Transportation Assistant

Overview

TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANT

Transportation Department

Part-Time, 10 Months, Pay Grade 7

The Transportation Assistant assists the bus driver with loading and unloading students who are special needs or disabled and preparing them for transport to and from designated locations. Essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Student management:
  Maintains appropriate level of behavior and control of students while in transport.
• Secures students:
  Positions students within the bus, assists with operation of the lift, secures wheelchairs with appropriate tie-downs, and secures them with appropriate harnesses.
• Medical and first aid:
  Assists with special medical and first aid needs of students; understands the unique medical needs of all students in the vehicle; may be required to assume custody of student medications and administer medications and first aid as needed.
• Safety compliance:
  Assists the driver in ensuring full compliance with safety policies in transporting and handling students.
• Meetings:
  Attends pre-service, in-service, and other required meetings pertaining to the job.
• Student safety in driver’s absence:
  Assumes responsibility for the safety of transported students in the driver’s absence or when the driver is injured.
• Other duties:
  Assists in other duties as assigned.

• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school.
• A valid Virginia driver’s license is preferred.
• Satisfactory health condition as certified by a competent medical authority.
• CPR/First Aid required; on-site training provided.
• Ability to develop and maintain an empathetic attitude toward disabled students; ability to provide basic first aid and administer medication; ability to communicate and develop effective working relationships with students, parents, and staff.

Duties are performed typically in school settings including buses and classrooms. Regular travel on school transportation throughout Albemarle County is necessary. Frequent lifting of children and equipment up to 50 pounds may be required. Regular movement of children by all types of wheelchairs (mechanical, adaptive, electric, or manual) and other devices is required. Daily contact with special-needs and disabled students, classroom teachers, and the driver.

Regular contact with other staff, parents, and medical professionals may be required. Ability to move up and down steps to assist student loading and unloading. Physical ability to open passenger doors, emergency exits, medicine bottles, and manipulate securements; adjust seat belts and harnesses to safely secure students for transport. Frequent stooping and kneeling and the ability to get up and down off the floor of the bus unassisted.

Albemarle County offers a very generous employee benefit program, including medical, dental and retirement programs, paid holidays, and a host of other benefits options.

Final date to receive applications: Until Filled