Human Resources announces a vacancy for Cluster Swing Driver; full-time (8-hours per day),Grade D-12 position with the
Transportation Office. This position will assist the Cluster Lead Driver in daily supervision of the personnel and resources of the
cluster on an as-assigned or as-needed basis – this may include serving in place of the Cluster Lead Driver, and regularly serves as
a Bus Driver within the cluster of assignment by substituting for an absent Bus Driver; is not typically assigned to a regular route/run.
This position will help the Cluster Lead Driver supervise all Bus Drivers, Bus Attendants and other personnel regularly assigned to
the cluster, as well as temporarily assigned personnel, to ensure that all routes and runs of the cluster are made safely, timely,
effectively and efficiently, that cluster operations adhere to on-road and off-road requirements and procedures (including the rules of
the road, pre-trip and post-trip operator checks and services, and proper ‘bus-keeping’), and that cluster transport of students
supports instructional operations; focus is on daily operational matters.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CLASS (May not include all duties performed.) Assists the Cluster Lead Driver: Stays abreast
of developments directly affecting APS school bus transportation operations of the cluster, including but not limited to
driver/attendant licensing or training requirements; basic vehicle/fleet data; basic road network data; and standards and issues
emanating from APS principals at the schools served; and other sources and issues (such as complaints). Uses this information in
support of tasks assigned by the Cluster Lead Driver and when serving as fill-in supervisor. Keeps abreast of driving and training
records of personnel assigned to the cluster. As assigned, observes Bus Driver and Bus Attendant performance in the field,
including stationary locations; conducts ride-along check-ups; notes compliance with safety and vehicle operation
requirements/standards, the rules of the road, driving habits, defensive driving techniques, special equipment operation, student
service orientation, driver-attendant teamwork, etc. As assigned, identifies group and individual training needs and coordinates
response with Driver Training; and conducts behind-the-wheel training of Bus Drivers and in-bus training of Bus Attendants as
opportunities or individual needs arise – demonstrates proper techniques, critiques driver/attendant performance in terms of
knowledge/skills exhibited, etc. As assigned, may use pertinent modules of planning/scheduling software (currently edulog) to help
ensure complete coverage of cluster by appropriate vehicles and proper vehicle staffing. As assigned, helps ensures cluster
operations at the bus lot adhere to pre-trip and post-trip procedures of all types – operator level checks and services, ‘bus-keeping’,
etc.
As assigned, responds to traffic accidents and serious incidents (known or alleged misbehavior by subordinates, passengers,
parents, etc.); assesses situation; coordinates on-scene and by radio; takes immediate action, as appropriate to procedures and the
situation; and reports (to Transportation Services). Collects or forwards traffic accident report forms and bus incident report forms,
and maintains associated records. As assigned, prepares or collects and maintains or forwards associated documentation, such as
attendance sheets and training logs. Performs related assistance duties. Serves in place of the Cluster Lead Driver: When serving
in place of the Cluster Lead Driver, ensures that all routes and runs of the cluster are made safely, timely, effectively and efficiently;
maintains radio contact with assigned drivers, Dispatch and schools served; updates drivers on ‘environmental conditions’ (such as
weather, traffic, etc.), special requirements, etc.; provides written and/or oral instructions to temporarily assigned personnel; provides
special instructions, as deemed necessary; and performs related communication-information functions, all as deemed necessary or
as required by established procedures. Serves as a Bus Driver: Regularly drives a school bus to transport students, typically as a
substitute within the cluster of assignment. Drives bus on designated routes picking up and dropping off students as scheduled.
Performs daily safety checks on bus and bus components including inspection of tires, lights, fuel level, oil level, and windshield
wipers. Regulates heating and ventilating equipment provided on bus for comfort of the passengers. Picks-up and drops off student
passengers. Ensures that bus is clean; reports defective equipment and ensures timely repair. Completes daily and monthly
operations reports indicating times, numbers of students, mileage, and routes. Other: May operate a sedan or pick-up truck to get
to field locations to board a bus, observe a bus in operation from the road, a bus stop or other fixed location, etc. Uses a computer,
radio and telecommunications devices for various operational functions – planning, scheduling, communicating, (light) word
processing, researching (Internet), etc. Uses authorized modules of route planning and scheduling software (currently edulog) to
obtain information about routes/runs, enter and access licensing/training data, etc.; software usage is mostly in the forms of
straightforward look-ups and data entry. May act as, or for, the Transportation Operations Manager, as assigned. Performs related
duties, as assigned.
EXPERIENCE:
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Preference will be given to current APS School Bus Drivers who meet the
qualifications requirement of the assignment. Knowledge of, and skill in, helping supervise people and resources in the effective
provision of student transport (bus routes and runs) in support of instructional operations, cluster-wide; or ability to rapidly acquire
such knowledge/skill. Knowledge of school bus transportation needs of regular and special education students (including students
with special transport needs) and bus transportation operations (such as routing, dispatching, operator level checks and services,
safe bus operation and student safety) to help supervise day-to-day K-12 student transport operations of the cluster of assignment.
