Chehalis-Transportation/Coverage Bus Driver

The position of Transportation/Coverage Bus Driver is responsible for driving open route(s) for any day/shift to cover staff absences and will not be assigned to a single designated run. Additional knowledge, skills and abilities are necessary for working in a flexible capacity and having strong student management skills. This position is 5 hours/day, 5 days/wk, 191 days/yr. 

In-district applicants, who are current members of the PSE bargaining group, should apply by 3 p.m., January 5, 2024, and will receive first consideration.
Rate of pay based on experience and PSE Salary Schedule.

The job of Transportation/Coverage Bus Driver is to transport students over scheduled routes and/or special trips in accordance with state laws and district policy; enforcing rules, regulations, and laws to maintain safety during transport; ensuring the vehicle is in safe operating condition and ensuring safety of students during transport, loading and unloading from buses, so that students may enjoy the fullest possible advantage from the district's curriculum and extra-curricular program.

Job Responsibilities:

• Drive bus on scheduled/pre-designated routes (for coverage purposes, route assignments will change frequently) and for extra school-related activities; maintain control of passengers en-route; report unsafe passenger activities
• Inspect, service and clean school bus and related equipment; make minor repairs; report mechanical or other equipment problems
• Complete records and reports required by state and local school district policy and procedures.
• Attend required training courses
• Administer first aid if/when necessary
• Observe safety/traffic laws; enforce state and local district bus operation regulations
• Install and remove tire chains
• Perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation
• Complete work at assigned workstations
• Consistently deal with people in a courteous and professional manner
• Obeys all traffic laws
• Observes all mandatory safety regulations for school busses
• Maintains discipline when students are on bus
• Reports undisciplined students to the proper authority
• Keeps assigned bus clean
• Keeps to assigned schedule
• Checks bus before each operation for mechanical defects, ensuring the vehicle is in safe operating condition
• Notifies the proper authority in case of mechanical failure or lateness
• Discharges students only at authorized stops
• Exercises responsible leadership when on out of district school trips
• Transports only authorized students
• Completes records and reports required by state and local school district policy and procedures
• Perform other duties as assigned

Job Requirements:

• Must be a minimum of twenty-one years of age
• Possess a valid Washington State Driver's License with passenger and school bus endorsements void of any air brake restriction 
• Possess a valid Washington State Commercial School Bus Drivers Certificate
• Must maintain a valid CPR/First Aid card
• Ability to pass a physical examination, requirements of such provided by the State of Washington
• Criminal Justice fingerprint clearance (cost paid by employee), and drug testing clearance
• Demonstrated aptitude or competence for assigned responsibilities
• Good driving records
• Good moral character
• Reliability, dependability, initiative and honesty
• Evidence of previous successful job performance
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the board may find appropriate and acceptable

Licenses, Certifications, Bonding, Testing and/or Training Required:
Commercial Driver's License, passenger and school bus endorsements, void of an airbrake restriction; completion of Special Education training ; First Aid/CPR certification; and DOT physical (some may be provided per the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement).

Compensation and Benefits:
Employee Compensation and Benefits are outlined in the PSE Transportation Bargaining Agreement. See Article VIII Conditions of Work, Article IX Holidays, Article X Leaves, Article XIII Insurance and Retirement, XVI Transfer of Previous Experience, Article XVII Hourly Wage and Employee Compensation, Schedule A.

The District complies with State Law regarding SEBB (School Employee Benefits Board) and DRS (Washington State Department of Retirement Systems) eligibility and benefits. If eligible, SEBB benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability, AD&D Insurance, Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSA), and Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP). Retirement benefits, if eligible, may include membership in SERS retirement plans in addition to voluntary Deferred Compensation Program and 403(b) Annuity enrollments. Paid holidays and paid time off are also employee benefits outlined in the PSE Transportation Bargaining Agreement.