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SUSD Drive-and-Sign Bus Driver Recruitment Event Coming Up May 20th
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (May 12, 2023) – Sixty-three bus routes. Fifty-four bus drivers. Nearly 5,000 riders a day. More than 4,000 miles driven daily, Monday through Friday. Field trips. After-school athletics.
For the 2023-2024 school year, Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) is looking to bolster its Transportation ranks with more bus drivers, bus aides and mechanics, and it starts with an event May 20, during which you can find out what it’s like to drive an 84-passenger school bus.
“Literally and figuratively, we drive SUSD’s future,” says SUSD Transportation Department Director David Jacobson. “We feel like our ‘work family’ supports district families in a very significant way. We understand the responsibility and take great pride in ensuring that their students get safely to and from school every day.”
If you’re looking for employment that guarantees 30 hours of work per week with the option for more, pays a competitive wage ($20.16 ‒ $20.97 per hour), includes benefits and has flexible hours with midday, free time for errands, appointments or even nine holes of golf, becoming an SUSD bus driver may be just what you’re looking for. No previous bus driving experience is required. SUSD provides all of the training that will lead to your getting the Commercial Driver License (CDL) that is state-required to drive a school bus.
Some of the district’s drivers have retired from their careers, but work for SUSD to stay engaged in the community. Some want time to pursue other interests, yet still work. And others, like Lori Buster, is an SUSD parent.
“Having kids in SUSD and being on the same calendar and having the same vacations as them, that’s what I like about my job,” says Buster, who drives a special needs bus on most days and trains new drivers behind the wheel and in the classroom. “Nine years ago, I went from driving a ’92 Honda Civic hatchback to driving a 40-foot bus. It’s a little intimidating at first, but it’s actually not all that different.”
“Our trainers are awesome,” adds 21-year driver Gloria Vanderlinde. “They are very patient and will go over the training with you as many times as you need, show you everything and explain it all to you.” That includes, she says, learning how to parallel park a bus, a requirement of the CDL test.
SUSD’s “Test Drive and Hire” event gets underway at 8 a.m., May 20, at Pima Traditional School, 8330 E. Osborn Rd., Scottsdale, and runs until 12 p.m. You’ll be able to fill out an application, get a job interview and take a turn behind the wheel.
“Between drivers, bus aides and mechanics, we have nearly 50 positions we’d like to fill. Starting now gives us a head start on next school year,” says Jacobson. “Families depend on us to get their students to school and home again each day.”
“We’re hoping we find some great candidates at our May 20th event who will join our transportation ‘family’ and help us continue our history of providing outstanding service to the SUSD community.”
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