D26/27 Cluster Lead Driver (Transportation)

Human Resources announces an opening for 1.0 Cluster Lead Driver; 12-months, Grade E-08 position located at the

Transportation Services Office. Cluster Lead Driver supervises all Bus Drivers, Bus Attendants and other personnel

regularly assigned to the cluster, as well as temporarily assigned on-road personnel, to ensure that all routes and runs of

the cluster are made safely, timely, effectively and efficiently. RESPONSIBILITIES:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CLASS (May not include all duties performed): Recommends hiring of, and other personnel

actions concerning, the Bus Drivers and Bus Attendants assigned to the cluster; trains, assigns, reviews and evaluates the work of

employee(s), and performs related supervisory functions; Uses pertinent modules of planning/scheduling software (currently edulog)

to ensure complete coverage of cluster by appropriate vehicles and proper vehicle staffing. 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. Maintains radio

contact with assigned Bus 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; and performs related communication-information functions, all as deemed necessary or as required by established

procedures. Prepares or collects and maintains or forwards associated documentation, such as attendance sheets and training logs.

Keeps abreast of driving and training records of personnel assigned to the cluster. Observes Bus Driver and Bus Attendant

performance in the field, aboard bus and from fix ground 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, Bus Driver-Bus Attendant teamwork, etc. Identifies group and individual training needs and

coordinates response with Driver Training. 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. 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). Notes impact and takes appropriate action. 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. Drives a school bus to transport students, as needed,

during driver shortages, to maintain own skills, in emergencies, etc. 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 performance 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: Knowledge of, and skill in, supervising 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. This includes knowledge of/skill in supervision at the first-level of supervision to supervise subordinates.

Knowledge of school bus transportation needs of 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 supervise

day-to-day K-12 student transport operations of the cluster of assignment. Knowledge of, or ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of,

baseline aspects 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 Bus Drivers and Bus Attendants. These include but are

not limited to knowledge of baseline Federal requirements and standards governing transportation accessibility, APS PIP 50.5-1

(Pupil Transportation), transportation issues related to support of students with special needs under APS PIP 25-4.4 (Special

Education Programs and Services), applicable CDL permit requirements, 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 Bus Drivers/Bus Attendants, altogether, in sufficient

breadth and depth to ensure that student transport operations of the cluster adhere to core Federal and Virginia requirements and

standards and specific APS and Transportation Services 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 supervise daily cluster transport operations.

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 assess driving of Bus Drivers, assess driver

training needs, coordinate training with Driver Training, provide performance improvement and 'opportunity' training, serve as a Bus

Driver and perform related functions. 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 ensuring complete coverage of cluster operations daily;

assessing adherence of cluster personnel to on-road and off-road procedures and requirements (such as operator checks and

services and 'bus-keeping'); assessing individual training needs; coordinating or providing appropriate training in response; resolving

principal/parent complaints about student transport operations of the cluster or referring them to higher echelons, with input, for

resolution; and coaching and counseling subordinates. 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, administrative program materials (such HR and EEO publications), accident/incident reports, and routine

correspondence; and writing accident/incident reports, personnel management information (such as performance evaluation

comments), 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 subordinates, conducting training by using various verbal and non-verbal

communication techniques to facilitate understanding and learning; 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. This includes basic skill in using transportation routing/planning/scheduling software for straightforward operational

purposes, such as information look-ups and data entry. Ability and willingness to work as a Bus Driver, as needed, which may

include split shifts and evenings/nights.

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A high school diploma or Certificate of General

Educational Development (GED) or an equivalent combination of education, experience and training, and four 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 leading journey level bus drivers (or equivalent education,

experience or training demonstrating ability to serve as Cluster Lead Driver with first- level supervisory responsibilities) 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."