Bus Driver & Operations Assistant, 2025-26 Academic Year - Heartwood Community School

Hiring for the 2025-26 academic year 

WHO WE ARE

Heartwood Community School is a community-focused, tuition-free charter school serving Jasper, Beaufort, and Hampton Counties in South Carolina. We believe in educating the whole child—nurturing each student academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. Honoring every child's unique journey, we bridge home and school to foster a compassionate, empowering environment where students feel seen and valued.

Our mission goes beyond academics; we guide students to become resilient problem-solvers, compassionate community builders, globally minded citizens, emotionally intelligent leaders, and lifelong learners. Embracing mistakes as part of growth, we equip students to thrive in school and life—ready to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking a mission-driven professional who shares our unwavering belief that access to high-quality education is a fundamental right, and that reliable transportation should never be a barrier to that access. The ideal candidate will understand that they are often the first and last school representative our students see each day, and embrace the responsibility of creating a warm, welcoming environment that sets students up for success.

We hold ourselves to high standards and embrace accountability in our pursuit of excellence in all aspects of our work – including ensuring our students arrive safely and on time each day, ready to learn and grow. High-performing people who desire to join us in our mission to change the status quo of education in South Carolina, starting with removing transportation barriers for our families, are encouraged to apply.

THE OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking a dedicated professional to serve in a hybrid role as both a Bus Driver and Operations Support Specialist. This unique position allows you to play a vital role in both safely transporting our students and supporting our school operations during the instructional day. The ideal candidate will demonstrate commitment to safety, strong organizational skills, and a passion for supporting our school community.

BUS DRIVER DUTIES (Early Morning & Afternoon)

• Safely operate a school bus to transport students to and from school following established routes
• Conduct thorough pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections
• Maintain a clean and orderly bus environment
• Monitor student behavior and ensure safety protocols are followed
• Maintain accurate records of mileage, student counts, and any incidents
• Complete all required safety training and maintain appropriate certifications

OPERATIONS SUPPORT DUTIES* (School Day)

• Support campus maintenance and cleanliness
• Assist with inventory management and supply organization
• Assist with school arrival and dismissal procedures
• Help coordinate and support school events and activities
• Provide general operational support to school staff as needed

*For candidates seeking full-time employment that includes bus driving and additional responsibilities, we are open to designing a hybrid role suited for the individual talents of the candidate. For example, candidates who are interested in serving in hybrid roles as paraprofessionals, IT support, or janitorial services are also encouraged to apply. We can meet with you to discuss your skills and determine whether they fit our team needs.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Either
  • Valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with passenger endorsement and school bus certification, OR
  • Willingness to obtain CDL certification We provide comprehensive support including:
    • Fully paid CDL training program
    • Coverage of all exam preparation and tutoring costs
    • Payment for all testing fees and licensing costs
    • Dedicated mentoring from experienced drivers
    • Flexible training schedule to accommodate your needs
    • Training wage provided during CDL certification process
    • Guaranteed position upon successful completion
• Willingness to comply with SC State School Bus Driver certificate requirements
• Clean driving record for the past 5 years
• Proven reliability and punctuality
• Ability to maintain professional relationships with students, parents, and staff, including:

• Experience or demonstrated comfort working with elementary-age children
• Ability to manage student behavior positively and effectively while maintaining a safe bus environment
• Patience and understanding when working with young children
• Skill in communicating with children at an age-appropriate level
• Ability to establish and maintain consistent routines that help young students feel secure and supported
• Physical ability to assist students and handle emergency situations
• Ability to pass background check and drug screening
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to maintain professional relationships with students, parents, and staff

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous school bus driving experience
• Experience in facilities maintenance or operations
• Bilingual English/Spanish abilities
• Previous experience working in a school environment

SCHEDULE

• Split shift position (approximately 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM for bus routes)
• Operations support duties between bus routes (hours between 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM)
• Full-time, school calendar position (180 days)
  • If structured as a full-time role, the schedule would include set hours during the school day such that each week would entail approximately 40 hours between driving and other duties

COMPENSATION

We offer flexible employment arrangements to accommodate different schedules and preferences:

Option 1: Full-Time Combined Role

• Salary: $65,000 annually
• Includes both bus driving and operations support responsibilities
• Full benefits package
• School calendar schedule (180 days)

Option 2: Part-Time Bus Driver (Salaried)

• $35/hour
• Morning and afternoon routes only
• Pro-rated benefits package
• School calendar schedule (180 days)

Option 3: Part-Time Bus Driver (Contract)

• $35/hour
• Morning and afternoon routes only
• Flexible scheduling options
• School calendar schedule (180 days)

To uphold our commitment to equitable and fair compensation, we offer a competitive salary and have a no-negotiation policy.

Additionally, Heartwood Community School offers a comprehensive benefits package including and not limited to:

• Health Insurance 
• Dental Insurance 
• Vision Insurance 
• Life Insurance and Disability 
• Employee + Family Wellness 
• Tax Favored Spending Accounts (FSA/HSA) 
• Retirement Plans 

At Heartwood Community School we are committed to building a talented team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.