School Bus Driver
Berkeley Unified School District
$29.30 - $35.74 Hourly
Berkeley, CA
Full-time
Job Number:
Department: Transportation
Opening Date: 08/13/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
Basic Function and Representative Duties
Notice of open and promotional, competitive examination to establish an eligibility list from which substitute, limited term, and regular appointments will be made.
Basic Function:
Under general supervision, drive a school bus to transport students safely and efficiently to an assigned location on a designated route; perform daily pre-trip safety inspections and assist in general cleaning of school buses
Representative Duties:
Essential Duties:
- Drive a school bus on designated routes; 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; assure only registered students board and exit at assigned bus stops unless otherwise approved by school district or parents
- Maintain order and discipline among passengers on the bus and while waiting at bus stops in accordance with policies related to disciplining students; communicate effectively with school staff and parents regarding student behavior as needed; prepare behavior/conduct reports to document incidents and negative behaviors of students
- Perform required daily safety inspections of buses inspect the interior and exterior of buses according to California Highway Patrol pre-trip regulations to assure safe operational condition; report mechanical malfunctions or other problems as required
- Determine appropriate action in emergency situations according to established guidelines; administer first aid to passengers as needed
- Maintain bus in a clean and safe operating condition which includes sweeping passenger areas; cleaning windshields, mirrors, dashboard, and driver compartment
- Transport students, and designated adults on school routes or school related activity trips; adhere to scheduled departure and arrival times as assigned; prepare related logs and reports
- Maintain records of vehicle condition, incidents/accidents, route times and mileage; conduct student counts and prepare related records
- Assist students as needed in boarding, buckling, and loading, securing and unloading students in wheelchairs as assigned; operate a wheelchair lift as assigned
- Utilize two-way radios for bus to bus and bus to base communications
- Communicate with Transportation Operations Staff and Maintenance Shop on a daily basis regarding safety concerns, safety of school bus stops and the mechanical condition of the buses
- Be available to respond to emergency or natural disaster situations when there is an urgent need to transport students, designated adults, victims, or others as needed
Other Duties:
Perform related duties as assigned
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of:
- Provisions of the California Motor Vehicle Code, California Highway Patrol Regulations, and Education Code applicable to the operation of vehicles in the transportation of students
- California Vehicle Code and local traffic ordinances
- District policies and practices regarding pupil transportation
- Safe and defensive driving practices
- Proper operations 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 as related to the position
Ability to:
- Drive a school bus safely and efficiently
- Communicate about mechanical issues and defects verbally and in writing
- Perform daily pre-trip safety inspections; and assist in general cleaning of school buses.
- Learn and apply District policies and procedures related to student discipline on buses
- Maintain a safe level of discipline among passengers
- Observe legal and defensive driving practices
- Learn and follow designated routes
- Learn the functionality and tolerance of the dual air braking system
- Learn the proper use of the electronically controlled transmissions installed in the fleet
- Maintain bus in a clean and orderly condition
- Administer first aid
- Maintain routine records as related to the position
- Understand and follow oral and written directions
- Communicate effectively with others
- Adhere to schedules and assigned time lines, except under extenuating circumstances
- Operate a two-way radio
- Maintain a clean driving record
- Maintain the safety and security of assigned students and all passengers
Education, Experience and Other Requirements
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, Certificates and Other Requirements:
Valid and current California Class A or B Commercial Driver License with appropriate passenger, school bus and air brake endorsements
Valid California Special Driver Certificate issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for school bus drivers
Valid Medical Examiner's Certificate
Valid First Aid and CPR Certificate (as required) issued by an authorized agency
Department of Justice fingerprint clearance through the California Highway Patrol
Good DMV driving record and ability to maintain insurability under the District's vehicle insurance policy
Incumbents in this classification are subject to federal drug and alcohol testing requirements
Working Conditions and Additional Information
Environment:
The 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 buses
Seeing to monitor passengers and operate a vehicle
Perform work which involves the frequent lifting, pushing and/or pulling of objects weighing up to 50 pounds, and occasionally and with assistance up to 100 pounds
Pushing or pulling wheelchairs
Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate school bus control panel
Hazards:
Traffic hazards
Exposure to seasonal heat and cold or adverse weather conditions
Exposure to fumes, dust, odors, oil/grease, and gases
Exposure to bloodborne pathogens and infectious diseases
Abusive, irate or violent students, parents or the general public
Examination Information:
This is an open and continuous recruitment. This recruitment will have a cut-off date every 90 days.
The first step in the examination process is the application screening and whether or not the candidate meets the minimum qualifications listed. Applicants invited to advance in this recruitment will be scheduled to take the first test soon after the cutoff date.
The testing process may consist of a written exam; an oral exam; a performance exam; a structured interview (SI); a qualification appraisal interview (QAI); an evaluation of training & experience/education (T&E) and/or any combination thereof.
All exams will have a passing score set between 50 and 99 depending on a variety of factors affecting that specific recruitment.
All candidates must pass the first examination process to be invited to the next step/test in the process.
As the testing process consists of a minimum of two examination processes; the weight of each of those processes may be determined at any step in the processes.
Qualified candidates will be notified of the date, time, and place of the examination(s)/