Department: Safety Education

Job Title: Safety Education & Training Specialist

Position Type: Full-time

 

Job Goal:

To support the ESC mission through the implementation and delivery of Safety Education and Training programs, with primary responsibility for School Bus Driver Training and related transportation safety initiatives. This position provides training, technical assistance, and program support to school bus drivers and transportation personnel throughout Region 6; supports the School Bus Safety Training 101 TxDOT Grant, Commercial Driver License (CDL), and Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) programs; and assists with additional school safety programs and initiatives of the Safety Education and Training department.

 

 

Qualifications:

• Current Class B Commercial Driver License (CDL) with Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements required
• Current Texas School Bus Driver Training Instructor Certification
• Minimum of three years of experience in school transportation and/or school bus safety training
• Experience operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) requiring a CDL
• Experience providing behind-the-wheel (BTW) CMV instruction or training preferred
• Must meet applicable federal and state qualification requirements for assigned CMV and Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) instructional responsibilities
• Ability and willingness to meet Texas Department of Public Safety requirements to become a certified CDL Third Party Examiner
• Must maintain a safe driving record

 

Special Knowledge & Skills:

• High degree of professionalism and strong interpersonal and public relations skills
• Strong instructional delivery, presentation, and classroom management skills, including the ability to effectively train adult learners
• Knowledge of public-school transportation operations, Texas school bus driver requirements, transportation safety practices, and applicable traffic laws
• Knowledge of Texas CDL and ELDT requirements, including applicable state and federal regulations and Training Provider Registry (TPR) processes
• Knowledge of documentation, recordkeeping, and compliance requirements related to school bus driver training, ELDT, CDL training, and testing
• Strong interpersonal, communication, collaboration, and public relations skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with instructors, ESC staff, school district personnel, state agencies, and other stakeholders
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision and effectively use technology, software, equipment, and instructional tools
• Willingness and ability to obtain additional certifications and develop knowledge and skills related to CDL testing, transportation safety, school safety, and other assigned program areas
• Ability to set up, operate, transport, and maintain the school bus simulator and related equipment
• Ability to safely operate school buses, commercial motor vehicles, and other equipment necessary to perform assigned duties

 

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

• Work collaboratively with Safety Education and Training staff to provide School Bus Driver Training and transportation safety programs throughout Region 6
• Teach assigned 20-Hour School Bus Driver Certification and 8-Hour School Bus Driver Recertification courses in accordance with applicable state requirements and approved curriculum
• Provide effective classroom and hands-on instruction and collaborate with other instructors to ensure consistency in curriculum, instructional delivery, training expectations, and required documentation
• Assist with the scheduling, registration, promotion, delivery, and follow-up of school bus driver certification and recertification courses
• Assist with school bus driver certification records and the preparation, issuance, replacement, or correction of certification cards, as needed
• Collaborate with school district transportation personnel to identify training needs and provide training and technical assistance related to transportation safety, student management, special needs transportation, emergency procedures, CDL, ELDT, and other transportation requirements
• Assist with the development and implementation of School Bus Safety Training 101 workshops and other TxDOT grant activities in accordance with grant requirements and program objectives
• Organize and facilitate in-person and virtual training opportunities and assist with the development and maintenance of instructional materials and resources
• Operate and share responsibility for maintaining the school bus simulator trailer, simulator equipment, software, and related training resources
• Participate in Transportation Department Audits, Route Audits, and other transportation safety initiatives as assigned
• Support CDL and ELDT programs, including theory instruction and behind-the-wheel (BTW) range and public road training, vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control skills, and other training activities as assigned
• Meet applicable ELDT instructor qualification requirements and work toward meeting Texas Department of Public Safety requirements to become a certified CDL Third Party Examiner
• Upon certification as a CDL Third Party Examiner, administer CDL skills tests in accordance with applicable Texas DPS and federal requirements, ESC procedures, and testing protocols
• Maintain accurate and complete records for school bus driver training, ELDT, CDL training and testing, and other assigned programs in accordance with applicable requirements and ESC procedures
• Enter, verify, maintain, and submit required training information in applicable state and federal systems, databases, learning management systems, the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, and ESC records, as assigned
• Maintain required documentation related to CDL training and testing and ensure records are complete, accurate, properly retained, and available for monitoring, audit, reporting, and compliance purposes
• Assist Safety Education and Training staff with school safety programs, training, technical assistance, audits, reviews, and regional initiatives as assigned
• Develop working knowledge of applicable school safety requirements, processes, systems, and resources to support ESC staff and school districts
• Assist with program outreach, equipment, training materials, supplies, and inventory
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, guidance, and best practices related to assigned program areas
• Collaborate with ESC personnel, school districts, state agencies, and other partners to support regional and statewide safety initiatives
• Perform additional duties as assigned in support of Safety Education and Training programs

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Equipment used:

• Standard office equipment, including computer and peripherals
• School buses and commercial motor vehicles
• School bus simulator and simulator trailer
• Betty the Bus educational robot
• Training, presentation, and audiovisual equipment
• Other equipment necessary to perform assigned job responsibilities 

Working Environment:

• Posture: Prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
• Motion: Repetitive hand motions, including frequent keyboarding and use of a mouse; occasional reaching
• Lifting: Frequent lifting and carrying of training materials, supplies, and equipment; occasional lifting and moving of heavier equipment with assistance as needed
• Environment: May work be extended or irregular hours
• Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress
• Frequent travel throughout the Region 6 service area and occasional travel outside the region
• May require prolonged or irregular work hours, including early mornings, evenings, and occasional weekends
• Work may be performed in offices, classrooms, school transportation facilities, school buses, commercial motor vehicles, outdoor training areas, and other training locations
• Ability to adapt to varying environmental and working conditions at presentation and training sites