School Bus Driver

The West County Transportation Agency is a Joint Powers Agency formed of seventeen school districts
in Western Sonoma County. Our primary responsibility is to provide cooperative, centralized, cost
efficient, safe, and child-centered school transportation to the students of these school districts.

School bus drivers work a minimum of four hours per day on a split shift, bringing students to school in
the morning and taking them home in the afternoon. Drivers work only when students are in school and
school is in session (typically 180 days per year). Extra work is available by driving field trips,
substituting on mid-day routes, and summer school. We have regular route and stand-by positions
available.

Starting salary is $18.31 per hour. Excellent health, dental, and vision benefits for the employee and
dependents are available and are prorated for employees working less than six hours per day. The Agency
pays for a $50,000 life insurance policy for employees only.

Currently certified drivers, who are hired, will be paid a $500 sign-on bonus with their first payroll check
and $500 with the completion of employment at six months with the Agency.

Interested persons should apply as soon as possible at the West County Transportation Agency facility.
Applications consist of an application form, and a recent copy of your 10-year (H-6) DMV print-out is
mandatory. Resumes, letters of recommendation, or any other supporting documentation may accompany
the application.

WEST COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AGENCY GENERAL INFORMATION FOR EMPLOYMENT APPLICANTS

EMPLOYMENT PROCEDURES:

Application forms must be received in the Business Office no later than the announced
time on the announced closing date for filing. WCTA application forms must be used.
Resumes or other application forms will not be considered as applications for Agency
positions. Applicants must meet the qualifications as specified on the announcement in
order to be considered eligible to complete the written, oral, or practical examination.

DRUG TESTING:

All prospective employees must pass a pre-employment drug test. On-going drug and
alcohol testing is performed on a random basis after employment and after accidents. In
November 2016, California voted to allow the recreational use of marijuana. Although
this is legal, it is still illegal for commercial drivers to use this substance. Experts report
that THC, the drug that is present in marijuana and tested, stays in a person’s system for
up to 90 days or longer.

FINGERPRINTING:

Fingerprinting is required upon employment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

A physical examination and physical performance test may be required prior to
employment, and an offer of employment is contingent upon successfully passing the
physical. A TB test will be required upon employment. Under some circumstances,
further testing may be required to determine if an applicant is able to perform the
essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

SALARY:

Appointments are normally made at the first step of the announced salary range.
Movement on the salary schedule will occur with successful employment with the
Agency on an annual basis.

VACATION

For bargaining unit employees: twelve (12) days a year during the first five (5) years of
service; eighteen (18) days a year after five (5) years of service; and twenty-four (24)
days a year for employees over fifteen (15) years of service, pro-rated for part-time or 10-
month employees. For management and confidential employees: fifteen (15) days a year
during the first five (5) years of service; twenty (20) days per year after five (5) years of
service; and twenty-five (25) days per year after eleven (11) years of service; also prorated for part-time or 10-month employees.

SICK LEAVE:

Twelve (12) days per year with no limit on accumulation; pro-rated for part-time or 10-
month employees.

HOLIDAYS:

Twelve (12) paid holidays per year for full-time employees. Part-time or 10-month
employees are eligible for paid holidays per the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

INSURANCE:

Full Health, Dental, and Vision care plans are available for employee and dependents.
Part-time or 10-month employees will be prorated. Employees may be required to pay a
portion of the premium. Insurance coverage begins with the nearest billing period we can
add you to our covered list, and is never more than one month after you are hired.

RETIREMENT PLAN:

Permanent full-time and part-time employees are required to participate in the Public
Employees Retirement System of California and also contribute to Social Security.

CREDIT UNION:

Credit Union Membership is available to all employees.

PAYDAY:

All permanent full-time and part-time employees are paid once a month, usually the last
working day of the month. Extra or overtime work, above the regular contract, is paid on
a secondary payroll on the tenth of each month.

UNION REPRESENTATION:

All employees, except management and confidential, are required to apply for
membership with the California School Employees Association within thirty (30) days of
employment. Dues are deducted monthly from your paycheck. There is no initiation fee.

PROBATION:

All employees are subject to a 180 work day probationary period.

WEST COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AGENCY CLASS TITLE: SCHOOL BUS DRIVER

DEFINITION:

Under general supervision, to operate a school bus over designated routes to
transport school children, to assist in the general cleaning and servicing of
school buses and do related work as required.

DUTIES:

1. Drive a school bus daily or as assigned over designated routes in
accordance with time schedules, picking up and delivering school
children, and adherence to all applicable laws or procedures of the State
of California or the State Department of Education.
2. Escorts children across streets when necessary, stopping traffic as
required, with care towards student safety.
3. Transports students and teachers on special trips to various locations,
choosing the best route and making departure and arrival times as
scheduled.
4. Inspects bus prior to operation as required by law for safety purposes.
5. Maintains good order among the school children on buses and while the
bus is parked at bus stops. Contacting parents, students, and
administrators as required by policy to deal with all discipline problems.
6. Follows all Agency policies regarding student control and contact with
parents and citizens.
7. Renders first aid and/or emergency assistance as needed.
8. Maintains daily records on assigned route and bus operation.
9. Cleans and services assigned bus as per Agency policy.
10. Follows all associated or related Agency policy.
11. Attends and participates in required in-service instruction.
12. Stand-by drivers, in addition, will perform any assigned minor clerical
or custodial functions when not driving.

