports, student conduct reports, inspection reports, accident reports, evacuation drill records, and other required transportation documentation.
ii) Complete and submit all required district, state, federal, transportation, maintenance, safety, and compliance forms in a timely and accurate manner.
iii) Maintain strict confidentiality regarding students, families, staff members, transportation records, and district operations in accordance with FERPA and district policies.
iv) Attend required trainings, professional development activities, certification renewals, transportation meetings, and compliance-related activities.
v) Communicate effectively with students, parents, staff, transportation personnel, and district administration regarding transportation-related matters.
vi) Utilize district radios, cellular devices, GPS systems, routing software, and other transportation communication technologies as assigned.
g) Professional Responsibilities
i) Demonstrate professionalism, punctuality, reliability, sound judgment, positive customer service, and effective communication when interacting with students, parents, staff, and community members.
ii) Support district goals, transportation department objectives, and school operations through effective teamwork and collaboration.
iii) Maintain a satisfactory driving record and comply with all district expectations regarding attendance, conduct, safety, and professionalism.
iv) Perform other duties as assigned by the Transportation Supervisor, Principal, or Superintendent.
5) Qualifications and Preferences
a) Required Qualifications
i) High school diploma or equivalent
ii) Maintain required credentials, including ADE Educator ID and AZDPS Level One IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.
iii) Current CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications or willingness to obtain certification.
iv) Possess and maintain a valid Arizona Commercial Driver License (CDL) with Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements, or the ability to obtain required endorsements within a district-approved timeframe, potentially at district expense.
v) Possess and maintain a valid Arizona School Bus Driver Certificate issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), or the ability to obtain certification prior to transporting students.
vi) Possess and maintain a valid Department of Transportation (DOT) Medical Examiner’s Certificate.
vii) Meet all federal, state, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Arizona Department of Transportation, Arizona Department of Education, and district requirements for school bus drivers.
viii) Successfully pass required background investigations, fingerprint clearance requirements, driving record reviews, and pre-employment screenings.
ix) Successfully pass all required pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty, and annual drug and alcohol testing requirements in accordance with federal and district regulations.
x) Must pass physical examination and annual drug screening as prescribed by AAC R17-9-102.
xi) Demonstrated ability to safely operate large vehicles and maintain situational awareness in varying traffic, road, and weather conditions.
xii) Demonstrated ability to maintain student discipline and effectively supervise students in a transportation setting.
xiii) Ability to communicate effectively with students, parents, staff, and community members.
xiv) Ability to read, understand, and follow written and verbal instructions, transportation regulations, route information, and safety procedures.
xv) Ability to maintain accurate records, reports, and transportation documentation.
xvi) Ability to exercise sound judgment, professionalism, confidentiality, and discretion.
xvii) Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining a high level of responsibility for student safety.
xviii) Ability to perform the physical requirements of the position, including conducting vehicle inspections, assisting students, operating wheelchair lifts, securing mobility devices, and performing emergency evacuation procedures.
b) Selective Preferences
i) Previous experience operating a school bus, commercial vehicle, public transportation vehicle, or other large passenger vehicle.
ii) Previous experience working with children, adolescents, or school-aged students.
iii) Experience transporting students with disabilities and implementing specialized transportation accommodations.
iv) Knowledge of Arizona school transportation regulations and school bus safety requirements.
v) Experience conducting vehicle inspections, maintaining transportation records, and utilizing transportation communication systems.
vi) Current CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications or willingness to obtain certification.
vii) Bilingual abilities, particularly English and Spanish.
viii) Strong customer service, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
ix) Demonstrated history of reliability, punctuality, professionalism, and safe driving practices.
6) Work Environment, Location, and Physical Requirements
a) Work Environment
i) Work is performed primarily in school buses, district vehicles, school facilities, transportation yards, parking lots, roadways, and various off-site locations associated with district transportation operations.
ii) The employee regularly works in outdoor environments and is routinely exposed to varying weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, wind, rain, dust, and other environmental conditions common to Arizona and rural transportation routes.
iii) The employee may be exposed to vehicle exhaust, fumes, noise, vibrations, traffic hazards, mechanical equipment, cleaning products, and other transportation-related environmental conditions.
iv) Frequent interaction with students, families, staff members, volunteers, visitors, and community members is required as part of daily transportation operations.
v) Regular interaction with students, parents, coaches, administrators, officials, law enforcement personnel, emergency responders, and community partners is expected, with strict adherence to FERPA confidentiality requirements, Governing Board policies, and all applicable confidentiality standards.
