JOB TITLE: School Bus Driver

GROUP: Classified  

SALARY: Transportation

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt         

WORK DAYS PER FISCAL YEAR: 183 

HOLIDAYS: 10

SUMMARY: The School Bus Driver is responsible for safely transporting Chief Leschi Schools students and other authorized passengers to and from school, bus stops, athletic events, field trips, extracurricular activities, and other approved locations. This position operates a school bus in accordance with federal and Washington State laws, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction requirements, district policies, tribal school expectations, and established transportation procedures.

The School Bus Driver supports student safety, maintains appropriate student conduct while passengers are on the bus, performs required vehicle inspections, communicates with transportation staff and school personnel, and serves as a positive role model for students. This position requires dependable attendance, sound judgment, patience, professionalism, and the ability to work effectively with Native American students, families, staff, and community members.

ABOUT CHIEF LESCHI SCHOOLS: Formerly known as the Puyallup Tribal School, Chief Leschi Schools was founded in 1976 to address the high dropout rate of the youth of the Puyallup tribe. It is the largest of seven tribal schools in the state of Washington and one of approximately 200+ tribal schools in the United States. It is also one of the largest tribal schools to be funded by the Bureau of Indian Education.

Note: $2,000 incentive!Chief Leschi School District is experiencing a bus driver shortage. In order to recruit the highest quality bus drivers, Chief Leschi Schools is offering this incentive for new hire bus driver employees who have not worked for CLS as a bus driver within twelve (12) months prior to their new hire date.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Safely transports students and other authorized passengers to and from school, bus stops, field trips, athletic events, extracurricular activities, and other approved locations.
• Operates school buses in a safe and lawful manner under varying traffic, road, and weather conditions.
• Follows assigned routes, schedules, transportation procedures, and approved route changes.
• Conducts required pre-trip and post-trip inspections and reports vehicle defects, safety concerns, accidents, incidents, or needed repairs.
• Maintains the cleanliness and basic care of assigned bus and ensures required safety equipment is present and functional.
• Supervises students on the bus and maintains safe, respectful, and appropriate student conduct.
• Ensures students load, ride, and unload safely, including following required student crossing procedures.
• Assists students as needed, including students with disabilities or specialized transportation needs, within the scope of training and assignment.
• Operates wheelchair lifts, securement systems, car seats, harnesses, seat belts, and other specialized equipment when assigned and trained.
• Maintains confidentiality of student, family, route, medical, and school-related information.
• Communicates professionally with students, families, staff, administrators, dispatch, emergency responders, and community members.
• Completes required reports, logs, inspection records, incident reports, accident reports, and other documentation accurately and on time.
• Participates in required safety trainings, driver meetings, evacuation drills, and continuing education.
• Maintains required driver authorization, CDL endorsements, medical certification, First Aid/CPR certification, and other required credentials.
• Responds appropriately to emergencies, including accidents, student illness or injury, unsafe road conditions, or mechanical issues.
• Maintains professional boundaries, serves as a positive role model, and demonstrates respect for Native American students, families, cultures, traditions, and community values.
• Supports the mission, vision, and values of Chief Leschi Schools.
• Maintains regular and punctual attendance.

This list is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not an exhaustive list of all duties. Chief Leschi Schools reserves the right to assign or modify duties consistent with operational needs. Workplace accommodations may be provided in accordance with CLS Tribal policy to enable qualified individuals to perform essential functions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED)
• Excellent driving abstract
• Valid and current Washington State Driver’s License with CDL(Class B), P-1 and S endorsements
• Documented experience in school setting
• Ability to obtain First Aid certification in a timely manner

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous school bus driving or student transportation experience.
• Experience working with school-age children.
• Experience working with Native American students, families, and communities.
• Current First Aid/CPR certification.
• Defensive driving training.
• Experience supporting students with disabilities or specialized transportation needs.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Successful criminal background clearance
• Successful and/or clear drug screening

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Safe school bus operation and defensive driving practices.
• Washington State traffic laws and school bus transportation requirements.
• OSPI rules and requirements related to school bus drivers.
• CDL safety requirements and expectations.
• Student loading and unloading procedures.
• Student behavior management and de-escalation strategies.
• Emergency procedures, evacuation procedures, and accident reporting.
• Basic first aid and CPR procedures.
• School board policies and administrative procedures.
• Confidentiality requirements related to students and families.
• Cultural awareness, cultural humility, and respectful service to Native American students and families.
• Proper use of school bus safety equipment and emergency equipment.
• Basic vehicle inspection and reporting procedures.

ABILITY TO:

• Safely operate a school bus in normal and adverse driving conditions.
• Maintain calm and sound judgment during emergencies or stressful situations.
• Supervise students and maintain appropriate bus conduct.
• Communicate clearly, respectfully, and professionally with students, families, staff, supervisors, and community members.
• Follow written and verbal instructions.
• Read and understand route sheets, maps, schedules, safety procedures, labels, and written directions.
• Complete required reports, logs, forms, and documentation accurately.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, families, staff, administrators, and community members.
• Work independently and take initiative within established procedures.
• Work collaboratively with transportation staff and school personnel.
• Demonstrate patience, dependability, flexibility, and professionalism.
• Model respectful behavior and serve as a positive role model for students.
• Work with and relate to Native American children in a culturally responsive and respectful manner.
• Demonstrate understanding of cultural competence, cultural humility, and community-centered service.
• Comply with school policies, transportation procedures, safety rules, and administrative expectations.
• Attend required trainings and maintain required credentials.
• Respond appropriately to accidents, incidents, student illness, student injury, or other emergencies.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP: Transportation Director or designee 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this position. Workplace accommodations may be provided in accordance with CLS Tribal policy.

• Employees may be required to sit or stand for extended periods and perform tasks involving reaching, talking, hearing, bending, stooping, twisting, squatting, kneeling, and fine motor coordination.
• This position may require regularly lifting or moving up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 75 pounds, with appropriate assistance or equipment as needed.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is primarily performed in an indoor educational environment with moderate noise levels. Employees may work in and/or proximity to classrooms, students, and standard office or instructional equipment. Conditions may vary based on program needs.

SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY NOTICE:

Chief Leschi Schools operates under the authority of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. Employment is governed by Tribal law and policy and does not create a contract of employment. Nothing in this job description or related materials shall be construed as a waiver of CLS’s or the Tribe’s sovereign immunity.

INDIAN PREFERENCE & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:

Chief Leschi Schools is an equal opportunity employer operating under the authority of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. Employment decisions are made in accordance with Tribal law, including applicable Indian preference requirements. Chief Leschi Schools provides employment opportunities without unlawful discrimination as defined by Tribal policy and aligns with applicable federal requirements where expressly required under law or the State-Tribal Education Compact. Nothing in this statement shall be construed as a waiver of CLS’s or the Tribe’s sovereign immunity.