SPECIALTY TRIP DRIVER

DEFINITION
Under the supervision of the Transportation Director and/or designee, operate a bus to transport passengers on activity trips safely and efficiently. In addition, provides services to other agencies as necessary for special activities. Drivers will also transport passengers to and from school as deemed necessary, follow designated routes per time schedules, ensure the bus is in safe operating condition, and perform a variety of duties relative to the assigned area of responsibility.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Due to the nature of the work, employees in this class receive minimal supervision and are expected to follow established rules and guidelines. However, incumbents report to the supervisor who is readily available via two-way radio or cellular phone and can provide direction on more serious situations that may arise, such as traffic accidents/injuries. Success in this class is based on the incumbent's ability to: drive a large vehicle safely concentrating on road conditions while maintaining good order among passengers on the bus; following written and oral instructions, and performing required duties in accordance with strict time schedules.Drives a school bus daily over designated activity trips/routes in accordance with time schedules, picking up and discharging passengers.

• Transports passengers on activity trips to various locations, while observing departure and arrival times as scheduled;
• Assists in inventory of safety vests, straps, and wheelchair tie-downs, clean safety vests, straps, and wheelchair tie-downs; assist in vehicle inventory and assessment of damages;
• Inspects bus prior to operation for safety purposes as required (Calif. Code Regulations 13 § 1215 Vehicle Condition), and additional components in accordance with District standards;
• Monitors camera systems to ensure they are functioning properly;
• Maintains proper fuel and fluid levels; cleans exterior and interior of buses, including windshields, windows, headlights, wheels, picking up debris, sweeping and mopping the floor, wiping and cleaning upholstery, and bodily fluids;
• Operates a lift ramp and assists special education students to load and unload bus;
• Follows specific transportation requirements in student IEPs.
• Secures passengers in car seats; five-point restraint system, safety vest special equipment, and wheelchairs as appropriate;
• Ensures that required safety devices are secure and properly used (e.g. seat belts, car seats, five-point safety system, safety vest, wheelchair seat belt, and anchor tie-downs);
• Manages and maintains appropriate behavior among passengers during travel and while bus is parked at designated bus stops; follows District policies regarding passenger control, and contact with parents and the public;
• Administers routine first aid or emergency assistance to passengers; files accident reports;
• Reports mechanical problems or equipment malfunctions, and all incidents affecting the safety of passengers;
• Maintains records of all activity trips; prepares and completes accurate records as required by State and District laws, regulations, and policies;
• Retains student release forms, and verifies passengers are released only to a parent or someone designated by the parent or school;
• Escorts students across streets, stopping traffic when necessary, as warranted by traffic, road, and weather conditions  (California Vehicle Code § 22112);
• Checks buses at the culmination of each assigned activity trip to ensure no passengers or property are left behind;
• Oversees evacuations of passengers during emergency situations;
• Utilizes two-way radio systems or other devices (i.e. cell phone) to communicate with dispatch staff during field trips or emergencies, only when the bus is stopped at a safe location and secured;
• Keeps current and maintains all driver's licenses, special driver certificates, DOT Medical Exams, and First Aid credentials as required to drive in the State of California;
• Attends scheduled safety meetings and safety programs, necessary in-services, classroom, and behind-the-wheel training;
• Backfills for daily student bus routes as needed;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted during the course of work;
• Performs other duties as required to accomplish the objectives of the position.

(Click here for the complete job description)Education: Graduation from high school or evidence of equivalent educational proficiency. Successful completion of a minimum of 20 hours of classroom instruction related to skills and safety requirements for driving a school bus; and successful completion of a minimum of 20 hours of instruction behind the wheel of a school bus required.

Experience and Training: One year of experience in driving a large transit school bus.

License and Certification:

• Valid Class A or B, California Commercial Driver License with Passenger, School Bus, and Air Brake Endorsements
• Possession of a current Medical Examination Report (MEC Form, MCSA-5875}.
• California Special Driver Certificate designated for School Bus (with no restrictions for Air Brakes and/or Conventional Type-II buses only} issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Valid First Aid certificate comparable to the American Red Cross Standard First Aid certificate, or approved by California Emergency Medical Service Authority (EMSA) School Bus Training program providers. 
• Ability to be insured, and continue to be insurable, by the District's liability insurance carrier.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This classification has been designated as safety-sensitive in accordance with the drug and alcohol testing requirements adopted by the District under Board Policy 4212.42.
 
