Bus Operator - Standby
About the Employer
Summary
Operate a school bus or other school transportation vehicle to pick up and drop off students at regularly scheduled locations safely. These positions are only available to substitute bus operators. Successful applicants are required to apply for all full-time bus runs until they obtain a bus run.
Qualifications
High school diploma or General Education Degree (GED), pursuant to WV Code §18a-2-5; Criminal background check conducted pursuant to WV Code §18-5-15c; meet the definition of “qualifications” in WV Code §18a-4-8b; demonstrated competency, pursuant to WV Code §18a-4-8e (state-approved competency test) as required.
Work Environment
Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
• Exposure to extreme temperatures from below freezing to occasionally 80°F+ during warmer months.
• Noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud (60-90 dB).
• Bus operators usually have a five-day work week that is considered “split-shift,” meaning the first run can begin early in the morning (4:45 am) to late afternoon (5:30 pm), with time off in-between.
• Hours are dictated by the schedule they run.
• A bus operator can anticipate slippery floor surfaces from passengers loading and unloading.
• A bus operator runs through heavy traffic while dealing with passengers.
• The job can be more stressful and fatiguing than physically strenuous.
Evaluation
Job performance is evaluated in accordance to district guidelines by the supervisor.
Position Title: Standby Bus Operator(s)
Department: Transportation Reports to: Director of Transportation Responsibility: All qualifications as set forth in the West Virginia School Transportation Regulations Contract: 200 days Payscale: D PayScale minimum of $31,220 - maximum of $43,700 plus any college hours plus competitive benefits package equal to approximately 35% of direct compensation. Start Date: October 6, 2026
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Other duties may be assigned.
• Perform pre/post trip inspections
• Learn route, including pick up and drop off locations
• Safely use fire extinguisher
• Assist and supervise students with disabilities
• Communicate with students, parents, school officials, and supervisors
• Mop and clean inside and outside the vehicle
• Complete proper paperwork
• Work overtime as needed
• Ability to sit for long periods of time
• Ability to tolerate ill children and clean up from student sickness accidents
• Walk from the operator’s seat to the rear of the bus
• Open all emergency exits
• Install snow chains on a bus
• Raise the hood of a conventional school bus and check oil levels and antifreeze levels
• Remove obstructions from windshield and under wiper blades
• Adjust all outside mirrors
• Secure a wheelchair
• Complete monthly reports accurately and on time
• Conduct a rules and regulations orientation each year on each regular bus run
• Bring bus to garage for regularly scheduled maintenance
• Perform all duties outlined in WV State Board of Education Policy 4336 (available at http://wvde.state.wv.us/policies/p4336.doc)
Supervisory Responsibilities
Supervises students.
Language Skills
Ability to read, write, and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to staff, parents, students, and administrators.
Reasoning Ability
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
Other Skills and Abilities
Ability to work with emotionally, physically, and/or mentally impaired students. Ability to maintain composure under stressful conditions. Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, staff, and the school community. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and board of education policies. Understanding of confidentiality and commitment to abide by confidentiality regulations.
Physical Demands
Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Frequently required to stoop, reach overhead and shoulder height, stand, walk, lift, pull, push, grasp, talk, hear, use interior and exterior rear view mirrors, and use repetitive motions.
• Frequently lift and/or move at least 50 pounds (100 pounds minimum on a special education bus) of materials, children, etc.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision such as to read road signs and detect road hazards, near vision such as to monitor instruments as well as student passengers, the ability to adjust focus.
• The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and other staff members.
• Employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds such as adaptive equipment and supplies.
• Employee must frequently push/pull up to 90 pounds such as grocery carts filled with supplies or student wheelchairs.
• While performing the duties of this job, employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms.
• Employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and talk or hear.
• Employee is occasionally required to sit, to use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Employee is occasionally required to bend at the trunk more than the average person.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and peripheral vision.
• Employee needs to be able to tell where a sound is coming from and hear in a noisy environment.
Compliance with American with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position, and additional duties may be assigned.
Application Requirements
Applicants who have been dismissed or have had their contracts non-renewed for cause are not eligible for consideration. Applicants who receive unfavorable reference recommendations will not be eligible for consideration. Applicants must complete the entire application and provide all documents required. Failure to complete the application and provide requested items will result in the application not being considered.
Return to Work Policy
Berkeley County Schools is bound by statute to recommend the most qualified applicants for position vacancies. In order to determine those qualifications as set forth by the West Virginia Code, we require all applicants to fill out an application, which includes references, and, in many instances, participate in interviews. Failure to provide references, negative references, and failing to participate in requested interviews may impact negatively a candidate’s qualifications.