Job Title: Instructional Assistant/Bus Driver

Reports to:Site Administrator
Job Group:School-Related Personnel

 

FLSA:Non-Exempt
Job Code:4001
Salary Schedule:PG03

JOB GOAL

Responsible for assisting teacher(s) in providing a well-organized, smoothly functioning educational environment in which students can take full advantage of the instructional program and available resources, under the direct supervision of a Highly Qualified Teacher; and for the safe and efficient delivery of students in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, rules of the State Board of Education, and policies and procedures of the District.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required of those in this position.
  1. Provide support in developing/maintaining students’ daily living needs and medical needs, such as toilet needs, lifting, diapering, feeding and personal hygiene, transferring, positioning, and ambulation as necessary.
  2. Intervene with District-Approved Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI), Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), first aid, medication, and child-specific procedures when indicated and appropriately trained.
  3. Assist teacher(s) with taking necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, materials, equipment, and facilities.
  4. Aid with supervision, escorting, movement, arrival, departure, and transportation of students in specific school settings or specialized functions during the school day, before and after school, during emergency drills, assemblies, and between class times (e.g., playground, media center, physical education class, mealtime in the cafeteria, etc.).
  5. Demonstrate dependability, integrity, and respect for individual differences.
  6. Maintain required certifications by participating in workshops, meetings, and in-service training sessions as required.
  7. Follow District policies and procedures concerning education, health, safety, personal information, wellbeing of students, and confidentiality, which may include but is not limited to, student behavior, health, special needs, program, changes, and staff members according to Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
  8. Perform other duties as assigned.

Instructional Assistant Duties

  1. Monitor, assist, supervise, and support students during teacher-directed whole group, small group, individualized instruction, independent work, and cooperative learning activities.
  2. Assist teacher(s) with classroom/student management and maintaining a safe classroom environment that is conducive to effective learning, including monitoring student behavior using positive behavior supports.
  3. Provide follow-up and review after teacher-directed instruction in a comprehensible manner that enables students to approach and interrelate topics from a variety of perspectives, interests, and points of view.
  4. Support students’ instructional programs through the preparation and implementation of educational materials, lesson plans, media, and technology and assist with the design of the academic program based on the assessed needs of students.
  5. Perform clerical tasks associated with instructional activities, prepare the classroom for activities, and prepare/collect materials and equipment for teacher(s) as needed, including adaptive equipment when applicable.
  6. Demonstrate a breadth of subject matter knowledge using the current references, materials, and technologies of the subject field, and communicate the information using language and style appropriate to the developmental stage of the learner.
  7. Assist teacher(s) in observing, recording, and maintaining data about student performance and behavior and health status, and maintain confidentiality concerning this data.
  8. Assist teacher(s) with administration of appropriate assessments and evaluation of student progress and comprehension on a regular basis, including preparing progress reports, providing feedback, and maintaining open lines of communication with students and parent(s)/guardian(s) as applicable, which includes preparing and disseminating family communication documents.

Bus Driver Duties

  1. Follow a designated route and an established time schedule while picking up students and dropping them off at specific locations on a printed route.
  2. Observe all state, city, and local traffic laws and regulations along with the District Safe Driver Plan, use all signals, and ensure that all traffic is stopped before loading and unloading students.
  3. Instruct students on proper safety methods to board and depart from the bus and see that instructions are carefully followed.
  4. Maintain order on bus at all times and stop any disruptive behavior by following District policies, procedures, and protocols.
  5. Perform daily pre-trip inspection of the bus and report any defect affecting safety or economy of operation immediately to supervisor.
  6. Perform post-trip inspection and walk through of the bus after the morning and afternoon runs are complete to ensure no student or non-essential equipment remains aboard the bus.
  7. Perform student checks at each school in the morning and at the end of each bus run in the afternoon.
  8. Report undisciplined bullying or harassing students to the proper authorities immediately.
  9. Report all accidents immediately and do not move the bus until directed by District School Board of Pasco County or local law enforcement.
  10. Ensure bus meets regular maintenance schedule and report mechanical or safety equipment failure, malfunction, or discrepancy with bus to shop supervisor.
  11. Complete various forms and records including, but not limited to, time sheets, field trip forms, incident reports, and accident reports.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

  • Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences, orally and in writing, including electronic media
  • Excellent time management skills and ability to organize, prioritize, and manage work assignments in an efficient manner and within established timeframes
  • Operating knowledge of computer programs, including email, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and web-based technologies and platforms
  • Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with all stakeholders
  • Demonstrate ability to safely operate the type and size vehicle assigned
  • Knowledge and understanding of state and local traffic laws and regulations
  • Knowledge of the proper operations of a school bus
  • Must submit to and pass an initial drug test and subsequent random drug tests in accordance with the requirements of Florida Statute and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office
  • All hires must pass pre-employment drug screening according to the Federal Omnibus Transportation Employees Testing Act (OTETA)
  • All hires must meet dexterity and reflect requirements according to the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) guidelines

EDUCATION, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE

  • Associate degree from an accredited institution in the field of Education, or related field
  • OR
  • 60 semester hours of college/university level course work from an accredited institution
  • OR
  • Obtain qualifying score to pass the ParaPro Assessment
  • All employees must satisfactorily complete any required trainings
  • All employees must meet all mandated federal and state health requirements

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES & REGISTRATIONS

  • Valid and current Florida Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), Class B, with a School Bus Endorsement ‘S’, and Passenger Endorsement ‘P’
  • Valid and current American Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
  • Current or ability to obtain Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC) for Commercial Driver Fitness Determination according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
  • Must maintain a driving record that meets the standards of the District Safe Driver Plan. Driver’s License must be maintained as a condition of continued employment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Two years' experience working with K-12 students
  • Two years' experience driving school bus or similar vehicle requiring CDL

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

None

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk, and hear. The employee occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 50 pounds. Specific vision ability required by this job includes close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Indoors and Outdoors: The worker is subject to both environmental conditions. Activities occur inside and outside.

Cold: The worker is subject to extreme cold. Temperatures are below 32 degrees for periods of more than one hour.

Heat: The worker is subject to extreme heat. Temperatures are above 100 degrees for periods of more than one hour.

Noise: The worker is subject to noise. There is sufficient noise to cause the worker to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level.

Vibrations:The worker is subject to vibration. There is exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities or whole body.

Atmospheric Conditions: The worker is subject to atmospheric conditions. One or more of the following conditions affect the respiratory systems or the skin: fumes, odors, mists, gases, or poor ventilation.

MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT

  • Transportation equipment including, but not limited to, wheelchairs, car seats, school bus lifts; proper use and handling of adaptive equipment and devices as necessary; and general office equipment, including personal computers, fax machines, copiers, telephones, etc.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Salary and benefits shall be paid consistent with the District’s approved compensation plan. Length of the work year and hours of employment shall be established by the District.

Performance of the job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the School Board’s policy on evaluation of personnel.

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Pasco County Schools will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to allow them to perform the essential functions of the job when such individuals request an accommodation.

Instructional Assistant/Bus Driver;   EST: December 15, 2009;   REV: July 18, 2023;   Board Approved: July 18, 2023

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