LICENSE:

Possession of an appropriate California Operator’s License issued by the
State Department of Motor Vehicles, Medical Certificates, California Special
Driver Certificate valid to operate a School Bus, and a Red Cross (or other
acceptable) first aid certificate, if required.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

KNOWLEDGE OF:

1. Safe driving practices
2. All applicable provisions of the California Motor Vehicle Code and
Education Code.
3. All provisions of HPH 82.7, School Bus Driver’s and Carrier’s
Handbook.
4. All related laws and regulations regarding the safe transportation of
school students.

ABILITY TO:

1. Drive a school bus safely and efficiently.
2. Service, fuel, and clean a school bus.
3. Maintain good order among children on a school bus.
4. Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
5. Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those
contacted in the course of work.
6. Read and speak English at a level required to satisfactorily perform job.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. High School Diploma or G.E.D.
WEST COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AGENCY BUS DRIVER

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS POSITION

Terms used in this section are defined as follows:
Rarely 1-10%
Occasionally 11-33%
Frequently 34-66%
Continuously 67-100%
….of the work day

Sitting: Continuously
Standing: Occasionally
Walking: Frequently
Waist Bending: Frequently
Neck Bending: Frequently
Squatting: Frequently
Climbing: Frequently
Kneeling: Frequently
Crawling: Rarely
Neck Twisting: Continuously
Waist Twisting: Frequently
Pushing/Pulling: Frequently up to 40 to 60 lbs of force

Reaching
Above Shoulder: Frequently
Below Shoulder: Frequently
Full Extension: Must be able to reach with full extension 3 feet in any direction to attach
wheelchair harnesses or seat belts

Lifting
0-10 lbs: Occasionally: weight up to 100 feet at a time
11-25 lbs: Occasionally: weight up to 100 feet at a time
26-75 lbs: Rarely to move children in event of emergency

Hand Activities
Repetitive Hand Use: Frequently
Simple Grasping: Continuously
Power Grasping: Frequently
Fine Manipulation: Rarely
Hand/Arm – Twisting/Turning: Frequently
Computer Operation/Writing: Rarely

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

West County Transportation Agency is a local government cooperative agency (joint powers
agreement). All government employees in California are required to be disaster service workers.
Disaster service workers means that during times of war or natural disaster, you can be pressed
into service in the local community performing duties that are of a critical nature and required by
your supervisors at work.

WEST COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AGENCY
FACT SHEET FOR SCHOOL BUS DRIVER APPLICANTS

The following items are presented for your information as an applicant for a school bus driver position:
1. You should be a person who enjoys the challenge of working with students of all ages, and you
should enjoy driving.
2. School bus driving jobs are generally part-time; although, we do have several drivers who work
as much as eight (8) hours per day. As a new driver, you are guaranteed a minimum of four (4)
hours per day. Extra work is available by driving field trips, and substituting on mid-day routes.
There are also work opportunities available during the summer, winter, and spring vacations.
WCTA employees are not eligible for unemployment benefits during the time the students are not
in school.
3. Starting wage is $17.10 per hour.
4. Medical, dental, and vision care plans are available for the employee and dependents, but the
employer payment is pro-rated for drivers working four (4) to six (6) hours per day. Employer
pays up to the cap amount for employee and dependent coverage year-round for those working
six (6) or more hours per day. There is currently a cap of $1,280.45 per month. Supplemental
insurance coverages are available at your cost through AFLAC.
5. Approximately seven (7) percent of your wages are deducted for CalPERS (California Public
Employees Retirement System), and the Agency makes a contribution that is nearly double that
amount into your account.
6. WCTA will pay for the necessary pre-employment physical examination, mandatory preemployment drug screening, and fingerprinting.
7. Currently certified school bus drivers who are hired, will be paid a $500 sign-on bonus with their
first payroll check and $500 at the completion of six (6) months of employment with the Agency.
8. If you are a new trainee, the training program consists of a classroom portion for which the days
and times will be set, and a behind-the-wheel program that will be scheduled individually with
each trainee. The Agency will pay up to $400 for each milestone that is met totaling $2,000. The
Agency will pay for the application for the special school bus certificate at the California
Highway Patrol, which is $67 (including fingerprint/criminal record screening). The Agency will
also pay for the DMV Class B permit, which is $73. Do not count on beginning work
immediately; training generally takes two (2) or three (3) months. Trainees that are trained over
the summer do not start work until the start of school in August.
9. Although California voted to allow the recreational use of marijuana in November 2016, it is not
legal for commercial drivers to use the substance. As noted above, we perform a pre-employment
drug test. Experts report that THC, the drug that is present in marijuana and tested, stays in a
person’s system for up to 90 days and maybe longer.

See PDF application at our website to apply.