All licenses and certificates listed above must remain current and maintained during the course of employment unless otherwise noted.Application Filing
Applications for this position will be accepted online only during the specified recruitment period. Applicants will receive notifications electronically by email only.  
 

The following documents are REQUIRED attachments to the application: Valid Class A or B, California Commercial Driver License with Passenger, School Bus, and Air Brake Endorsements Medical Examination Report (MEC Form, MCSA-5875) California Special Driver Certificate designated for School Bus, issued by the California DMV K4 Driving Record First Aid Certificate (comparable to American Red Cross or approved by EMSA School Bus Training program providers.

Examination
The most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the examination.  It will consist of a qualifying written examination, an oral technical examination, and skills examination.  Those invited will be required to take the exam and notified via email communication of the scheduled date, time, and location.  A valid picture identification is required prior to admittance.  
 
An eligibility list will be established and used to fill vacancies.  When a promotional and open eligibility list is established, the promotional list will be used first, unless otherwise stated on this bulletin.
 
Work Schedule
Positions in this classification are full-time, eight hours per day, forty hours per week, and 10 months per year.  May work an extended schedule when necessary in accordance with activity trip schedules.

Salary and Benefits
The initial hiring rate for a new employee is typically at the first step of the salary range on the appropriate salary schedule for the position.  The probationary period is 130 work days in paid status.  Upon completing the probationary period for permanent status, a one-step salary advance will be granted with future annual advances up to the maximum step of the salary schedule.    
 
The District provides and contributes to a comprehensive benefits package that is earned in accordance with the District's insurance program that includes medical, dental and vision coverage, life insurance and other protections.  View the benefit plan matrix. 

Holidays and Leaves
There are seventeen (17) paid holidays that fall within the work year, pursuant to the District's Collective Bargaining Agreement with California Schools Employees Association Chapter 296 (CSEA).  
 
Vacation is earned at the prescribed rate as part of compensation, and does not become vested until after completion of the initial probationary period.
 
Individuals employed five (5) days a week for a fiscal year of service shall be granted leave of absence days for illness or injury, exclusive of all days not required to render service to the District.  The amount of sick leave granted shall be accumulated from fiscal year to fiscal year. 

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL ABILITIES
Work is performed in an indoor and outdoor environment with seasonal weather conditions. Ability to safely lift, carry, push, or pull objects weighing up to 60 pounds without assistance; assist passengers with disabilities on and off the bus; lift passenger ambulatory aids, such as wheelchairs, onto platforms.  Sitting for extended periods of time; some standing, stooping, crouching, bending, reaching overhead and horizontally, frequent walks up and down the steps of a bus. Mobility of arms, dexterity of hands, fingers, leg-foot to drive a bus; visual acuity including depth perception with or without correction; hearing sufficient to be aware of traffic and road conditions/distractions, and listening to passengers and perceive information at normal speaking levels.

Incumbents will be required to drive during daytime, late afternoon, and nighttime hours in accordance with trip schedules; may be exposed to driving a school bus during adverse weather and traffic conditions; exposures to dust, allergens, gas, bus exhaust, and odors; traffic and passenger noise; direct contact with passengers, District personnel, the public, and uncooperative individuals.

____________________________
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
In accordance with Federal civil rights law, civil rights regulations and policies, the Palmdale School District, its offices, and employees, are prohibited from discriminating based on age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, immigration status, marital status, nationality, parental status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, political beliefs, or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity.  

For further information regarding Palmdale School District's non-discrimination, sexual harassment and Title IX policies and/or Coordinator contact information, please click the following link: https://www.palmdalesd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=4326699&type=d&pREC_ID=2532815

For further information regarding Palmdale School District’s Personnel Sexual Harassment Board Policy, BP 4119.11, please click the following link: https://4.files.edl.io/c982/03/14/24/221235-151840c2-594e-486f-ad29-e288bcb5b8a8.pdf   

Salary : $26 - $32