Bus Driver / Maintainer (Full Year)

Facilities Department, Amherst-Pelham Regional School District 
Amherst, Massachusetts

 

Job Summary
The Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional Public School Districts are seeking highly qualified candidates for a full-time, permanent Bus Driver / Maintainer year-round position. It is a full-time, year-round position, working forty hours per week between the hours of 7:00 am and 3:30 pm, with frequent overtime. This is a benefitted position with health care, retirement, sick and vacation time, paid holidays, etc.

This position reports to the Transportation Coordinator. The work includes driving pupil vans and school buses, and other vehicles, including pick-up trucks, automobiles, and other vans. The Bus Driver/Maintainer is responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle at all times, safe delivery of all students to their authorized stops, and notifying their supervisor of any problems with their vehicle. The Bus Driver/Maintainer also performs other labor and maintenance work as needed when not driving students. The position is subject to pre-employment and random drug and alcohol screening.

 

Essential Job Functions and Skills include but are not limited to the following:

 

Essential Functions

 

· Obeys all traffic laws.
· Observe all mandatory safety regulations for school vehicles.
· Transports only authorized students and staff.
· Maintains discipline when students are in the vehicle.
· Discharges students only at authorized stops.
· Reports undisciplined students to the proper authority.
· Keeps to assigned schedule.
· Notifies the proper authority in the case of mechanical failure or lateness.
· Keeps assigned vehicle clean.
· Checks vehicle before each operation for mechanical defects.
· Keeps daily vehicle inspection forms.
· Exercises responsible leadership when on out-of-district school trips.
· Enforces regulations on assigned vehicles.
· Reports all accidents and completes required reports.
· Responsible for checking and adding fluids, fuel, and air. 
· Performs other related assignments as needed by management
· Works in maintenance when not driving and does all assigned duties, such as assisting with grounds, carpentry, painting, moving, repair, and other trades as required by the facilities director or designee.

Other Functions
Other duties as assigned by leadership.

 

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

· Valid Massachusetts driver’s license.
· Current Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Passenger (P), School Bus (S), and Air Brakes Endorsements.
· Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) School Bus Driver Certificate.
· Meets minimum commercial driver’s license medical standards.
· Good driving record and knowledge of roads and surrounding towns.
· Skill and knowledge to operate vehicles over a variety of roads for extended periods under varying climatic conditions
· Acceptable CORI (Criminal Back Ground Check)
· Acceptable National Criminal Back Ground Check (commonly referred to as a finger print check).
· Effective written and oral communication skills.
· Knowledge and skills to make a significant contribution to the child transportation team through observation, communication skills, intervention skills, procedural expertise, and documentation regarding safe transportation.
· Knowledge and skills to work with special needs students.
· Must have professional references.

 

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
· Under the laws of MA, the ARPS have the final responsibility for establishing educational policies for ARPS and may require additional professional development as a condition of employment.

· Trade skills desirable
· Knowledge of and experience with equipment and materials used in facilities maintenance trades
· Direct experience with building and grounds maintenance

Work Schedule

Full-time year-round Driver will work forty hours per week between the hours of 7:00 am and 3:30 pm.

 

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

 

Work environment is typical of an office setting while not driving the bus. May be exposed to outside elements while transporting.  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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

 

Physical Demands: Work requires physical strength and involves constant movement, including walking, standing, climbing in and out of a vehicle, and stooping. Driver must be able to assist handicapped students on and off the bus. 

 

Motor Skills: Work requires motor skills such as operating a bus, tying down the wheelchair, utilizing the mechanical options in the bus, and answering the telephone. 

 

Visual Demands: The employee is required to read documents, signs, emails and or instructions for general understanding and safe operation of the bus. 

 

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. 

 

Salary Information
AFSCME Bargaining Unit and Custodian/Maintenance Grade E scale. 

 

Special Instructions to Applicants
INTERNAL APPLICANTS: The applicant should be aware that if she/he is successful and is moving into another district, this transfer will result in the loss of professional teacher status and seniority for purposes of the Reduction in Staff provision of the collective bargaining agreement.

Candidates may provide a brief description of any experience that will prove helpful in the work they are applying for. Give any additional information that will afford a clearer interpretation of your qualifications, which may include any verifiable work performed on a voluntary basis.

Please provide written responses to the two (2) questions noted below:

1. Our district is committed to "Becoming a Multicultural School System." We work to provide all students with an education that enables them to be contributing members of a multiethnic, multicultural society. We strive to ensure that our community of students, families, and staff is learning, treated equitably and shares the job of creating a caring environment. Please describe any personal background, training, work, or other experience that you feel would help us achieve this goal.                                
2. Our schools are committed to academic excellence for every student every day! We strive to attain high levels of student achievement for all of our students, and we work to ensure academic engagement and a sense of belonging for all students. Describe how you will fulfill this obligation to attain high levels of achievement and, specifically, how you will plan for and foster the academic engagement and a sense of belonging of every student, all students, every day.

 

Statement of Non-Discrimination

“The School Committees’ policy of nondiscrimination extends to students, staff, and the general public with whom it does business. The Amherst-Pelham Regional District, the Amherst Public Schools, and the Pelham Elementary School do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, economic status, homelessness, political party, or disability in admission to, access to, employment in, or treatment by its programs and activities.” for which you are applying.