Looking for a part-time job with full-time benefits? Becoming a school bus driver may be the answer. Daviess County Public Schools is hosting an event Saturday allowing the public to test drive a school bus and learn more about the job and benefits — including a hire-on bonus — in an effort to recruit candidates.
The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 4801 Frederica Street (the former U.S. Bank building). The event is open to those at least 21 years old or older with a valid driver’s license but is geared toward those who are serious about becoming involved with the transportation department.
Members from the DCPS transportation department will be on site to help answer questions about hours, benefits, and more.
DCPS Director of Transportation Grady Cooper said 24 people showed up to the inaugural event last year.
“It provided us with the opportunity to bring people in who may have been scared to death to drive that big old bus,” Cooper said. “It’s definitely good for recruiting because some of our best people out there are sitting at home thinking, ‘Well, I want to find something that’s rewarding, and I need insurance and benefits, but I don’t know if I could drive that big bus.’ This alleviates that fear and gives them an opportunity to talk to people that are here and are very happy with what we have to offer.”
Cooper said the test drive will be designed to simulate what a driver would actually experience while driving a bus to give them a true feel of what the role is.
“It’s not like we’re going to fake a sweet test that’s going to give them a picture that’s not true,” he said. “We have a few events with cones and we maneuver them through there. They’re going to be on the bus with a Kentucky-certified driver trainer who will be able to guide them through the entire process.”
Cooper said that “in a nutshell” the position offers full-time benefits for a part-time job.
“They’ll have personal insurance, they can pick up a family plan. There’s additional eye coverage and a dental plan. The retirement is it’s the Kentucky state retirement. It’s an exceptional package for a part-time job,” he said.
Cooper added that a new hire starts at $19 an hour, and there’s a $1,000 hire-on bonus if they complete training and work for 6 weeks afterward. He said when he hires a substitute driver, he promises them a 25-hour work week, but they can pick up more hours if they’re interested.
Cooper said DCPS currently has 82 routes but they are “constantly evaluating whether we need to add another one or how we can make them better with a new routing program that we have.”
He is looking to hire at least 20 more people to fill in the substitute driver positions, but said adding 30 would be ideal.
“If that dream comes true, then we have a lot more options that would also include more field trips for the students and opportunities for the drivers to make extra money,” he said. “We’re really looking to fill those ranks and make this a good solid transportation department that can provide everything for the community that we used to provide.”
Cooper touted the environment of the DCPS transportation department as another perk of the job.
“We’ve got a great bunch of drivers and monitors, and it’s like a huge family here,” he said. “It’s a heartfelt, warming atmosphere. I don’t just say that to attract people. I live it every day. I see these people and what they do for each other. Everybody is helping each other out. It’s a good solid environment to work in.”
