Job Description

First for a reason:

At First Student, we are a family of 60,000+ employees who take pride in safely transporting more than 5 million students and passengers to and from their destinations each day! Our family of brands include Transco, Total Transportation, Maggies Paratransit, and GVC II. Our employees are at the forefront of safety and innovation; they create and implement the most advanced training and technology the transportation industry has to offer.

First Student is Now Hiring Part-Time School Bus Drivers!

Now offering a $3,000-$5,000 Sign-On Bonus* for candidates with CDL B with P & S Endorsement!

Locations include the following IL school districts: Skokie, Northbrook, Wheeling, Prairie View, and Batavia, Northbrook, Schaumburg- Elk Grove- South Holland- Glen Ellyn- Villa Park

Pay Rate: $24 - $30/hour

Schedule: Part-Time, Split Shift (AM/PM), Weekdays Only

Why Drive with First Student?

• $24 - $30/hour pay after training, based on experience
• Earn up to $2,000 bonus for referring drivers with CDL B with P & S Endorsement!
• $1500 sign-on bonus for new drivers!
• Commercial Learners Permit Bonus**
  • $750.00 Bonus – if the CLP is completed presented within 7 days of completing the Virtual CLP class.
  • 250.00 Bonus – if the CLP is presented within 14 days of completing the Virtual CLP class.
• Part-time, flexible weekday schedule
• Split shifts – mornings and afternoons
• No nights, weekends, or holidays
• Guaranteed minimum hours
• Full benefits package (medical, dental, vision, 401(k), more)
• Seasonal/school-year work with summers off
• Supportive, safety-first work environment

If you are already a driver in these types of roles, this experience is a plus:

• CDL School Bus Driver
• Student Transportation Driver
• School Route Driver
• Substitute Bus Driver
• AM/PM School Bus Operator
• Local CDL Driver – School Transportation
• Shuttle Driver
• Coach Driver
• Transit Bus Driver

Bus Driver Responsibilities:

• Safely transport students to and from school and events
• Operate school buses on assigned local routes
• Conduct pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections
• Maintain cleanliness and ensure safety of the vehicle
• Communicate professionally with students, parents, and school staff
• Follow all state and local traffic laws and district policies

Licenses/Driving History that we would find valuable and needed to have or acquire:

• Valid CDL Class B (or higher) with Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements (or willingness to obtain)
• Are at least 21 years old
• Have a valid driver’s license for at least 3 years
• No degree and no high school diploma required.

Take the wheel and drive your career forward as a School Bus Driver with First Student. Make an impact in your community while enjoying flexible hours, great pay, and unmatched support.

Military and veterans are encouraged to apply.

*conditions apply; See location for details; Bonus offer expires 01/31/2026; Bonus and amount depend on license, endorsements, and time to complete training.

In the state of Washington, all technician and driving positions, including but not limited to van drivers and any other position requiring employees to drive a company-owned vehicle, are considered safety-sensitive and are therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing, including cannabis.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. First is also committed to providing a drug-free workplace. First will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, and any other fair chance law. Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance Poster is at this link or upon request https://www.phila.gov/media/20210423160847/Fair-Chance-Hiring-law-poster.pdf