ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – 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.
With 520 routes to cover, the district is working to get more people behind the wheel to ensure students get to school safely.
“We need at least 50 to 100 to get us back to a point where we can have drivers to cover absences,” Bill Wen, director of transportation for OCPS, said.
To close the gap, OCPS is hosting job fairs, welcoming candidates who already hold a commercial driver’s license, as well as those who need help obtaining one.
“We’ve been getting about 20 people every job fair — we do two a month,” Wen said. “It takes a little time for people to get [a commercial driver’s license], but we’ve been getting classes of about 6 to 7 every couple of weeks. We’re slowly getting there.”
Potential candidates must have a clean driving record and pass a background check. The district is also seeking mechanics in addition to bus drivers.
“We offer full-time benefits, and once they’re here, they can also qualify for the Florida Retirement System. We have days paid off. When the kids are out of school; they’re out of school as well. If they love working with children, this is a great opportunity,” Wen said.
“We have drivers who have been 20-plus years that love what they do and see their kids from kindergarten to high school.”
The district’s next job fair is from 9 a.m. to Noon on Oct. 26.
To see when job fairs are scheduled and how to pre-apply before the hiring event, visit the district’s career webpage.
