To help meet the on-going need for school bus drivers, Marion County Public Schools is repeating its recruiting efforts by bringing buses directly to areas where drivers are needed the most.
‘Bus Blitz 3’ will take place on Thursday, June 23, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. During this time, MCPS will drive and park school buses at the following strategic locations to sign up residents to become bus drivers:
- The Ewers Center parking lot at the College of Central Florida in Ocala.
- The Marion Oaks Community Center in Marion Oaks.
- The MCPS Employment Services parking lot along SE 5th Street in Ocala.
- The parking lot at the former Kmart on E State Road 40 / SE 36th Avenue in Ocala.
- Pasta Faire Restaurant in Belleview.
- Vanguard High School in Ocala.
During the event, anyone interested in becoming a bus driver can ask questions, learn more about working for the school district, and fill out an online application.
MCPS bus drivers earn a starting pay of $16.65 per hour with six guaranteed hours each day, and anyone over the age of 21 with a clean driving record is eligible. The school district pays candidates during training and covers training costs, with the exception of the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) exam.
All bus drivers receive paid health insurance, earn accrued time off, and are eligible for additional benefits. They are also able to sign up for temporary positions with fewer work hours or full-time positions with the potential to earn overtime.
The two previous Bus Blitz events, which were held last December and January of this year, resulted in six new bus drivers joining the district.
For more information, contact the Transportation Department of Marion County Public Schools at 352-671-7050 or visit the Marion County Public Schools careers webpage.