Hiring For The 2024-2025 School Year

Job Title: Bus Driver          

Location: Student Transportation Center

Reports To: Director, Student Transportation 

Work Schedule/FLSA Status: 178 Duty Day as per negotiated agreement/ Non- Exempt

Salary Schedule: This is a full time position.

Position Purpose:  Operation of school vehicles under all types of weather conditions; safely transporting students and other authorized persons over school routes according to a time schedule, and on field trips, co-curricular or special trips as authorized by OPS officials.  Assists special needs of students including transporting wheelchair bound students. Conducts bus practice and emergency evacuations. Services, inspects and cleans vehicle and related equipment. Performs and completes daily pre-trip inspections; completes forms, records and reports.   Must be willing to drive in the morning and afternoon - split schedule. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age.
• Must have a High school diploma or G.E.D.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and minimum of three (3) years driving experience and demonstrate and maintain a safe driving record.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.
• Successful completion of the Student Transportation Bus Driver Training Program including: NE DMV - Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), NE DMV – School Bus Driver’s permit, and First Aid/CPR training.
• Must meet OPS insurability requirements.
• Evidence of understanding and willingness to comply with the practices and procedures cited in the Handbook for Transportation Employees.

Essential Performance Responsibilities

• Drives school vehicle safely and professionally.
• Drives school vehicle on scheduled/designated routes.
• Complies with all traffic rules, regulations and ordinances.
• Demonstrates proficiency in handling and maneuvering the vehicle.
• Services, inspects and cleans vehicle and related equipment.
• Maintains control of student passengers within necessary parameters for student safety consistent with school district policy.
• Ability to work with distractions.
• Ability to serve as a positive role model for youth.
• Continues to acquire professional knowledge and learn of current developments in the educational field by attending seminars, workshops or professional meetings, or by conducting research.
• Working with and understanding a diverse student population.
• Performs and properly completes daily pre-trip inspection; completes forms, records, and reports as required by federal, state and school district policy.

Additional Duties
Performs other related tasks as assigned by supervisor and other central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent.

Equipment:  This position may require the ability to use levers, lifts, mechanical tools and cleaning supplies.  

Travel:  Local travel will be required.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards:

• Must be able to respond rapidly in emergency situations.
• Must have organization, time management, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Work in an office environment, school buildings and warehouse setting.
• Ability to lift, move and reposition objects and materials- frequently exerting force equal to lifting fifty (50) pounds.

Physical Demand Classifications:

-Rarely   1-5% of the time, in an 8 hour day

-Occasionally 6-33% of the time, in an 8 hour day

-Frequently 34-66% of the time, in an 8 hour day

-Continuously 67-100% of the time, in an 8 hour day

Essential Functions:

STANDING: (Remaining on one’s feet in an upright position without walking). Occasional: Operating/monitoring the wheel chair lift. 

WALKING: - (Moving about on foot. It requires 3 consecutive steps to be considered walking) Occasional: Inspecting the exterior and interior of the bus; assisting students in/out of the bus. Washing the bus; fueling the bus. 

SITTING:  (Remaining in a seated position with hips and knees bent to some extent and buttocks resting on a surface) Frequent: Operating/driving the bus; computer work tasks. 

LIFTING: (Raising or lowering an object from one level to another.)  Occasional: Handling cleaning materials; handling students. 

Item: Students Height:  Placing smaller children onto bus car seats and securing them with seat belts. Weight: Will Vary Rate: Rarely - Will Vary

Item: Window washer fluid Height:  From ~12” handle into vehicle

Weight: 22 lb. Full Rate: Rarely 1-2 x week

CARRYING: (Transporting an object over a distance through walking) Occasional: Window washer fluid. 

PUSHING: (Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves away from the Force) Occasional: Horizontal pushing when moving students in wheelchairs standard handle height (~33”) - 2 handed task. The force will vary depending on surface and weight of the individual. Horizontal pushing when positioning/moving the power brush machine at a hand height of ~40” with an initial force of 45 lb. for a distance up to ~10 feet 1-2 times per month. Closing Bus Door using handle – one handed. Pushing force 10-15 lb. Handle height 25-29”. Performed while sitting (seat height 15.5”) Reach distance ~20”. 

