Post: School Bus Driver (Register for Permanent and Casual Staff)

Transcription

1 N Post: School Bus Driver (Register for Permanent and Casual Staff) (Hours may vary from 25 hours per week up to a maximum of 36 hours) Council Areas - Antrim/Newtownabbey/Causeway Coast & Glens/Mid-Ulster/Mid-East Antrim Candidate Information Pack

2 Background and Context The Education Authority (EA) wants every child to have an outstanding education. The EA was established under the Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 and became operational on 1 April It is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department of Education and the Department for the Economy. The EA is responsible for ensuring that high quality primary and secondary education services are available to meet the needs of children and young people, and for support for the provision of efficient and effective youth services. These services were previously delivered by five Education and Library Boards (ELBs). The organisation employs over 39,000 people across Northern Ireland in a wide variety of roles including teachers in controlled schools, school-based support staff and staff in administrative headquarters. The work we do impacts the lives of tens of thousands of children, young people and their families every day. The services we provide are essential in supporting, encouraging and facilitating learning within our communities to develop generations of young people who are equipped to succeed in life and work in the modern world. As a public sector organisation, we must continue to deliver these vital services in a challenging environment of increasing financial pressure and under intense public scrutiny. Future Challenges and Opportunities Recent focus has been on transition from the former ELBs to a single authority. Looking forward, this focus moves from transition to transformation. Emerging from the five ELBs our aim is to build a new organisation which is focused on meeting the needs of all our young people equally, removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential. Work is underway to develop a strategic plan for the period This will provide a framework for the authority s activities and will guide the organisation through its transformation journey. The EA in all its activities will endeavour to support the Programme for Government to improve educational outcomes; reduce educational inequality; improve the quality of education and the skills profile of the population. The EA also recognises the fundamental role it has in other NI Executive priorities such as the economy and the wider success of Northern Ireland. These are exciting and challenging times for EA as we continue the process of transformation and seek fundamentally to transform education administration for the benefit of future generations of children and young people

3 TRANSPORT SECTION ANTRIM/NEWTOWNABBEY / CAUSEWAY COAST & GLENS/ MID-ULSTER / MID & EAST ANTRIM N Hours: Hourly Rate: SCHOOL BUS DRIVER (RETAINED CONTRACT) (REGISTER FOR PERMANENT AND CASUAL STAFF) Hours may vary from 25 hours per week up to a maximum of 36 hours (A retaining fee is paid during school holidays) Applicants must at the closing date hold a full category D PCV manual licence, Driver Qualification Card (DQC) and Digital Tachograph Card. It is preferred that applicants Have a minimum of 1 years experience of driving a bus (ie.17 seat vehicle and above) AND have experience in a customer service role. The criteria may be enhanced. Duties may also include the conveyance of school meals containers which will include a degree of lifting. Please note that School Bus Drivers who are currently on any register compiled by the Education Authority MUST reapply. The closing date for receipt of applications is 31 st December 2018 CANVASSING WILL DISQUALIFY Further information including desirable criteria and application forms are available from Ballymena EA Human Resources Office by collection between the hours of 9.00am and 4.45pm or by downloading from the EA website COMMITTED TO FAIRNESS AND EQUALITY

4 The Education Authority, Ballymena Office is currently compiling a register for School Bus Drivers for Permanent/temporary and casual staff. This register will be valid until December Please note that School Bus Drivers who are currently on the register compiled by the Education Authority MUST reapply Post: Location: Hours: School Bus Driver (Retained Contract) Ballymena Office Hours may vary from 25 hpw up to a maximum of 36 hpw. Rates of pay: to per hour. NJC pts A retaining fee is paid during school closures. Responsible to: Education Authority Transport Officer Ballymena Office or such other person designated by him/her to deputise on his/her behalf. 1.0 Job Purpose To drive any vehicle allocated in a careful, lawful manner with special reference to the persons and equipment being carried. 2.0 Duties and Responsibilities 2.1 Transport of children, including those with mobility problems or severe/moderate learning difficulties to and from school or other authorised locations. 2.2 To assist children, including those with mobility problems in and out of the vehicle. 2.3 To ensure the good behaviour of children on the bus where practicable and to report any behaviour incidents to the Transport Officer or such other person designated by him/her to deputise on his/her behalf. 2.4 To operate lifts and ramps on vehicles as required and ensure that wheelchairs are properly clamped down and secured. 2.5 To provide minor first aid to passengers and ensure that any injured child receives medical attention as quickly as possible. Completion and submission of the relevant personal injury report/accident report forms to the Transport Officer without delay. 2.6 To direct School Bus escorts where employed, in assisting with the above duties.

