Student transportation system offering $5,000 signing bonuses for bus drivers and attendants.

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education Division of Student Transportation (OSSE DOT) will hold a hiring fair Feb. 16-17 for prospective bus drivers, bus attendants, fleet maintenance, customer service roles and other positions as part of the OSSE DOT’s ongoing efforts to recruit staff to serve DC students with disabilities. OSSE DOT is offering $5,000 signing bonuses as an incentive for bus drivers and attendants hired after the two-day event held 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Old Council Chambers at the Marion S. Barry Building, 441 Fourth St. NW. Registration is open until Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, at 12 p.m.

“Like most school systems across the country, the District of Columbia is experiencing a shortage of school bus drivers and attendants that has impacted service for our students and families,” said State Superintendent Dr. Christina Grant. “Our students and families deserve safe, efficient and reliable transportation service, and we are looking forward to growing our team of dedicated professionals so that we can best serve our community.”

Held in partnership with the DC Department of Human Resources, the hiring fair is intended to provide candidates a chance to learn more about OSSE DOT and chat with several OSSE DOT recruiters and hiring managers.

Advance registration is required for applicants to be pre-qualified and secure a pre-scheduled interview slot during the hiring fair. Interested applicants can also register onsite at the fair. Interested candidates should register on OSSE’s website. Once applications are completed, an OSSE recruiter will be in touch with applicants.

"We are looking for dedicated bus drivers, attendants and support staff to support our mission of providing safe, reliable and efficient transportation services. We know that a good transportation system positively supports learning opportunities for eligible students from the District,” said OSSE DOT Director Michael Riley. “Working for OSSE DOT is a rewarding experience where you work in a supportive environment with motivated colleagues who believe in doing everything they can to make a difference in the lives of our young people every day. Join us in our mission and fill out an application today.”

In addition to recruiting efforts to quickly fill vacancies for drivers, bus attendants and call center staff, OSSE DOT has taken other actions to stabilize the school transportation system, such as increasing the parent reimbursement rate by 125 percent, expanding and improving communication efforts with families and utilizing private vendors to alleviate pressure to the system.

If families have questions, they can call OSSE DOT’s Parent Resource Center at (202) 576-5000, Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. For non-urgent questions, families can email OSSE.DOT@dc.gov.