Special Needs Monitor

A bus monitor shares responsibility with the driver for the care and safety of students being transported by a district vehicle to and from school. A Special Needs Monitor is responsible for being at work on time every day.

EQUIPMENT USED:

A wide variety of adaptive equipment is used to accommodate special needs students to include wheel chairs, safety vests, car seats, etc. It is necessary for bus monitors to be familiar with the design and operating procedures of this special equipment, as well as, knowing how to conduct equipment inspections and make simple “field adjustments” during breakdowns to include wheelchairs, wheelchair lifts.

• Assist students in loading and unloading the bus.

• Provide emergency assistance to special students as needed.

• Monitor on a district vehicle for extracurricular activities as needed.

• Identify by name all of the students who ride the vehicle.

• Be aware of all student’s disabilities and special needs. Any medical problems experienced by the students while being transported, must be reported by the driver and/or monitor to the campus nurse. Followed up with a written report.

• Adjust to different assignments daily.

• Document and report inappropriate and unacceptable behavior.

• Comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) to assure student records, behavior and readership confidentiality.

• Maintain and update student records on a timely basis.

• Recognize evidence of abuse and neglect and report in accordance with District Policy.

• Maintain accurate time checks and student counts as required.

• Assist the bus driver with route directions and student management.

• Use a First Aide/Bio-Kit as required. May be exposed to bodily fluids and other contagions.

• Cooperate with supervisory staff in all phases of emergency procedures.

• Report all accidents, vehicle damage, and student injuries, and complete required reports.

• Physically access and operate all emergency equipment and emergency exits, including front, rear, and side emergency doors, roof hatches, and emergency windows.

• Assist passengers regardless of location in the vehicle.

• Evacuate the district vehicle from any emergency exit safely and in a timely manner.

• Must pass randomly administered drug and alcohol tests (a refusal for drug and or alcohol test will be considered an automatic positive).

• Regular attendance.

• Other duties as assigned.

Education/Certification:

• None

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Ability to operate safety equipment and adaptive equipment on district vehicles in a safe and effective manner
• Capable of assessing situations in emergencies quickly and reacting with necessary measures for the protection and well-being of special needs children
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions in English
• Ability to effectively communicate with Special Needs students, parents and school personnel
• Ability to manage students in a safe and appropriate transportation environment
• Ability to work well with all children and young adults

Physical Requirements/Demands:

• Walking - move about on foot
• Carrying - transporting an object by hand
• Crouching - bending the body downward and forward by bending the knees and spine
• Climbing - ascending and descending stairs
• Lifting – Frequent heavy lifting (45 pounds or over) and positioning of students with physical disabilities, assisting non-ambulatory students, and lifting and moving adaptive equipment (wheelchairs, car seats, safety vests, etc.)
• Kneeling - bending legs at the knees to come to rest on the knees
• Pulling - able to exert force upon an object so the object moves toward the force (including jerking)
• Pushing - exerting force upon an object so the object moves away from the force
• Reaching - ability to extend hands and arms in any direction
• Bending - ability to move at the waist downward and upward with reasonable mobility
• Work outside and inside, moderate exposure to extreme temperatures (hot) and vehicle emissions
• Responsible for the loading/unloading various equipment (wheelchairs, car seats, safety vest, etc.)
• Assist students on/off the bus and into different types of adaptive equipment and or seat
• An applicant may be required to perform any or all of the above listed physical requirements. These physical requirements may constitute 25% of the employee’s daily functions.

Mental Demands/ Environment Factors:

Maintain emotional control under stress. Occasional district travel; Heavy lifting. Work inside and outside (exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather); exposure to noise and vehicle fumes; exposure to biological hazards (bacteria, communicable diseases); work around vehicles and machinery with moving parts; may work irregular or prolonged hours.