vi) The position requires frequent operation of school buses and other district vehicles on public roadways, rural roads, highways, parking lots, and school campuses.
vii) Requires mobility to enter and exit district vehicles, move throughout school campuses and transportation areas, respond to emergencies, conduct vehicle inspections, assist students, and perform emergency evacuations when necessary.
viii) The employee may be required to lift, carry, push, pull, bend, kneel, climb, reach, and secure mobility devices, wheelchairs, safety equipment, and other transportation-related materials as part of daily job responsibilities.
ix) This position may require evening and weekend availability and may include early mornings, athletic events, extracurricular activities, field trips, overnight travel, summer schedules, and other special assignments.
x) The employee may encounter stressful situations involving student behavior, traffic conditions, weather-related challenges, emergencies, accidents, medical incidents, vehicle breakdowns, and schedule changes that require sound judgment, professionalism, and timely decision-making.
xi) The employee is expected to maintain a professional appearance, demeanor, and conduct while representing the district in all transportation-related activities.
xii) The work environment may include frequent interruptions, changing priorities, and situations requiring flexibility, adaptability, and independent decision-making.
xiii) The employee is required to comply with all district safety procedures, transportation regulations, drug and alcohol testing requirements, and applicable federal, state, and local laws governing student transportation operations.
xiv) The employee may be required to travel throughout the district's approximately 3,200 square mile service area.
b) Work Location
i) Position requires in-person attendance five days per week
c) Physical Requirements
i) Lift, carry, push, and pull up to 25 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally, with or without reasonable accommodation.
ii) Use hands, arms, feet, and legs to safely operate a school bus and related equipment, including steering, braking, shifting, door controls, wheelchair lifts, safety restraints, and emergency equipment.
iii) Sit for extended periods while operating a school bus and remain alert and attentive throughout assigned routes and transportation assignments.
iv) Stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb, reach, twist, and enter or exit a school bus multiple times throughout the workday.
v) Perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections, including inspecting tires, lights, mirrors, fluid levels, safety equipment, wheelchair lifts, emergency exits, and other vehicle components.
vi) Possess sufficient visual acuity to safely operate a school bus, observe traffic conditions, monitor student behavior, read traffic signs and route information, and identify potential safety hazards.
vii) Possess sufficient hearing ability to monitor vehicle operation, hear emergency signals, communicate with students and staff, and utilize radios and other communication equipment.
viii) Communicate clearly and effectively in person and through radios, telephones, and other communication devices, including during emergency situations.
ix) Assist students entering and exiting district vehicles and provide physical assistance to students with disabilities or special transportation needs when required.
x) Safely operate wheelchair lifts, secure wheelchairs and mobility devices, and assist with student evacuations during emergency situations.
xi) Perform emergency evacuation procedures and respond effectively during accidents, vehicle breakdowns, medical emergencies, and other transportation-related incidents.
xii) Tolerate exposure to varying weather conditions, vehicle vibrations, traffic conditions, dust, noise, and outdoor environments commonly associated with student transportation operations.
xiii) Maintain the physical capability to safely perform all duties required by federal, state, district, and Department of Transportation regulations governing school bus drivers.
xiv) Regular work interruptions, frequent student interaction, moderate to high noise levels, changing traffic conditions, and unexpected situations should be anticipated as part of the normal work environment.
7) Compensation
a) Pay Type
i) Hourly
b) Pay Frequency
i) Bi-Weekly (Every Two Weeks)
c) Pay Amount
i) The compensation for this position will be determined by the Superintendent based on experience and subject to Governing Board approval.
d) FLSA Status
i) Non-Exempt
e) Benefits Eligible
i) Benefits eligibility shall be determined in accordance with district policy and applicable federal and state law.
8) Terms of Employment
a) 10 months. Part-Time.
9) Supervision
a) This position is supervised by the Principal, Transportation Coordinator, or designee.
10) Evaluation
a) Performance of this job will be evaluated annually by the Principal in accordance with the provisions of Governing Board policy in the evaluation of personnel.
11) Universal Expectations
a) All employees of Antelope Union High School District #50 are expected to be true public servants and go above and beyond the call of service by putting students first, assisting with additional needs and duties as assigned, maintaining a positive attitude, being professional at all times, and supporting the initiatives of the board and the administration.
12) Universal Disclaimers
a) The Antelope Union High School District #50 provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
b) This job description is intended to accurately reflect the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the position. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. Administrators and Supervisors reserve the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary.