Helendale School District 

Special Ed Driver

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under general supervision, operates District vehicle in the transportation of students over designated assignments and routes; washes, vacuums, refuels and performs safety checks and inspections on assigned vehicles; and performs related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Incumbents drive assigned routes for the transportation of special needs students who may also be medically fragile to their designated school and from their designated school to their home in the Helendale area.  This position and the hours of this position depend upon District’s need to transport special needs students.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

1. Operates District vehicles to transport special needs students over designated routes in accordance with time schedules for picking up and discharging students.
2. Assists special needs students in accessing and departing from vehicle, including using wheelchair lifts to load students onto vehicle and securing and tying down students in wheelchairs; oversees the loading, seating and unloading of students from vehicles including assistance in securing in infant, toddler, or booster seats, seat belts; notifies parents of problem behavior or if students were ill.
3. Performs first aid or emergency assistance.
4. Evacuates vehicles in emergencies, following District rules and procedures; instructs students on van safety and emergency evacuations.
5. Performs required maintenance and safety checks and inspections on assigned vehicles; prepares and submits inspection reports; washes, vacuums, refuels, and performs equipment checks on assigned vehicles; maintains fuel consumption and mileage records.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of

1. Safe and defensive driving practices.
2. Applicable traffic and student transportation laws, codes and regulations.
3. Basic record-keeping techniques.
4. Techniques and methods of supervision of children with special needs
5. Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.

Ability to:

1. Perform all of the duties of the position with minimal supervision.
2. Skillfully operate District vehicle safely and efficiently over designated routes
3. Work with and demonstrate understanding of school age children including those with exceptional needs.
4. Exercise tact, patience, and firmness to maintain order and safety of passengers
5. Maintain safe discipline among passengers
6. Learn and apply District policies and procedures related to student discipline
7. Lift, restrain students according to approved policies and procedures
8. Observe legal and defensive driving practices
9. Learn and follow designated routes and time schedules
10. Read and interpret maps
11. Maintain van in clean and proper working condition
12. Demonstrate safe driving record
13. Conduct safety inspections and perform routine preventive maintenance
14. Maintain routine records
15. Understand and follow oral and written directions
16. Communicate effectively with others
17. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with District management, staff, parents, students and others encountered in the course of work.

Education, Training and Experience:

Graduation from high school or G.E.D., experience, training or education in special education or related area for a minimum of six months is desired

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

Possession of an appropriate valid California driver’s license, a good driving record by providing a clear and current DMV driver license information printout and the ability to maintain insurability under the District’s vehicle insurance policy.

CPR, basic first aid

Successfully complete an oral interview

Passing score on a District written test

Fingerprint clearance

TB Certificate

Upon acceptance of the District’s offer of employment, new hires shall be required to complete a baseline physical examination prior to the first day of employment.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, and walk; sit; talk, in person and by telephone; hear conversations, in person and by telephone, and equipment warnings; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is frequently required to kneel, stoop, bend, climb or balance; lift up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required include close vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or new skills; and interact with District management, staff and others encountered in the course of work.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristic described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee is regularly exposed to outdoor weather conditions and works near moving mechanical parts.  The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes, toxic or caustic chemicals.  The employee frequently operates a light van in road traffic conditions.  The noise level is occasionally noisy.

Board Approved  4-11-12

3/15/12 kh