(Seguin) — Have you ever wondered what it’s like to sit in the driver’s seat of a big yellow school bus? Well, now’s your chance to find out. The Seguin ISD is inviting the community to buckle up and take the wheel during a one-of-a-kind “Ride & Drive” hiring event happening this Tuesday in the Seguin Coliseum Parking lot.
Emily Allen, Seguin ISD director of communications, says the district’s “Ride & Drive” experience invites potential applicants to take a spin in hopes of discovering whether a career in student transportation is the right fit for them.
“We’re really inviting people in our community to come and try their hand at driving a bus in the safety of the Seguin Coliseum parking lot. We will have a couple of buses they can try. We will have bus trainers to help them because we know that even though people for the most part drive every day, driving a bus is very different from driving your car. This is a really great opportunity to try something that might seem a little daunting but maybe isn’t and try it in a safe place,” said Allen.
Allen says being a bus driver can be either a career change or simply part-time work. She says it not only aligns with their child’s school schedule, but it offers plenty of benefits.
“Come help us out at the school district. It’s a great chance for people who might be looking to pick up a little extra work, if they are retired, if they are stay at home parents or anything like that and as long as they have a clean driving history, a clean criminal record – those are two key factors that we are looking for in applicants. We will have laptops on site for you to apply but really, it’s a chance for people to see what driving a bus is really about,” said Allen.
Pay includes $14 during training and $20.70 once licensed. The pay rate increases for those experienced drivers with a valid CDL. All drivers are guaranteed a minimum of 25 hours per week plus health benefits and paid holidays. District officials say the job also offers a family-friendly schedule with holidays and summers off.
The event on Tuesday, however, is not only for job seekers. It’s also open to parents and guardians who want to better understand how Seguin ISD’s transportation system works. Staff will be on hand to explain the Smart Tag system, which tracks students when they get on and off the bus. District officials say the information provided will offer parents peace of mind and improved safety measures.
During the Ride and Drive, job seekers will have the opportunity to apply and interview on site. District transportation staff will be available to answer questions and guide attendees through the process. No prior experience is necessary. Again, the district provides paid training and will work with candidates to prepare them to pass both the written and driving portions of the CDL test.
The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Coliseum. The Coliseum is located at 950 S. Austin St.