JOB LOCATIONS:  Requires travel on school bus to assist the school bus driver with transportation of children located in Shamokin area who are enrolled in the Northumberland County Head Start program located at the Northumberland County Career and Technology Center.

JOB TITLE:  School Bus Rider

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:  The school bus rider for Head Start will report to the student transportation coordinator and/or in his/her absence, to the chief financial officer. 

JOB DEFINITION:  The school bus rider for Head Start shall be responsible to insure the safety and well-being of all students while riding the school bus.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1. Assume responsibility for the care and safety of the student and never leave students unattended.
2. Relay messages from parent-to-center and center-to-parent including health and safety of the students. Communicate effectively with children and adults. Maintain an open line of communication with the bus driver, other Head Start staff and CSIU student transportation staff.
3. Help children on and off the vehicle when needed.
4. Assist children to the seat. Make sure child is properly restrained in seat belt/car seat before the bus is in motion.
5. Maintain discipline, as necessary.
6. Go for help in case of trouble or emergency. Assist in completion of accident report forms, as needed.
7. Assist in clean up after a child has an accident or injury in the vehicle, following "Guidelines for the Prevention of Disease Transmission" standard procedure.
8. Be responsible for maintaining a good atmosphere on the vehicle. Help to make the vehicle ride an enjoyable, learning time.
9. Assist with program activities when necessary.
10. Attend in-service when appropriate.
11. Maintain confidentiality.
12. Maintain current physical on a biennial schedule.

OTHER MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Make sure adult is home when child is taken home. Also help enforce the policy that an adult must bring the child to the bus and to get them from the bus.
2. Babysitting during monthly Parent Meetings, if available.
3. Promote a positive Head Start image in the community.
4. Responsible for assisting in contacting parents, center, CSIU, etc., if necessary, in the event of a delay and/or vehicle breakdown.
5. Substitute for regular driver as needed.
6. In the event of an emergency, the children's safety is of greatest concern. Refer to the Head Start Transportation Emergency Procedures for a description of duties/responsibilities.
7. Perform other duties as assigned by immediate supervisor.
8. This job description in no way states or implies that the duties listed represent all of the job responsibilities for this position. Your immediate supervisor has the prerogative to assign other job-related duties.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

• A High School Diploma, equivalent General Education Diploma (GED), or  enrollment in classes toward obtaining a General Education Diploma (GED) within one (1) year of employment start date, is required.    

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:  Some experience working with children is preferable, but not mandatory. Must have an interest in and concern for children and their families.  Must have the ability to follow oral and written instructions. 

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS:  Current, approved Act 34 (PA State Police), Act 151 (PA Child Abuse Registry) and Act 114-FBI Fingerprint clearances are required and must be renewed at appropriate, specific intervals pursuant to Act 153 of 2014 (revised Act 15 of 2015).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to ride on a school bus for periods of time with young children.
• Must be physically able to help children on and off the school bus, help children in their seats and fasten seat belts or car seats, if applicable.
• Considerable bending, stooping and squatting must be tolerated.

TIME REQUIREMENT:  

• This is a part time, non-exempt position not to exceed working 29 hours per week and follows the Head Start school-year calendar.
• There may be occasional Wednesday / days when extra hours will be required for staff in-service, parent meetings, etc.
• Attendance at work is a requirement of this position; any and all absences must be approved by the immediate supervisor.

CSIU PROPERTY AND CONFIDENTIALITY REQUIREMENTS: 

1. All property, including intellectual property, materials, equipment or actual products and services developed or accrued as part of the job duties and responsibilities listed above, is the property of the CSIU. It may not be used for personal profit or gain and will be relinquished to the CSIU upon termination of employment from the CSIU.
2. The person employed in this position shall maintain confidentiality with regard to the personal and private information about clients and coworkers, programs and services and any other proprietary information accrued as a result of CSIU employment or as required by state or federal laws and regulations.
3. The person employed in this position must adhere to all requirements identified in the code of professionalism entitled “Ambassadors Are Professionals, Too”.

The position holder must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.  It is the responsibility of the employee to inform their supervisor and the Director of Human Resources of the need for any accommodations that may be required.