Our Hiring and Retention Process

In support of our commitment to safety, we meet or exceed all required federal and state mandates for school bus transportation. The depth of our practice for checking employee criminal backgrounds, motor vehicle records and work history sets us apart from our competitors, both in the work environment we create and in the service we provide.

We use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to hire all driver, monitor, maintenance and office staff employees. This allows us to drive a consistent hiring process that complies with all employment legislation. This also allows us to evaluate our hiring effectiveness and provides us with key metrics to ensure we continually improve our overall recruiting efforts.

Each new candidate must go through our pre-employment qualification screening. We have high expectations for our employees and look for the best to serve your district. We use a third-party vendor, an industry-leading hiring process management and compliance company, to ensure the background checks, drug testing, Department of Transportation (DOT) checks, physicals, driving records and other mandated background information is thoroughly screened to ensure our company acquires the most qualified candidates. Background check requirements include:

• Applicants for driving positions and non-driving safety-sensitive positions, e.g., mechanics and bus assistants undergo medical examinations to ensure they are physically fit for the job for which they have applied.
• Reviewing each applicant and employee’s current motor vehicle report. Applicants and employees in driving positions must meet certain standards for driving records. Driving records for each employee who drives a company vehicle must also be reviewed annually. Driving records may be reviewed more frequently as required by state law or contract. As part of the review, the driving record is signed and dated by a supervisor and the employee.
• Our drug and alcohol-testing program has been created to protect our customers, the public, and our employees. It mandates discipline up to and including termination. This program is intended to comply with all applicable state and federal regulations governing workplace anti-drug and alcohol abuse programs in the transportation industry.
• We obtain criminal background checks to comply with applicable state and federal laws, as well as company policy and district standards.

The following are some of the additional qualifications for employment as a driver with our company:

• At least 21 years old and have had a valid driver’s license for at least three years
• Complete an employment application, including acceptable employment references
• Participate and successfully complete a structured, behavioral-based interview
• Meet required score on the employee safety inventory (ESI)
• Pass any additional state or locally required driver qualification checks (fingerprinting, child check registries, etc.)
• Successfully complete our company’s driver training program
• Satisfactorily pass a behind-the-wheel evaluation by designated evaluators
• Secure a commercial driver’s license with passenger endorsement
• Be properly licensed to operate a school bus in the state of employment

Retaining good employees is critical. Our total compensation program has been designed to retain the current driver workforce and to attract prospective employees. We offer competitive driver wages, health, dental and a 401(k) plan. We also believe in developing our employees to grow with our organization. We believe in recognizing our employees who go above and beyond their job duties with ‘Enjoy the Ride’, a program that rewards those individuals for outstanding performance.

Our Training Process

Our employee training programs prepare our employees to deliver the safest and most reliable service in the student transportation industry. Each department has specific training that focuses on the needs of both external and internal customers. Each employee is expected to pass all required instructional materials and to meet or exceed qualifications as outlined by local, state and federal regulations. Our customer service centers receive unmatched support from a team of safety and training professionals consisting of both regional and corporate resources. New drivers must complete rigorous training courses through classroom and behind-the-wheel training. Dispatchers and monitors are required to pass the driver training classroom curriculum, and if applicable, dispatchers will continue our behind-the-wheel training and CDL licensing for driver certification. Other training programs incorporate mandatory mechanic certification, as well as an incentive for ASE certification. We require all management personnel to attend our annual management training courses taught through our National Express University (NXU) program.

We understand the key to providing safe transportation is to provide great employees. The right attitude, the best training, and most of all, possessing the highest standard of care for the students are critical success factors of our training. Our safety-training program, S.T.A.R., has been developed specifically for us to ensure our customers are provided with the best skilled drivers and monitors. This program emphasizes current safety prevention tactics, proper bus inspections, student management and the extra attention our riders with special needs deserve. Monitors are required to participate in the classroom-training program with emphasis on safety basics, intersection, danger zones and student management. Since many dispatchers began as drivers, those who retain their CDL license are also required to participate in all driver classroom and behind-the-wheel curricula. In order to remain qualified as one of our school bus drivers, all drivers must continue to participate in in-service trainings throughout the year. This can be accomplished through attending mandatory safety meetings, special driver seminars and workshops.