School Van Driver

Van Driver Job Description

A 4.0 van driver plays an integral role in providing a safe, orderly, and efficient transportation service for students.

The position is responsible for operating a school van and transporting school-aged children and other authorized personnel safely and efficiently over specified routes to and from schools and various activities. Position conducts pre-trip inspections; observes safety regulations and policies; enforces student discipline on the van; and performs related work.

Contact: Sidney Louisiana (612-268-2244)

Key Responsibilities

• Ensures the van can be operated safely before driving and conducts pre-trip safety inspections as required by federal and state laws to include observing visual defects and checking operating systems to include brakes, horn, lights, emergency flashers, and other mechanical items.
• Accurately and quickly learn routes, local area, and road systems
• Operates the vehicle safely over an assigned route, picking up and delivering only authorized students at assigned van stops, and watches to ensure that no one hurrying for the van is left behind.
• Keeps assigned time schedules, which may require driving during pre-day light and dusk periods, and makes every effort to be on time while ensuring safety.
• Hear and communicate orally when the van is in motion. Communicate orally on a two-way radio or hands-free phone with transportation dispatch and emergency services while the van is in motion. Communicate effectively and positively with parents, students, staff and co-workers.
• Ability to maintain and attend to students’ behavior while in transit, keeping students in the correct seats, and enforces established van rules to minimize distractions while driving
• Ensure proper use of safety equipment including seat belts, car seats, booster seats, star seats, safety harnesses, and wheelchairs.
• Reports undisciplined students in a timely manner to the proper authority and compiles written reports as requested in accordance with the van driver handbook
• Conducts semi-annual van evacuation drills as required by the Department of Education and implements evacuations as required in an emergency to include safely exiting from the rear of the school van.
• Reports all accidents immediately, requesting police or ambulance service as needed; assists injured persons until services arrive; and completes required accident reports.
• Maintains cleanliness of vehicle to ensure safe operating condition
• Maintains an adequate fuel level before, during, and after all trips
• Understand and comply with 4.0 School services policies and district policies, as well as state and federal laws and regulations

Knowledge & Skills

• Follow oral and written directions
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with staff and students
• Flexible, friendly, and good at establishing quick rapport with students
• Work with frequent interruptions
• Maintain a timely schedule
• Maintain a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality when dealing with students, staff, and/or parent information

Physical Requirements

• Moving/ lifting objects could be required in situational circumstances.
• Moderate pushing and pulling, reaching in front of body and stretching overhead.
• Duties also require repetitive hand and foot motions, frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, squatting, stooping, kneeling and climbing.
• Visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, close vision, distance vision, night/dusk vision, color vision, and peripheral vision.
• Vocal communication is required for communication on a two-way radio with transportation staff and emergency services while the van is in motion
• May be exposed to potential road hazards, including accidents, fumes from exhausts or airborne particles, loud noises, vibrations from driving van, and adverse weather conditions
• May be exposed to potential physical hazards when assisting students on and off the van.
• May be exposed to potential biological hazards from student body fluids and possible exposure of bacteria and communicable diseases

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid and appropriate Minnesota Driver's License
• Must have proof of good driving record
• Must have or obtain a current DOT medical card
• Attend orientation/training session and complete required 4.0 school services, district and state credentialing requirements (background check, drug testing)
• Must remain in compliance with state/division regulations regarding the use of controlled substances and alcohol as applied to school van drivers
• Annual and recurring training is required to maintain this position

Mandatory Availability: Monday - Friday: 6:00am- 9:30am & 1:30pm - 5:30pm
10-40 hours/ week