ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. \u2013 Orange County Public Schools is looking to hire bus drivers and mechanics as a nationwide shortage continues to impact day-to-day operations in the district.<\/p>\n
With 520 routes to cover, the district is working to get more people behind the wheel to ensure students get to school safely.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need at least 50 to 100 to get us back to a point where we can have drivers to cover absences,\u201d Bill Wen, director of transportation for OCPS, said.<\/p>\n
To close the gap, OCPS is hosting job fairs, welcoming candidates who already hold a commercial driver\u2019s license, as well as those who need help obtaining one.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been getting about 20 people every job fair \u2014 we do two a month,\u201d Wen said. \u201cIt takes a little time for people to get [a commercial driver\u2019s license], but we\u2019ve been getting classes of about 6 to 7 every couple of weeks. We\u2019re slowly getting there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Potential candidates must have a clean driving record and pass a background check. The district is also seeking mechanics in addition to bus drivers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe offer full-time benefits, and once they\u2019re here, they can also qualify for the Florida Retirement System. We have days paid off. When the kids are out of school; they\u2019re out of school as well. If they love working with children, this is a great opportunity,\u201d Wen said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have drivers who have been 20-plus years that love what they do and see their kids from kindergarten to high school.\u201d<\/p>\n
The district\u2019s next job fair is from 9 a.m. to Noon on Oct. 26.<\/p>\n