Job Description

Must possess the physical, developmental and mental ability to perform job tasks, responsibilities and duties of the job illustrated below:

MAJOR FUNCTION

Primarily performs skilled work in the operation of light and heavy school buses used in transporting participants to and from the Polk County Summer Recreation Program. Assists in preparing, organizing and supervising children in the summer recreation program as assigned.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

• Transports participants to and from daily activities and field trips.

• Drives bus carefully and in compliance with traffic regulations.

• Assumes responsibility for the safety of participants in loading, unloading, and transporting to and from daily activities and field trips.

• Instructs participants in safety precautions and practices.

• Maintains discipline. Reports unruly behavior to site supervisor.

• Assures that accountability of participants is always maintained.

• Inspects and sweeps bus daily.

• Checks water, gas, oil, and mechanical conditions daily. Keeps operational records.

• Assures buses meet maintenance schedules.

• Reports defects, problems, and/or accidents to Recreation Supervisor and the Risk Management Division immediately (accidents).

• Assists site supervisor in operation of summer recreation program as assigned.

• Responsible for ensuring safe play, recreation rules are observed, and disciplinary measures are carried out according to established division policies and procedures (i.e.: enforce rules and regulations, maintain safeguards against accidents and instruct children in safe use of equipment.)

• Attends staff meetings.

• Provides information about activities and field trips to parents and citizens. Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

Ability to:

• Operate a bus in a safe and economical manner.

• Complete various forms and records which include time sheets, incident/accident reports, etc.

• Learn methods and practices of personal health and hygiene necessary for overseeing recreational and physical sport activities.

• Learn first aid methods and necessary safety precautions used in recreation and physical sport activities.

• Adhere to program standards and objectives as outlined in summer recreation policy and procedures manual.

• Supervise children during recreational and physical sport activities including maintaining order and discipline and solving disciplinary problems as they occur. Give and enforce orders firmly but tactfully.

• Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the public, other employees, and officials.

• Understand and follow instructions provided in written, verbal or diagram form.

• Perform various job tasks in all weather conditions and under various physical exertion and energy requirements.

• Lift a minimum of 25 pounds on a regular basis and occasionally up to 45 pounds.

• Promote and develop students’ desire to learn about the environment and environmental concepts.

• Organize games and challenges that promote physical activity and proper exercise and eating habits among children.

Knowledge of

• Programmatic operations of directing and meeting daily program and alternative needs for a variety of recreational activities suitable for children.

• Instructing children on environmental awareness and concepts, physical fitness, and health.

• Traffic and highway safety rules and regulations, and precautions necessary to avoid accidents.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate of an accredited high school or possess an acceptable equivalency diploma.

• Must be 18 years of age by hire date.

• Must possess a Florida Class CDL license with Passenger endorsement at the time of application.

• A comparable amount of related training and experience may be substituted for the

minimum qualifications.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicant must complete an Affidavit of Good Moral Character at the time of interview.

SPECIAL PREFERENCES

Prefer people with recreational programs, camp counseling, coaching, teaching or related experience.

All employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the county and its residents.