Knowledge of, or ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of, key Federal and State regulations, Arlington School Board policies, and
APS PIPs, initiatives, guidelines and standards applying to K-12 student transport as they pertain to daily work of School Bus Drivers
and Bus Attendants. These include but are not limited to knowledge of baseline requirements for transportation accessibility, traffic
laws, basic motor vehicle operation regulations and the rules of the road, state/local bus driver/attendant training
requirements/objectives, school bus operator level checks (such as pre-trip and post-trip inspections) and services, and emergency
procedures for School Bus Drivers/Bus Attendants, altogether, in sufficient breadth and depth to help the Cluster Lead Driver
supervise student transport operations of the cluster in adherence to core requirements, standards, policies and procedures for safe,
timely, effective and efficient student transport. Knowledge of, or ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of, road networks, traffic
patterns, locations of schools (and key transport-related factors linked to them) and related geographic and demographic information
pertinent to transport of K-12 (and younger) students in Arlington County, altogether, in sufficient breadth and depth to help
supervise cluster transport operations and to serve as a substitute driver in the cluster. Journey level skill in operation of passenger
buses exceeding 15 occupants (including the driver), with air brakes, and in operation of appurtenances (including but not limited to
those designed for disabled passengers), to help assess driving of Bus Drivers, help assess driver training needs, help coordinate
training with driver training, provide performance improvement and ‘opportunity’ training, as assigned, and to serve as a Bus Driver.
Skill in problem solving to select, organize and logically process relevant information (verbal, numerical or abstract) to solve a
problem. This includes ability to recognize subtle aspects of problems, identify relevant information and make balanced
recommendations and decisions. Examples include helping the Cluster Lead Driver: ensure complete coverage of cluster operations
daily; assess adherence of cluster personnel to off-road procedures and requirements (such as operator checks and services and
‘bus-keeping’); assess individual training needs; coordinate or provide appropriate training in response; and resolve principal/parent
complaints about bus transport operation of the cluster or refer them to higher echelons, with input, for resolution. Skill in written
communication to understand written information (including instructions, descriptions and ideas), and to express such information in
writing so that others will understand. Examples include reading technical manuals, accident/incident reports, and routine
correspondence; and writing accident/incident reports, routine correspondence, etc. Skill in oral communication to understand verbal
information (including instructions, descriptions and ideas), and to express such information verbally to diverse audiences so they will
understand. This includes skill in giving clear, complete and concise instructions to Bus Drivers and Bus Attendants; speaking with
student passengers, parents and school personnel about bus service provided; and the ability to listen ‘actively’ and encourage
effective oral communication by others, such as complainants and subordinates. Interpersonal skills to interact with contacts in a
businesslike, customer service-oriented manner by establishing and maintaining effective working relationships and working in
harmony with supervisors, staff, students and the general public. Skill in using a computer, modern office suite software (such as MS
Office), and radio and telecommunications devices to plan, schedule, communicate, word process (light word processing only),
research (Internet), etc. Ability and willingness to work as a Bus Driver, however needed, which may include split shifts and
evenings/nights.
QUALIFICATIONS:
MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: High school diploma or Certificate of General
Educational Development (GED); or an equivalent combination of education, experience and training, and three years of
progressively responsible experience in bus transport operations, including two years as a journey level driver of passenger buses
requiring a Class B CDL with air brake endorsement and substantive experience in helping lead daily operations of cluster (or
equivalent education, experience or training demonstrating ability to serve as Cluster Swing Driver), are required. Experience
working with people of diverse backgrounds and tailoring and delivering work products and services to meet the needs of diverse
groups is required. Experience using knowledge of Arlington County road networks, neighborhoods, school boundaries and other
local information directly related to effective transport of K-12 students is desired at the time of placement into this position.
LICENSE/CERTIFICATION: A Class B Commercial Drivers License (CDL), with passenger bus endorsement, air brake
endorsement and school bus endorsement, is required after placement in the position in accordance with established procedures.
These requirements are subject to change by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, or other authority, and are immediately
effective upon change. Related requirements include but are not limited to; having and maintaining negative test results for alcohol
and controlled substance use and Possession of a satisfactory driving record that shows that: within the preceding five (5) years, the
driver has not been convicted of a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances (or a comparable or
stronger infraction, such as driving while intoxicated); has not been convicted of a felony, or has not been assigned to any alcohol
safety action program or driver alcohol rehabilitation program, and within the preceding twelve (12) months, the driver has not been
convicted of two (2) or more moving traffic violations or has not been required to attend a driver improvement clinic by the
Commissioner, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, or any other authority in the Commonwealth, or to attend a comparable
regimen by comparable authority in another licensing jurisdiction.
SALARY
- Salary range: based on the 26/27 pay plan.
Arlington Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of the Arlington School Board, as stated in Policy G-2.30, Employee Relations – Equal Employment Opportunity - that “Employment opportunities shall not be restricted, abridged or otherwise adversely affected on the basis of race, national origin, creed, color, religion, gender, age, economic status, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, and/or disability.”
