School Bus Operator

Position Summary
School Bus Operators are a vital part of Pingry’s campus life, providing safe and reliable transportation that allows students to participate fully in the academic, athletic, and extracurricular life of the School. In this role, you will transport students to and from Pingry’s campuses in Basking Ridge, Short Hills, and Pottersville, as well as to off-campus programs, athletic events, field trips, and other school activities.

You will serve as a calm, professional adult presence and help create a safe, respectful experience from the moment students board the bus until they reach their destination. Your attention, judgment, and reliability will directly support the well-being of students and the daily operations of the School.

Reporting directly to the Transportation Manager within the Operations Department, you will collaborate with Transportation colleagues, Athletics, Auxiliary Programs, and other school departments to meet daily and changing transportation needs. Assignments may include daily arrival and departure routes, relief coverage, afternoon athletics transportation, special trips, and occasional weekend work.

We are seeking a dependable, safety-focused professional who communicates clearly, exercises sound judgment, and takes pride in serving students and the broader Pingry community.

You will excel in this role if:

• You place student safety at the center of every decision. You follow established procedures, remain attentive to changing road and weather conditions, and make thoughtful decisions in real time.
• You are dependable and punctual. Students, families, and colleagues can count on you to arrive prepared, maintain schedules, and communicate promptly when circumstances change.
• You remain calm and professional in traffic, during student behavior concerns, and in emergencies. You provide clear directions and respond with patience and sound judgment.
• You build positive relationships while maintaining appropriate expectations and boundaries. You communicate respectfully with students, families, employees, and colleagues.
• You work well independently and as part of a team. You are willing to provide relief coverage, move between assignments, and support transportation needs across departments.
• You notice the details that contribute to a safe trip. You complete required inspections, maintain necessary credentials, and promptly raise vehicle, maintenance, or safety concerns.
• You are comfortable using Google Workspace tools and learning school systems used for scheduling, communication, and daily operations.

Key Responsibilities

Safe Student Transportation:
Safely operate a school bus to transport students to and from Pingry’s campuses and for school-sponsored programs, athletic events, field trips, and other transportation needs. Follow assigned routes, schedules, traffic laws, school policies, and established safety procedures.

Route, Trip, and Schedule Coverage:
Support daily arrival and departure transportation, provide relief coverage during team member absences, and accept special assignments that may include off-campus programming, afternoon athletics, evening events, and occasional weekend trips.

Vehicle Safety and Fleet Support:
Complete required pre-trip and post-trip inspections and documentation, with 30 minutes of compensated time before and after each scheduled trip. Assist the Transportation Manager with fleet maintenance and promptly report vehicle, mechanical, or safety concerns.

Student Care and Communication:
Maintain a safe, orderly, and respectful environment on the bus. Communicate expectations clearly and interact with students, families, employees, and school partners with patience, professionalism, and care.

Emergency Readiness and Judgment:
Respond appropriately to changing road, traffic, weather, schedule, and student safety conditions. Follow Pingry’s emergency procedures and communicate incidents or concerns promptly through the appropriate channels.

Operational Collaboration:
Partner with the Transportation Manager and colleagues across Operations, Athletics, Auxiliary Programs, and other departments to coordinate transportation needs and support the evolving needs of the School’s transportation program.

Honor Code Stewardship:
Model integrity, respect, responsibility, and sound judgment in every interaction. Protect confidential information, follow School policies, and consistently prioritize student safety and well-being.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Class B Commercial Driver License with Passenger and School Bus endorsements before operating a Pingry vehicle.
• Strong driving record supported by a current Motor Vehicle Commission Operator’s Abstract.
• Ability to successfully complete all required criminal background checks and fingerprinting.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification is required. Pingry will support training and certification as needed.
• Demonstrated record of maintaining the licenses, endorsements, certifications, and other credentials required to operate a commercial school vehicle.
• Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to provide clear instructions and communicate professionally with students, families, employees, and colleagues.
• Ability to remain patient and composed in traffic, during student behavior concerns, and in emergency situations.
• Sound judgment and the ability to make timely decisions in response to changing road, weather, schedule, and safety conditions.
• Dependable attendance and punctuality, with a demonstrated ability to follow schedules and help students arrive safely and on time.
• Prior experience working with children, preferably in a school or youth-serving environment.
• Ability to identify and address operational concerns or conflicts proactively and involve the Transportation Manager when appropriate.
• Ability to safely lift up to 50 pounds.
• Experience with Google Workspace, including Gmail and Google Calendar, and the ability to learn web-based systems such as Veracross, Ruvna, and ADP.
• Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, reliability, discretion, and commitment to student safety and well-being.
• Deep commitment to Pingry’s mission, vision, pillars, and DEIB values, along with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse constituencies across the School community and contribute to a culture of equity and belonging.

Qualified candidates are invited to apply online at https://www.pingry.org/careers.

The salary for this position is $30. Final compensation will be determined based on experience and education. 

Pingry offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees, including, but not limited to, medical, dental, and vision coverage; retirement plans with employer matching; life and disability insurance; tuition remission for employees' children; and access to wellness and professional development resources.

A full list of benefits is available at www.pingry.org/careers.