5 2.7 To transport meals from and return empty containers to School Meals Kitchens and assist generally at schools as required. 2.8 To ensure, as far as possible, that scheduled timings are observed and to keep a detailed record of journeys, fuel issues, oil, servicing and repair work on the vehicle log/mileage sheet. 2.9 To carry out daily routine vehicle maintenance including the checking of fuel, oil and water levels, tyre pressures and topping up as required To complete defect report book and submit to engineer 2.11 To comply with the EA Procedures and EU Driver s Hours Regulations and Road Transport (Working Time) Directive, including the use and submission of vehicle tachograph records To ensure the safe custody of all spare parts, tools, articles, equipment or other goods carried in the vehicle or under his/her immediate control whether the property of the Education Authority or otherwise To wash the allocated vehicle as and when necessary and ensure that the interior is kept clean and tidy To comply with the provisions contained in the Education Authority s official Drivers Manual. 3.0 General Conditions 3.1 All duties must be carried out to comply with: (a) the Health and Safety at Work (NI) order 1978; (b) Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments and Regulations and other legal requirements; (c) Codes of Practice. 3.2 All duties will be carried out in the working conditions normally inherent in the particular job. 3.3 All necessary paperwork must be completed. 3.4 Duties will be carried out for jobs up to and including those in the same grade, provided such duties are within the competence of the employee. Duties may also include the conveyance of school meals containers which will include a degree of lifting.

6 EDUCATION AUTHORITY, BALLYMENA OFFICE PERSON SPECIFICATION POST: School Bus Driver (Retained Contract) (Register for Permanent/Temporary and Casual Staff) ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS/ EXPERIENCE Applicants must, by the closing date for receipt of completed applications: 1) Have a full Category D PCV manual licence, Driver Qualification Card (DQC) and Digital Tachograph Card a. Have a minimum of 1 years experience of driving a bus (ie. 17 seat vehicle and above). b. Have experience in a customer service role. KNOWLEDGE/ Knowledge of health and safety legislation; Knowledge of the Highway Code. Knowledge of the requirements of a School Bus Driver. SKILLS Organisational skills; Communication skills; Interpersonal skills; Time management. PERSONAL QUALITIES Ability to work as a member of a team; Ability to work under pressure; Ability to work to deadlines; Ability to use own initiative; Ability to take instruction Flexible; Diplomatic; Approachable; Customer focused. The criteria may be enhanced. Application forms and associated documents may be downloaded from the Education Authority s website

7 DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND If you have been appointed for a post that involves regulated activity under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate, which is currently 33. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage. Further details in relation to legislative requirements can be accessed on or REFERENCES This appointment will be subject to satisfactory references being received. One reference should be from a person who is able to comment on your suitability to work with children/young people in an educational setting. The Education Authority (EA) will seek references from present/previous employers for posts involving regulated activity. It is essential that you fully describe in the application form how you meet the criteria sought. Please provide detailed information against each requirement, providing dates and ensuring that where requirements are time bounded (eg. 1 year within the last 5 years) you provide detail and dates that fully satisfy the requirement. It is not appropriate to simply list the various posts that you have held. Assumptions will not be made from the title of your post. Posts involving work in educational institutions are subject to the provisions of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007 Canvassing will disqualify LATE OR FAXED APPLICATION FORMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED Please complete and return your application form and Equal Opportunities Questionnaire by post/hand delivering to the EA Human Resources Department, County Hall, 182 Galgorm Road, Ballymena no later than 2.00 pm on the closing date 31 st December 2018 for completed applications.

8 Job Ref: _N Position: EA Bus Driver Managing Office: Ballymena Applicants are asked to select the area/s and hours they are interested in applying for. PLEASE INDICATE YOUR INTEREST: Permanent Position Casual Position PLEASE CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING BEFORE SELECTING YOU CHOICES: BUSES WILL BE PARKED OVERNIGHT AT A BASE IN THE LOCALITY OF WHERE A RUN OPERATES FROM. DRIVERS WILL BE EXPECTED BY THEIR OWN MEANS AND IN THEIR OWN TIME TO COMMUTE TO/FROM WHERE A BUS IS BASED. AREA 25 HOURS 30 HOURS 32.5 HOURS 36 HOURS MID & EAST ANTRIM EG. BALLYMENA/LARNE/CARRICK AREAS CAUSEWAY COAST & GLENS EG. COLERAINE/BALLYMONEY/THE GLENS AREAS ANTRIM & NEWTOWNABBEY EG. ANTRIM/BALLYCLARE/NEWTOWNABBEY MID ULSTER EG. MAGHEAFELT/MAGHERA/DRAPERSTOWN NAME: DATE:

