] Office of Human Resources - Montgomery County Public Schools

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT → CLASSIFICATION → DOT SPEC. ED SUPPORT SPECIALIST I - EFF. 7.1.25

Sorted by job title: A - C | D - H | I - Q | R - Z

DOT Spec. Ed Support Specialist I - Eff. 7.1.25

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLASS DESCRIPTION
OFFICIAL TITLE: DOT Spec Ed Support Specialist I CODE: 9551 SQ/OQ: Optimal Qualified
WORKING TITLE: DOT Spec. Ed Support Specialist I - Eff. 7.1.25 GRADE: 16 MONTHS: 12
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION; PHYSICAL DEMANDS; AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION: Under general direction, supports bus operators and attendants in the safe transport of special education students. Oversees proper installation and utilization of school bus safety equipment on Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) buses. Trains and engages with school bus operators, attendants, Department of Transportation (DOT) and school-based staff on strategies to manage complex behavioral challenges of special education students. Participates in Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meetings. Assesses bus operator and attendant interaction with special education students and provides guidance as needed. Provides classroom instruction for school bus safety related subjects and refresher training for staff members in the department. Supports the Safety and Training unit as needed with the training of school bus attendants and operators in vehicle operation and all other aspects of position responsibilities. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (Special requirements such as lifting heavy objects and frequent climbing.) Classroom instruction requires sustained standing/walking in a classroom environment. Behind-the-wheel training and license examinations require sustained standing/walking in an outdoor environment in all weather conditions. Sustained sitting may be required when instructing or observing bus operators, attendants, other staff. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: (Frequent overtime or night work required, etc.) Frequent direct contact with students. Frequent travel to student home and school locations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS ABILITIES: KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Working knowledge of student transportation system and school bus attendant and operator duties and requirements. Ability to positively and effectively engage special education students; observe student behaviors and employee/student interactions, recommend and demonstrate effective strategies to promote appropriate student behavior. Knowledge of laws, policies and best practices relative to special needs students, including MCPS transportation policies and regulations; Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR), Child Safety Restraint System (CSRS), National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) guidelines, Individualized Education Program (IEP), Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and other related laws, is required. Knowledge of a variety of school bus safety equipment. Skilled at training school bus operators about the requirements for local and state school bus driver and other commercial class vehicle driver licensing and certification. Ability to provide training to attendants and school personnel about MCPS transportation policies and regulations, school bus safety and the proper use of safety equipment. Must possess excellent communication and human relations skills and be able to use office software such as Word, Excel, Power Point, Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Knowledge of or the ability to quickly learn and meet the seven core competencies of the Supporting Services Professional Growth System (SSPGS).
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE; CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE: High school diploma or GED required. Three years of satisfactory service as a school bus operator required. Coursework in transportation, management, or other related field desirable. Experience with proper school bus safety equipment maintenance and installation. Experience in public speaking and/or providing training to adults in a classroom or virtual setting. Some experience working with special education students. Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Possession of a valid Maryland State Commercial Class B driver's license (or equivalent) with air brake, passenger, and school bus endorsements.
OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: Yes

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (The duties listed are typical examples of the work performed by this job classification. This is not an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements and does not limit the assignment of additional related duties for the position. Not all duties assigned are included, nor are all duties listed performed in every office or every day.)Supports, facilitates, assesses and trains special education bus teams on the safe transport of special education students, including the proper use of safety equipment.Attends and participates in IEP meetings as requested. Engages families and school staff to ensure the use of best practices in school bus safety.Engages special populations students, parents, school staff and bus teams to support safe transportation of students and resolve challenging situations or behavior.Conducts mandatory bus evacuation drills for special education buses, including wheelchairs, that service special schools. Trains DOT supervisors, bus teams and school staff and ensures compliance of proper equipment use and behavior management strategies.Performs safety assessments ensuring the safe selection, installation, proper utilization, and maintenance of safety equipment.Observes, strategizes, and advises bus teams, school staff and parents on how to mitigate and address unsafe, challenging student behavior.Provides overall support, advising and training staff/bus teams to resolve difficult challenges with transporting special population students safely.Oversees logistics for equipment, bus configurations, and depot equipment cleaning crews. Trains volunteer staff on proper cleaning of equipment.Conducts classroom and practical training for special education bus safety equipment, as requested.Assists with the development of training curriculum and instructional materials.Assists Safety and Training unit and operates buses and cover bus routes as required.Performs related work as required.

This description may be changed at any time.