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If you want to make a difference in the lives of kids and are a safe driver, you should become a school bus driver!
We highly encourage drivers with their CDL to apply for our position.
For those without a CDL, the Bainbridge Island School District offers a paid training. When you complete training, you will become a CDL licensed driver and gain the confidence and skills needed to become a valuable member of our Transportation team.
This is a rewarding occupation and an excellent source of supplemental income.
If you have experience driving busses for other public school districts, this experience will count on our wage scale, and CDL licensed drivers on our routes earn $27.57 to $34.90 per hour.
Substitute drivers earn $23.52 per hour in the 2022-2023 school year and, once hired for your own route, the wage will start at $27.57/hour and you will qualify for excellent benefits.
For specific information regarding benefits, please see the "Negotiated Agreements" tab for the Bainbridge Island Educational Service Professional Association collective bargaining agreement, which includes information regarding benefits.
The Details
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How to Apply
Step 1: Prepare your Application Materials
The Bainbridge Island School District requires the following for applicants to our bus driver postions:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Three (3) Confidential References: These are identified through our online application system. The person(s) you list will receive an automatic email from our system to fill out a confidential reference form.
Step 2: Apply Through our Online Application System
Check out this guide for how to create an application in our system. You can also reach out to Kelly Spitz, our Applicant Coordinator, at 206-780-1878 or kspitz@bisd303.org.
To start your application in our system, click this link.
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Qualifications
Our drivers must meet requirements set by the Department of Education, Department of Transportation and the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). They:
- Are licensed for at least 5 years to be a driver
- Are at least 18 years old to be a school bus assistant
- Have had a good driving record for the past 5 years
- Pass a background check
- Drug free
- Are dependable and flexible
- Enjoy working with children
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Paid Training
Initial training will be provided at minimum wage. Once you have been hired as a bus driver, additional hours will be paid at your hourly rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the difference between a substitute driver and a regular driver? Typically, how many hours a week would a sub driver be able to drive?
A regular driver has been assigned a route package. A substitute driver is used to cover shifts when the regular driver cannot drive their route due to other assignments, illnesses, etc. Our substitute drivers are generally pretty busy and are tpyically assigned work most days.
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How many hours a day does a bus driver work? What do drivers do between drop off and pick up?
Our route packages vary between approximately four hours and can be up to eight hours. Routes are assigned by seniority. The time between routes can be filled with other work opportunities in the district. If there is not another job within the district, the time in between is available to the employee (unpaid), and many drivers do odd jobs or use the time to attend to personal matters.
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How long does it typically take for someone to complete training? Please provide a general overview on what is involved.
It typically takes two weeks/3 hours per day of classroom time and on average 100 hours behind the wheel. In addition, one can expect to study independently to prepare for the Commercial Drivers License (CDL) examination (this varies by person).The total time on the calendar averages about 6-8 weeks. In addition, the applicant will need to have a Department of Trasnportation (DOT) physical, drug testing, and allow time for the CDL driving permit prior to driving.
