LPS offering sign-on bonus for new bus drivers and para educators

The new school year is just two weeks away Lincoln Public Schools is still short on bus drivers and para educators.

"We are looking for about 15 bus drivers we need this year and about 50 plus para professionals," said Director of Transportation Ryan Robley.

One area where the district is really in need of new hires is in the para professional department.

"Between last year and this year, our para professionals have really deteriorated to where we do have a huge number of openings. We need about 50 people on the para professional side," said Robley.

Lincoln Public Schools began offering a $500 sign on bonus to new bus drivers last year.

The school board agreed to expand that program to both new drivers and new para educators moving forward.

"Both of those we are offering up to $1000 sign on bonus. The way that looks for drivers and paras, as soon as you get assigned a full time route, on your first paycheck you will get a $500 bonus," said Robley.

To be eligible for the second half of the $500 bonus, a person would need to finish the school year in good standing.

The para’s responsibility is maintaining order on the school bus. Robley called them the teachers on the bus.

Lincoln public schools offers full health insurance benefits for all full time employees.

As far as qualifications…

"We run background checks on every employee whether it’s a driver or a para. To be a bus driver you do have to be 21 years of age and you have to have a clean driving record. You do not have to hold your CDO, we offer paid training in our department," said Robley.

For full time para educators, wages start at over 13 dollars an hour.

And for bus drivers, wages start at over 18 dollars an hour.

If you are interested in applying or learning more go to LPS.org and look for the transportation bus driver or transportation para link.