Bus Driver / Custodian

Division or Department: Administration / Support Staff

Position or Type: Full Time

Reports to: Principal

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Anticipated Start Date: 8/2024

General Description:

This role will be a joint position including responsibilities as a Bus Driver, Custodian, and Gardener. 

The Custodian/Maintenance roles include maintaining an attractive, sanitary, safe facility for students, staff and families, and minimizing property damage, loss and liability exposure to the school.

The Bus Driver role consists of providing safe transportation, in a timely manner, to all eligible students both from home to school and back home.

The Gardener role includes ensuring gardens and yard are maintained as student learning spaces.

Hours of the Custodians/Maintenance staff may fluctuate during the summer hours.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Restroom Duties (10%)

Empty trash cans

Mop and disinfect floors

Clean and disinfect sinks, toilet bowls, mirrors

Check soap, paper towel and tissue dispensers on a daily basis

Spot clean walls and ceiling

Replace lights

Classrooms (10%)

Empty trash cans

Clean window glass

Clean chalkboards on a weekly basis

Dust all ledges

Clean light surfaces

Clean shades

Offices (10%)

Sweep office carpets and floors

Empty trash cans

Dust furniture surfaces and ledges

Clean and dust phones

Dust light fixtures

Hallways (10%)

Clean hallways

Clean and disinfect water fountains

Spot clean walls and A/C covers

Dust all ledges

Replace lights

Clean light fixtures

Clean stairs

Student Transportation (40%)

Has operational knowledge of the Louisiana Components of Effective Teaching and can utilize the knowledge to implement effective programs at the school level in compliance with Title I of the No Child Left Behind Act.

Provides courteous, professional, and prompt services to all internal and external customers including students, parents, co-workers, etc.

Reports regularly and punctually within the time frame established by the Transportation Department.

Safely transports his/her assigned students at each of his/her respective schools.

Notifies the Transportation Department and the principal or designated person of impending absences, tardiness, or mechanical failure or reason.

Secures substitute driver and/or rental bus when needed.

Ensures that other drivers in the event of breakdown cover route and rental bus is not available.

Reports rental bus to the Transportation Department for insurance purposes.

Completes accurately and timely all reports or other papers requested

Conducts two pre-trip inspections daily, keeping trip sheet on the bus ready for reference upon request.

Submits monthly pre-trip inspections sheet in a timely manner.

Accepts and runs additional routes as directed.

Maintains a mechanical safe, neat, and clean vehicle in accordance with federal, state and local regulations.

Accurately records and reports mileage whenever requested to do so or when there is a change in a route.

Notifies parents of any schedule change, such as time and stop location.

Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of state and local laws and local ordinances governing motor vehicle operations.

Notifies administration immediately of all accidents or incidents.

Attends and actively participates in all meetings or in-service training programs as per mandatory requirements.

Maintains an acceptable driving record in private vehicles as well as in the school bus.

Establish proper techniques of passenger management and follow discipline procedures as established by the Louisiana Department of Education (See School Board Behavior Report).

Maintain good public relations with students, parents, and school administrators.

Conform to Louisiana law concerning the safety and welfare of assigned pupils.

Must have physical strength adequate to maneuver the bus passengers.

Job requires long periods of sitting in the same position.

Must be mentally alert at all times while operating the bus.

Total concentration required while driving, loading, and unloading students.

Must be able to perform job duties in both good and inclement weather conditions.

Performs all other duties commensurate with the fulfillment of responsibilities of a school bus driver as assigned by the EPAC Administration and Board.

Any other duties as deemed necessary.

Garden & Yard (20%) 

Routine maintenance of the gardens and yard, and directly assists in garden/yard maintenance 

Carries out daily gardening/yard tasks independently 

Performs and supports horticultural practices that encourage overall plant health and soil nutrition, to include sustainable gardening and integrated pest management practices

Attends bi-weekly walk-throughs with site-based lead garden teachers to assess and maintain garden health, safety, and aesthetics, with the objective of creating a short and long-term to do list

Picks up garden/yard supplies from vendors

Maintains horticultural tools and supplies, and keeps storage spaces organized

Maintains records of work, garden maintenance, and plant health as required

Weeds all garden/yard areas and removes debris from garden

Expectations and Requirements:

Prior experience in custodial / maintenance / bus driver / gardening or a related field

Prior experience in an elementary, middle, or secondary school setting

CDL License Required

High school diploma

Prior farming and/or gardening experience preferred

Acceptable Driving Record (MRV)

Good Character

Successful Completion of Psycho-Psychical examination

Ability to pass pre-employment substance abuse testing.

Successfully pass post employment random alcohol and/or substance abuse testing.

Successful Completion of Annual In-service and Re-Certification by the Louisiana Department of Education.

CDL Physical examination required, including TB test

All policies, rules and regulations must be adhered to in order that students may be transported to and from school safely.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to lIft at least 25 pounds

Ability to walk up and down at least 3 flights of stairs

The ability to bend, twist, stoop, kneel, climb and reach

During the summer, moving furniture, boxes and waxing floors

This is a position that includes all benefits afforded to Louisiana State employees including a choice of one of five Medical benefit plans with options of additional supplemental insurance plans.  Employees receive ample time off surrounding holidays and extended weekends when the school is closed for instruction.  This position also qualifies for participation in the Louisiana State retirement plan.

École Pointe-au-Chien is a free public school based in Pointe-aux-Chênes and governed by an independent state board with a French immersion curriculum consistent with Louisiana state standards and rooted in our local bayou Indian and Cajun French culture. École Pointe-au-Chien opens this fall for grades K and 1st, will add Pre-K and 2nd in school year 2023-24, 3rd grade in 2025-25, and 4th grade in 2025-2026.

We believe in the transformative power of indigenous Louisiana language & culture. We aspire to create an educational community that nurtures and challenges young people to become more curious, kind, empathetic, engaged, and willing to grapple with complex problems in order to create a just, sustainable, and joyful world.

EPAC is committed to developing a quality education for students immersed in French and the traditional culture of their ancestors. Please submit letters of interest with resumé and contact information for three references to ecolepointeauchien@gmail.com.