The Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District is in urgent need of both bus drivers and substitute teachers. According to COCSD Superintendent Steve King, the staffing shortage that led to a temporary termination of bus service was not directly due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, but due to a lack of drivers.
“We don’t have any drivers with COVID, so it was not directly related to COVID, but everything is affected by COVID right now,” King said regarding this week’s brief termination of bus service. According to King, while drivers have not been directly affected by the virus, some have had to deal with family members and others who tested positive for the disease, through required quarantines and other concerns, while some members of the staff have gotten the virus.
After announcing on Monday, Nov. 30 that the district’s bus services would be shut down for the immediate future due to staffing shortages, the district announced on Wednesday that buses would be returning Thursday, Dec. 3, and for the near future. Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District Superintendent Steve King said Friday, Dec. 4, that the district was able to get together enough drivers to resume bus service and apologized for not sending out a notification to the public.
COCSD is urgently asking the public to consider becoming a full-time, part-time or substitute driver.
The starting salary is minimum wage before getting a commercial driver’s licence, and a starting salary of $13.90 per hour after getting a CDL. Drivers work approximately 4.5 hours a day, from approximately 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. then from 2 to 4:30 p.m.
To become a bus driver, applicants must be 21 years of age or older and be able to pass background check, drug and alcohol testing, and Arizona Department of Transportation physical and physical agility test; possess a Class B or better commercial driver’s licence with air brakes and passenger endorsement, or able to obtain, and school bus driver certification or willing to be trained.
Contact the COCSD Transportation Department at 634-9679 for additional information.
QUALIFICATIONS
BASIC FUNCTION
- Drive a school bus to transport students safely and efficiently to an assigned location on a designated route; perform regular safety inspections.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
- Drive a school bus along a designated route; pick up and discharge students in accordance with time schedules; observe legal and defensive driving practices; assure compliance with applicable traffic and student transportation laws, codes and regulations.
- Maintain order and discipline among passengers on the bus and while waiting at bus stops in accordance with policies related to disciplining students; prepare related reports as necessary.
- Determine appropriate action in emergency situations according to established guidelines; administer first aid to passengers as needed.
- Conduct required daily safety inspections of buses; inspect the interior, exterior and engine of buses to assure safe operational condition; report mechanical malfunctions or other problems as required; prepare and maintain related records.
- Maintain buses in a clean and safe operating condition; wash, sweep and clean buses; refuel and prepare vehicle for operation.
- Transport students, faculty and parents on field trips or other events; meet scheduled departure and arrival times as assigned; prepare related logs and reports.
- Utilize two-way radios for bus to bus and bus to base communications.
- Attend safety meetings and programs as assigned.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
KNOWLEDGE OF:
- Safe and defensive driving practices.
- Proper operation of school buses.
- Applicable traffic and student transportation laws, codes and regulations.
- Basic first aid procedures.
- Basic record-keeping techniques.
- Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
- Health and safety regulations.
- Oral and written communication skills.
ABILITY TO:
- Drive a school bus safely and efficiently.
- Learn and apply policies and procedures related to student discipline on buses.
- Maintain a safe discipline level among passengers.
- Observe legal and defensive driving practices.
- Learn and follow designated routes.
- Maintain bus in clean and proper working condition.
- Conduct safety inspections and perform routine preventive maintenance.
- Administer first aid.
- Maintain routine records.
- Understand and follow oral and written directions.
- Communicate effectively with others
- Meet schedules and time lines.
- Operate a two-way radio.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Any combination equivalent to: graduation from high school and sufficient training and experience to demonstrate the knowledge and abilities listed above.
LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- Valid unrestricted Arizona commercial driver’s license with appropriate passenger endorsement and school bus certification.
- Ability to pass physical and drug screening tests.
- Valid First Aid and CPR Certificate issued by an authorized agency.
WORKING CONDITIONS
ENVIRONMENT:
- School bus and outdoor environment.
- Seasonal heat and cold or adverse weather conditions.
- Evening or variable hours.
- Exposure to fumes, dust, odors, oil/grease and gases.
- Driving a vehicle to conduct work.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Sitting for extended periods of time while operating buses.
- Hearing and speaking to exchange information.
- Reaching, pulling and pushing to open bus doors.
- Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching to inspect and wash buses.
- Reaching overhead, above the shoulders or horizontally.
- Seeing to monitor passengers and operate a vehicle.
- Lifting moderately heavy children or objects.
HAZARDS:
- Traffic hazards.
EVALUATION
- Job performance will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on Evaluation of Support Staff Personnel.