PULLING: (Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves toward the Force) Occasional: Horizontal pushing when moving students in wheelchairs standard handle height (~33”)- 2 handed task. The force will vary depending on surface and weight of the individual. Horizontal pushing when positioning/moving the power brush machine at a hand height of ~40” with an initial force of 45 lb. for a distance up to ~10 feet 1-2 times per month. Horizontal pulling to open the bus door at 57” with a force of 23 lb. to rotate the door open. Opening Bus Door (from in vehicle) using handle – one handed. Pulling force 10-15 lb. Handle height 25-29”. Performed while sitting (seat height 15.5”) Reach distance ~20”. 

CLIMBING: (To Ascend or Descend apparatus or structures) Occasional: In/out of bus 4 steps 14”, 9”,9”,9”.  May have to walk on incline or wheelchair ramp.  

STOOPING: (Bending the body downward and forward from a standing position by bending the spine at the hips and/or waist  Occasional: Using the vacuum when cleaning the interior of the bus; accessing the wheelchair seat belt from the floor level; securing students in seat belts. May kneel or crouch. 

KNEELING: (Bending the legs at the knees to come to rest on one or both knees) Occasional: Using the vacuum when cleaning the interior of the bus; accessing the wheelchair seat belt from the floor level; securing students in seat belts. May kneel or crouch. 

CROUCHING: (Bending the body downward and forward by bending legs at the hips and knees with simultaneous forward bending of the spine) Occasional: Using the vacuum when cleaning the interior of the bus; accessing the wheelchair seat belt from the floor level; securing students in seat belts. May kneel or crouch. 

REACHING: (Extending arms and hands away from the body in any direction. Shoulder angle must be least 45 degrees from the body to be considered reaching) Occasional: Up to 74” accessing the latch when securing the wheel chair lift gate; forward reach to use steering wheel and accessing door release button.  

HAND USAGE: (Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with the hand or hands. Fingers are involved only to the extent that they are an extension of the hand, such as to turn a switch or shift gears) Frequent:  Operating the bus: steering; use of radio; opening/closing of door. 

Dynamic Grip when using pressure hose when cleaning the bus. Handle width ~4”, hand length ~4”, 3-4 fingers can be used, trigger depressed ~1.5” with a force of 15-30 lb. 

Latching and unlatching the wheelchair lift gate. ~8” Latch requires a diagonal force from 68” to/from 74” with a force up to 25 lb.; up to 12-16 times per shift

Use of cleaning brush when cleaning the bus.

Use of vacuum hose when cleaning bus. 

CRAWLING: (Moving about on hands and knees, hands and feet or on the abdomen) N/A: Not required as part of this job. 

Interrelations:

• Contact with personnel within the district and with customers and vendors.
• Will be working under the direct supervision of the department supervisor in order to complete day to day tasks.
• Will be working with a diverse population requiring the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Must understand and respond appropriately to customer needs and maintain a positive attitude with all customers and colleagues.
• Expected to interact with all internal and external customers in a friendly, professional manner and provide quick, responsive customer service.

Employee Punctuality and Appearance

• In order for schools to operate effectively, employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday, unless the employee has received approved leave.
• Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employee’s supervisor or building administrator.
• All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of Omaha Public Schools and is appropriate for their position.

Terms of Employment

This position is treated as a classified full-time non-exempt position. The terms of your employment will be governed by applicable state laws regulating employment in a Nebraska public school and Board of Education policies, as those laws and policies may change from time to time. If your position is represented by a collective bargaining representative, then your employment will also be governed by a negotiated agreement between OPS and that collective bargaining representative.

The offer of employment is contingent upon:

• Obtaining and providing verification of all licenses, certificates, and other requirements for the position (e.g., Paraprofessionals obtaining “Highly Qualified status,” etc.), as identified.
• A background check which demonstrates to OPS that background is acceptable for the position.
• Verification of U.S. citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test (if required for position offered).
• Successful completion of a tuberculosis skin test (if required for position offered).
• Successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination to determine ability to safely and effectively perform the essential functions of the position.

Omaha Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or economic status in its programs, activities, employment, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director for the Office of Equity and Diversity, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131. (531-299-0307)   

The Omaha Public School District is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process please contact the human resources department at 531-299-0240.