Job Description

POSITION: Substitute Bus Operator

LOCATION: Pocahontas County Schools

CLASSIFICATION: Service Personnel

REPORTS TO: Director of Transportation

EVALUATION: Performance in this position will be evaluated by the Director of Transportation and in accordance with WV State Code §18A-2-12, WVBE Policy 5314, and Pocahontas County Schools Policy 4220.

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

SALARY: In accordance with the substitute service personnel pay schedule established by the Pocahontas County Board of Education.

TERM OF EMPLOYMENT: Effective upon completion of necessary training and board approval.On an as-needed basis during the school year and summer months, as assigned.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Pursuant to WV Code §18A-4-8, a Bus Operator means a person employed to operate school buses and other school transportation vehicles as provided by the state board. A Substitute Bus Operator is a person employed on an as-needed basis to operate school buses and other school transportation vehicles.

The Substitute Bus Operator is responsible for the safe and efficient transportation of students and shall perform all duties required by federal and state law, West Virginia Board of Education policies, and Pocahontas County Schools transportation procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Qualifications as defined by West Virginia Code §18A-4-8b and applicable WVDE transportation regulations.
• High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED) Certificate.
• Must obtain and maintain a valid West Virginia Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with appropriate Passenger and School Bus endorsements within the timeline established by Pocahontas County Schools.
• Must successfully complete all requirements of the West Virginia School Bus Operator Certification Program.
• Must successfully pass all required background checks pursuant to state law.
• Must pass and maintain required physical examinations, drug and alcohol testing, and other requirements established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the West Virginia Department of Education, and Pocahontas County Schools.
• Demonstrated ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

Applicants selected must successfully complete all training, certification, licensing, physical examination, and testing requirements necessary to obtain School Bus Operator certification and operate a school bus in accordance with state and federal requirements. A training schedule and completion timeline will be established. Employees are expected to attend all scheduled training sessions, participate fully in the training program, and make satisfactory progress toward certification. Failure to meet established training requirements, milestones, or completion deadlines may result in removal from the training program.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Performance Responsibilities

• Perform all duties outlined in West Virginia Board of Education Policy 4336 and Pocahontas County Board of Education policies.
• Maintain positive work habits, professional conduct, and dependable attendance.
• Interpret and follow a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, route, or schedule form.
• Maintain a positive attitude and effective communication with students, parents, employees, and community members.
• Maintain a safe and cooperative environment while transporting students.
• Operate school buses and other school transportation vehicles in a safe and efficient manner while complying with traffic laws and transportation regulations.
• Obtain and maintain a valid West Virginia Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with required passenger and school bus endorsements.
• Successfully complete and maintain all required certification, training, and testing requirements for school bus operators.
• Maintain valid First Aid, CPR, and any other certifications required by law or county procedures.
• Successfully complete all required physical examinations and drug and alcohol testing requirements.
• Conduct and document pre-trip and post-trip inspections of assigned vehicles.
• Conduct emergency evacuation drills and implement emergency procedures as required.
• Transport students safely to and from school, school-sponsored activities, athletic events, field trips, and other approved assignments.
• Maintain accurate route information, student rosters, mileage logs, inspection reports, and other required documentation.
• Supervise students while loading, unloading, and riding school transportation vehicles and maintain appropriate student conduct.
• Assist and supervise students with disabilities and secure wheelchairs and specialized equipment as required.
• Assist ill or injured students and respond appropriately during emergencies.
• Safely operate emergency equipment, including fire extinguishers and first aid supplies.
• Clean and maintain the interior and exterior of assigned vehicles.
• Monitor fuel, oil, coolant, and other fluid levels and report deficiencies promptly.
• Remove obstructions from windshields, adjust mirrors, and ensure safe operating conditions before transporting students.
• Install snow chains and perform other weather-related safety measures when directed.
• Immediately report accidents, mechanical malfunctions, unsafe conditions, or other concerns through established procedures.
• Maintain and upgrade skills through participation in required training and professional development.
• Report to assigned routes, trips, and transportation assignments as directed by the Director of Transportation or designee.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Transportation, Superintendent, or designee.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit for extended periods, stand, walk, stoop, bend, reach overhead and at shoulder height, lift, pull, push, grasp, talk, hear, see, utilize interior and exterior mirrors, and perform repetitive motions. The employee may frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and, when assigned to special education transportation, may be required to lift, move, or assist with students and equipment weighing up to 100 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required include distance vision to read road signs and identify potential hazards; near vision to monitor vehicle instruments and student passengers; color vision; peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must possess the physical and mental ability to safely operate a school bus under varying road, traffic, and weather conditions.

The position requires the ability to manage multiple demands simultaneously, respond appropriately to emergencies, maintain awareness of student behavior and safety, and interact effectively with students, parents, staff, and the public.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position requires exposure to varying weather conditions, including extreme cold, heat, rain, snow, and ice. The employee may be exposed to temperatures below freezing and temperatures exceeding 90°F. Noise levels are typically moderate to loud due to vehicle operation and student passengers.

Substitute Bus Operators work on an as-needed basis and may be assigned varying schedules, routes, school activities, athletic trips, and extracurricular transportation assignments. Employees may encounter heavy traffic, adverse road conditions, slippery surfaces during student loading and unloading, and frequent interruptions requiring sound judgment and attention to safety.

The position requires continuous interaction with students, staff, parents, and the public while maintaining a safe and orderly transportation environment. The work can be stressful and mentally demanding due to responsibility for student safety, changing assignments, weather conditions, and traffic conditions.

The information contained in this job description is provided for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Additional duties may be assigned by the Superintendent or designee as necessary.

TO APPLY:

Pocahontas County Schools only accepts bids electronically for all jobs. However, if you need assistance with your application, please contact the Pocahontas County Schools Board of Education office at (304) 799-4505. You may apply online directly from the WVDE website, or from our district website at https://boe.pocahontas.k12.wv.us/page/employment. To be considered for any position, bids must be submitted by the bid closing time on the last day of the posting for the desired position. All bids are posted a minimum of five business days.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Pocahontas County Schools will grant equal employment opportunity to all persons, regardless of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, or handicap, and there will be no discrimination based on these factors in the salary, promotion, demotion, or termination of any employee. Any discrimination concerns should be directed in writing to the Personnel Director, Pocahontas County Schools, 404 Old Buckeye Rd, Buckeye, WV 24924.