The city of Goleta holds a school bus driver job fair as shortage continues

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) -- A hiring fair took place in Goleta in hopes to fill in some bus drivers’ seats.

The event was set to help ease school bus driver shortage in the county.

“We have a good team here in Santa Barbara and we all work together..we are just a big family,”

said Kathy Kerns, The Student Transportation of America Operations Manager.

Across the country, transportation companies are facing with the same issue: hiring school bus drivers.

The Student Transportation of America company is recruiting drivers with a starting pay of $19.00 an hour. 

The dream candidate should be someone patient and with a positive attitude

"People who are safe, people who are safe, people who are calm because we are dealing with children, sometimes ninety passenger school bus with children screaming and throwing things, they need to be mellow personality, good with kids obviously, safety is our number one priority," adds Heidi Frost, STA Regional Director of Recruiting.

The company says the positions come with paid holidays and paid training. 

You do not need to have prior experience as a professional driver, but need a clean driving record.

School bus drivers are guaranteed six hours paid shifts and a friendly working environment, and everyone is encouraged to apply.

"As a woman i think it is very empowering because a lot of times you feel oh you see the bus and think i can’t drive it but it is empowering to me that i able to move that big vehicle safely  with all those children in there," says school bus driver Janelly Calderon.

Drivers who are hired will be working for the Santa Barbara School District and Peabody School.

For more information go to : STACareers.com