9 DRIVER WITH RETAINER FEE SUMMARY OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE The Conditions of Service are determined by the National Joint Council (NJC) for Local Government Services. HOURS Please refer to the Candidate Information Pack for hours relating to the post. The full-time hours for an EA employee is 36 hours per week. Employees are required to work such hours as are necessary for the efficient discharge of the duties of the post. REMUNERATION Details relating to the salary scale/rate of pay are in accordance with the agreement relating to your grade. Your hours of work exclude meal breaks. The Candidate Information Pack provides the salary scale/rate of pay relating to the post. You will be required to work 40 weeks of the year, 38 of which are to be worked during term-time. The remaining 2 weeks will be worked as follows: One day for CPC training either the first or second working day of July; Last four working days in August, prior to the new school term commencing, when you will be required to attend training and route orientation; The timing of the remaining five days will be at the discretion of the Transport Manager subject to service needs (advance notice will be provided) EA employees are paid by Bankers Automatic Clearing System (BACS) on a monthly basis. Employees must have a current bank account and provide details prior to the first date of commencement of employment. ANNUAL LEAVE, PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND EXTRA-STATUTORY HOLIDAYS In accordance with the Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 (as amended), all employees have a statutory entitlement to a minimum of 5.6 weeks paid holiday. The basic annual leave entitlement is increased after 5 years service in accordance with existing agreements. In addition, there are normally 12 public and extra-statutory holidays in any leave year.

10 Employees who work less than a 5 day/36 hour week, and/or fewer than 52 weeks per annum, will have an entitlement to leave that is pro rata to the hours, days and weeks worked. Salary range NJC Pts 4 17 NJC Pts NJC Pts NJC Pts NJC Pts 49 and over Minimum Entitlement After 5 years service 21 days 28 days 21 days 29 days 23 days 30 days 25 days 31 days 27 days 33 days The leave year extends from 1 April in one year to 31 March the following year. New entrants will be entitled to leave proportionate to the completed months of service during the first year of entry. School based employees are not permitted to take annual leave during term-time. The annual leave entitlement for the year will be paid in August. In respect of the period of the year when the school is closed and employees are not on annual leave, a retainer fee calculated at the rate of one half of the employee s normal rate of pay immediately prior to the school closure is payable subject to conditions being met. OCCUPATIONAL SICK PAY Occupational sick pay is paid in accordance with NJC Conditions of Service. Employees who work less than a 5 day/36 hour week, and/or fewer than 52 weeks per annum, will have an entitlement that is pro rata to the hours, days and weeks worked. MATERNITY, ADOPTION, PATERNITY AND PARENTAL LEAVE The Education Authority has Schemes in operation for the provision of Maternity, Adoption, Paternity and Parental leave. Further information is available from Human Resource Services.

11 PROBATIONARY PERIOD The first 26 weeks of service is defined as the probationary period, at the end of which, subject to a satisfactory report compiled by the appropriate Line Manager, an appointment is confirmed. SUPERANNUATION The Pension Scheme provided by the Education Authority is the LGPS (NI) which is administered by the Northern Ireland Local Government Officer s Superannuation Committee (NILGOSC). NILGOSC operates a qualifying pension scheme which meets or exceeds the Government s standards. The Education Authority currently operates automatic enrolment, whereby eligible employees are brought into the pension scheme but have the option to opt out if desired. Auto enrolment was introduced by the government to encourage people to save for their retirement. For more information please visit the NILGOSC website or contact NILGOSC on telephone number or by info@nilgosc.org.uk. RETIREMENT Employees who contribute to the Local Government Pension Scheme, can retire and receive benefits in full once retirement age is reached. Further information is available from Human Resource Services. NOTICE PERIOD The minimum period of notice employees are required to give to terminate employment is not less than 1 calendar month/4 weeks. Employees on salary NJC Pt. 42 and above (or equivalent) are required to give 3 calendar months notice. CODE OF CONDUCT Failure to comply with the Code of Employment may be considered a disciplinary offence and/or could result in the offer of employment being withdrawn and/or could result in dismissal. A copy of the current Code of is available from the Education Authority Human Resources Services. UNDERTAKING WORK IN ADDITION TO THIS POST Employees intending to undertake any other paid employment or work should, prior to undertaking the other work, notify the Education Authority of their intention to do so. Other employment can only be undertaken where the Education Authority has granted written approval.

12 CHILD PROTECTION The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as regulated activity. Appointment to a post defined as regulated activity is subject to a satisfactory outcome of the vetting procedure, including receipt of a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure Certificate from AccessNI. OTHER POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Other policies and Procedures are available from Human Resource Services on request or available to view on the Education Authority website