TITLE:   BUS AIDE

The Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) is a nationally recognized urban school district that serves approximately 22,000 students. With a Head Start program, three preschools, 30 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, and 5 college and career academies/high schools, the district serves a wonderfully diverse mixture of students. A remarkable 62 different languages are spoken in the homes of our students. To serve those students, the district employs approximately 3,650 staff, including more than 1,600 teachers.

The vision of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools is to be one of the Top 10 School Districts in the Nation. Our goal is that "Each student will exit high school prepared for college and careers in a global society, and at every level, performance is on track and on time for success." To help our students achieve this goal, the district is implementing a district-wide initiative called Diploma+.

JOB GOAL:

The job of Bus Aide is done for the purpose/s of providing support within the student transportation services area with specific responsibilities for assisting special education students during transport to and from school and/or special activities; and assisting the bus driver in monitoring students during transport.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assists special education students and other passengers for the purpose of providing safe loading and unloading from buses during normal transport and emergency situations.
• Assists the bus driver in securing students (e.g. wheelchairs, harnesses, etc.) for the purpose of
• Ensuring the safety and well-being of students.
• Monitors students with special needs until released to teacher, instructional assistant, parent, etc. (e.g. behavioral of students, physical conditions, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the safe transportation of all passengers.
• Reports observations and/or incidents for the purpose of communicating information to the driver and/or appropriate personnel for their action.
• Be at your assigned bus at least 10 minutes before the “leave garage” time in the AM, ½ hour before school dismissal at noon and in the PM. Check with the driver of the bus you are assigned to for those times.
• Be familiar with all bus equipment and proper usage of the equipment (Ex: harnesses, wheelchairs, seatbelts, seatbelt cutter, radio, wheel chair lift, etc)
• Bus aides should assist the driver as needed in hooking up wheelchairs, harnesses, etc. It is the primary responsibility of the driver and parent/teacher (para) to hook up wheelchairs.  The parent/teacher must assist in case there is not an aide present on the bus.  The aide is to assist as needed to expedite the hookup procedure.  Harnesses should be hooked up by the parent/teacher but aides should assist to speed up this process.  There are not aides on all buses.  Parents/teachers should not get used to someone being there to do this for them.  Help them but don’t do it for them.
• Assist the driver in monitoring the behaviors of students on the bus. The driver is in charge of discipline but the aide should keep the driver informed of behaviors needing to be addressed by the driver.  You may be asked to document behaviors if necessary as requested by the office, school or driver.  You must remain alert at all times while on the bus; you never know when something might happen.
• Monitor conditions of assigned students. Perform necessary procedures specific to assigned students. (Ex: clearing tracks, watching for seizures, head positioning, etc.)
• Drivers/Aides should not lift or transfer students without prior authorization except for an emergency situation. Parents/Teachers are trained to lift and move students correctly, we are not.  You could injure a child by moving them incorrectly.
• Aides should be familiar with routes, bus radios, and specific information helpful to sub drivers or if needed in an emergency situation.
• Questions on duties and assignments should be directed to Station #20.
• Other duties as assigned.

COMMUNICATION / ORGANIZATION

Maintains communication with school personnel, and parents/guardians to enhance cooperative action which will meet the educational needs of students.

Utilizes existing technology effectively in the performance of duties.

Performs other related work as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

High School Diploma or equivalent.

Job related experience is desired, but not required.

REASONING ABILITY: 

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.  Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: 

Ability to read and analyze and interpret general professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, staff, parents, students, and the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

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

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, stand and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  The employee must occasionally push items of 50 pounds such as pushing on a bike ore wheelchair, or moving/rearranging furniture.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

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

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud and is a standard acceptable level for this environment. Is directly responsible for students’ safety, work output and well-being.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program; ability to plan and implement lessons based on division and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents and community; ability to speak clear and concisely in written or oral communication.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:         186 Days

SALARY:                                    Based on the KCKPS Salary Schedule.

FLSA STATUS:                            NON-EXEMPT, HOURLY

REPORT TO:                              Director of Transportation                    

EVALUATION:                            Performance of this position will be evaluated in accordance with the Board of Education Policy on evaluation.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.  The individual currently holding this position performs additional duties and additional duties may be assigned.  

Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  KCKPS does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, tenure, disability or any other factors that cannot be lawfully considered in its programs and activities as required by all applicable laws and regulations.

Signatures

This job description has been approved by all levels of management:

Manager _______________________________________________

HR ___________________________________________________

Employee signature below constitutes employee’s understanding of the requirements, essential functions and duties of the position.

Employee _____________________________ Date ____________