Qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Qualifications required under the provisions of “No Child Left Behind”
  • Associate’s Degree, or
  • Completion of 48 semester hours of college credits, or
  • Successful completion of a series of Work Keys Tests plus 96 contact hours of appropriate staff development
• Valid Driver’s License (for at least 2 years) with a good driving record
• CDL License with passenger school bus endorsement and current Bus Drivers Pocket Card

Nature of Work

An Instructional Assistant/Bus Driver provides support to the teacher in the instruction of students. A wide variety of tasks are performed to support the teacher in the teaching-learning process for students. The work is directed by specific instructions, precedents and established policy. The employee operates small, medium-sized, or large capacity vehicles transporting children on established or special routes. The work is performed under the limited supervision of the teacher and/or principal.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of effective methods of dealing with children.
• Working knowledge of the core subjects at the grade level to which employment assignment is made.
• Some knowledge of the school organization and its community.
• Some knowledge of expected behavior of children, that is, basic characteristics of ages and stages.
• Skill necessary to operate audiovisual equipment and common office machines.
• Skill to make learning aids which will strengthen lesson plans.
• Ability to comprehend the purpose of teacher designed strategies as a fulfillment of the instructional objective.
• Ability to discern significant student behavior and refer this to the supervisor.
• Ability to impart information to the child’s level of comprehension.
• Ability to apply impartially and consistently proper methods of recognition, reward and punishment.
• Ability to solve independently most minor problems.
• Ability to follow minimally detailed written and oral instructions without constant supervision.
• Ability to record and store data accurately.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of student information.
• Considerable knowledge of safe and efficient practices and procedures used in the operation of a school bus.
• Considerable knowledge of traffic laws and school bus regulations.
• Considerable knowledge of safety regulations and standards for school buses.
• General knowledge of Transportation Department Operating Instructions.
• Ability to physically inspect the bus according to Transportation Department Operating Instructions.
• Ability to detect and report observable mechanical defects or failures on the school bus.
• Ability to maintain discipline of students assigned to ride the school bus.
• Ability to maintain a clean school bus.
• Ability to complete required reports.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative in applying standards to a variety of work situations.
• Ability to exercise tact and courtesy in contact with parents/guardians or students and with school personnel.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Essential Job Functions:

• Gives group instruction as prescribed by teacher.
• Provides individualized instruction.
• Demonstrates various instructional activities
• Monitors work assigned by teacher.
• Checks and corrects students’ work while in progress.
• Keeps students on task
• Praises and reinforces achievement of students.
• Reports student progress to teacher.
• Arranges classroom furnishing and equipment.
• Prepares visual aids.
• Duplicates materials.
• Reorganizes materials at the end of day.
• Scores students’ papers as instructed by teacher.
• Distributes and collects instructional materials.
• Attends workshops
• Checks and reports attendance
• Enters data in health record.
• Records student behavior.
• Files data according to regulatory requirements
• Supervises students in the classroom and other locations
• Creates and distributes awards for positive behavior
• Promotes student self esteem.
• Teaches citizenship, social skills and respect for others.
• Reconciles minor student conflicts.
• Participates in development of discipline policy.
• Disciplines misbehavior through approved methods.
• Reports discipline problems to teacher or principal.
• Reports to supervisor significant changes or lack of change in student behavior.
• Administers routine first aid and request assistance for non-routine injury or illness.
• Observes all safety regulations and standards for school buses. This includes clearing the school bus and evacuating students quickly in the event of an emergency.
• Has a copy of the current Handbook for the School Bus Driver and the Safety Assistant; refers to it periodically for guidance and to answer questions.
• Maintains discipline of students assigned to ride the school bus. Establishes a discipline plan that is consistent with school disciplinary objectives, as stated by the principal, and which provides a clear, progressive plan of consequences for students who cause disciplinary problems and rewards for those who maintain proper school bus safety standards.
• Reports undisciplined students to the responsible school principal.
• Discharges students only at the authorized school or bus stop locations.
• Transports only authorized students.
• Keeps the school bus clean and free of papers, bottles, cans food wrappers and other items which may present a safety problem.
• Reports all accidents as required by Transportation Operating Instructions and remains at the scene of the accident until released by the on-scene transportation supervisor.
• Completes personal time card and required reports, including reports required in the event of an accident or incident aboard the school bus.
• Remains in charge of all students aboard the bus at the time of an accident, determining the existence and extent of any injuries and maintaining the safety of all passengers.
• Secures the assigned bus before leaving the vehicle at the conclusion of a run or route. This includes parking the vehicle properly, making a visual inspection of the bus to check for damage and the possibility of remaining passengers (replace All-Out Flag or turn off child minder alarm), and securing all windows and doors to protect the interior of the vehicle.
• Maintains acceptable relationships with parents/guardians of students transported and with school personnel.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by supervisor.