M-DCPS TRANSPORTATION DRIVER TRAINING SECTION

 

School Bus Driver applicants must successfully complete a comprehensive screening, training, and testing process as required by Federal, State and Local regulations prior to achieving certification to transport students. Our school bus drivers work a minimum of 30 hours per week and become eligible for benefits. The starting rate is $11.41 per hour. This is an excellent opportunity for current part-time employees to earn more money and obtain benefits at the same time.

                       

Benefits

• Free health and life insurance
• Holiday pay
• Ten (10) paid sick leave days
• Uniform Allowance
• Credit Union Membership
• State retirement benefits
• Education Assistance fund
• Good Attendance Incentive
• Commercial Driver’s License Training Program

 

Hiring Procedures for School Bus Drivers  (Job description)

 

• Applicants must posses a valid Florida driver’s license with a minimum of 5 years licensed driving experience.

 

• Applicants must submit with the employment application, three (3) letters of references, one from a current or former employer on company letterhead, and two (2) personal references. Full application package must be submitted to the Office of Non-Instructional Staffing or any of the eight (8) Transportation centers. For more information click on link.

 

• The driving record of all applicants will be checked for infractions through the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and (DHSMV). Regardless of conviction status or State disposition, points will be assessed for each infraction based on the District’s School Bus Driver Screening Criteria.

 

• Preliminary orientation of hiring requirements is conducted by the Office of Non-instructional Staffing.

 

• Department of Transportation will conduct an orientation of training requirements and expectations for prospective school bus drivers and aides.

 

• All applicants (without exception) must complete a dexterity test to demonstrate their physical abilities to successfully operate a school bus.

 

• All applicants must submit to Alcohol and Control Substance Abuse testing prior to becoming an employee with the district. Once employed, random testing of all school bus drivers and aides will be required as outlined by the Omnibus Transportation Employees Testing Act (OTETA).

 

• A criminal background check is performed by the Office of Non-Instructional Staffing which requires fingerprinting. Follow procedures outlined on the link.

 

• A physical exam is required during the hiring process and consequently thereafter on an annual basis.

 

Hiring Procedures for School Bus Aides    (Job description)

 

Applicants for School Bus Aides are required to successfully complete screening, training, and testing similar to those required of School Bus Drivers before gaining employment. Applicants interested in becoming a School Bus Aide need to contact any of our eight (8) Transportation centers to initiate the hiring process.

 

School Bus Driver Training Course

 

• Prior to the start of training, a CDL Written Preparation Class is provided to assist trainees in preparing for the CDL written tests . Successful completion of these test are required to obtain a CDL learner’s permit. Trainees must have the CDL learner’s permit prior to beginning the training class. Trainees must request this permit after passing the tests at the DHSMV. Although attending the CDL Written Preparation Class is not required it is highly recommended and will greatly increase the trainees chances of passing. 
• Training class lasts approximately twenty (20) days and includes (40) hours of classroom instruction and on the road training. A minimum of twenty (20) hours of classroom instruction and eight (8) hours of actual behind the wheel training based on the Department of Educations Basic School Bus Driver Curriculum is required.  This course includes a CDL training and testing class. After successful completion of all requirements, the driver will be assigned to one of our eight (8) Transportation centers.