About this role
Job Description
Vision Transportation, Inc. is a family-owned company providing transportation to students in the ISD 727 (Big Lake), ISD 728 (Elk River-Otsego-Rogers-Zimmerman) and ISD 885 (St. Michael-Albertville) school districts. Our mission is to support our school district’s education process by providing reliable, caring and safe transportation to students in these communities. We strive to make our students’ transportation to and from school an enhancement of their total learning experience.
Primary Responsibilities
- 1. Drives a regular route, is a regular or spare driver as needed.
- 2. Must read and understand street signs, route sheets and maps.
- 3. Learn route completely and update routers on any changes.
- 4. Complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections, including child checks.
- 5. Assists students in the loading and unloading process; maintains proficiency in the safe operation of the hydraulic wheelchair lift apparatus and securing the wheelchairs as applicable.
- 6. Cooperates and communicates with school personnel, parents and students.
- 7. Conducts emergency evacuation from the bus, if necessary.
- 8. Opens and closes service doors and moves up and down steps multiple times daily.
- 9. Cleans the insides of the bus including sweeping, dusting and cleaning windows. Cleans outside windows of the bus.
- 10. Secures all car seats and booster seats when in use and when not in use. Secures booster or car seats under cargo net when not in use if necessary.
- 11. Check the vehicle for students and lost items after each route.
- 12. Performs all other duties as assigned.
In addition to primary responsibilities, School Bus Drivers are required to do the following:
- 1. Not using cellular devices while students are on board a Vision Transportation/School District vehicle or while the Vehicle is in motion.
- 2. Signing in by departure time for each route, each day (including subs).
- 3. Monitoring all loading and unloading of students, either at bus stop or while at school.
- 4. Assuring the safety of students as they enter, leave or while in transit on the bus.
- 5. Loading and unloading wheelchair students, properly securing the wheelchair and occupant, and assisting students into car seats and booster seats.
- 6. Assisting all students in finding a seat quickly, buckling seatbelts as needed and ensuring all students always remain seated while the vehicle is in motion.
- 7. Attending mandatory transportation meeting in August and all other Safety meeting throughout the school year.
- 8. Meeting emergency situations in accordance with operating procedures i.e., planning for emergencies, conducting evacuation drills (under the direction of the district) and following established emergency procedures.
- 9. Never making statements to/or about students threatening physical or emotional harm or other unreasonable treatment. Never make statements you cannot follow through with.
- 10. Reading the message board and individual mailbox daily for messages from the office.
- 11. Not smoking on School District property, or in Vision Transportation/District-owned vehicles, or within Vision Buildings. Smoking is permitted in designated areas at each Vision location.
Competencies
- Basic knowledge of radio dispatch equipment, excellent communications and customer service skills.
- Ability to work under time constraints and deadlines.
- Previous location operations, dispatch, or driver experience.
- Basic knowledge of computer usage.
Physical Requirements
Pushing/Pulling: Opening service door, emergency door, windows
Lifting: Trash box challenged passengers into their seats, maneuvering wheelchairs and assistive devices, emergency equipment. Up to 50 lbs.
Walking: Crossing a lot, up and down aisle, around exterior of vehicle
Sitting: Up to 2-3 hours while assisting
Climbing: Steps in and out of vehicle
Reaching: Applying tie-downs, safety vests, car seats, opening emergency door from ground
Handling: Doors, knobs, switches, handles
Hearing: Detecting problems with passengers on bus, emergency vehicles
Bending/Stooping/Squatting: Applying tie-downs, checking for sleeping children
Seeing: Reading signs, route sheets
Talking: Communicating with passengers, parents, school officials, dispatch
Dropping: From emergency exit to ground
Requirements
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The duties listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsivities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Vision Transportation is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.
Required Experience
We offer paid training!
Required Skills
- Safe driving and strong situational awareness
- Dependability and punctuality
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Patience and ability to manage student behavior
- Ability to follow safety procedures and maintain a safe environment
Preferred Skills
- Patience when working with children
- Ability to maintain order and appropriate behavior
- Punctuality and dependable attendance
- Consistency in following assigned routes
- Strong sense of responsibility
- Professionalism with parents, students, and school staff
Certificates/Security Clearances/Other
We train to get your CDL with school bus and passenger endorsement.