Larry Watkins
Carthage,NC
Summary
Safety-conscious School Bus Driver with 59 years in school bus transportation work and high regard for student safety. Transported large school district's students on daily routes and field trips and earned high safety ratings every year. Excellent driving and communications skills leading to outstanding results.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate
Work History
School Bus Driver
First Student School Bus
09.1992 - 06.2023
- Completed pre-trip and post-trip bus inspections and documented info in vehicle logs.
- Demonstrated professionalism at all times while engaging with students, parents, colleagues, and administrators alike during daily duties.
- Provided a positive environment for students during transportation, fostering respectful interactions and promoting good behavior.
- Assisted in maintaining bus cleanliness with regular sanitizing and disinfecting.
- Transported passengers safely along prescribed routes according to tight schedules.
- Ensured proper bus equipment functionality through regular checks of lights, signals, mirrors, brakes, tires, and other essential components.
- Enhanced student safety by strictly adhering to bus routes and schedules, as well as enforcing established behavior guidelines.
- Complied with all relevant state and federal regulations regarding school transportation services, ensuring the safety and well-being of students at all times.
- Obeyed federal, [State] and local traffic laws and regulations to enable safe transportation outcomes for participants.
- Developed positive relationships with students, faculty and parents to support continuous rapport and communication.
- Demonstrated strict adherence to safety regulations and traffic laws to safeguard passengers.
- Adapted quickly to unexpected situations such as road closures or detours while maintaining composure under pressure to ensure timely arrivals at destinations.
- Reported vehicle maintenance and repair issues to appropriate personnel for timely resolution.
- Maintained accurate records of student pick-ups and drop-offs, ensuring proper documentation for school administration purposes.
- Collaborated with school administrators to address any behavioral issues arising during transportation effectively.
- Adhered to scheduled routes and accomplished timely drop-offs and pick-ups to comply with preset route criteria.
- Maintained [State] driver's license to enable legal operation of school buses for student transport, field trips, and other purposes.
- Assisted in emergency preparedness drills, demonstrating appropriate evacuation procedures to students and staff members.
- Participated in ongoing training programs to maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry best practices and safety regulations.
- Upheld high standards of cleanliness for the school bus interior by performing regular cleaning tasks after each trip.
- Coordinated closely with colleagues during field trips or special events to provide seamless transportation services for all participants involved.
- Assisted students with boarding and exiting bus to reduce safety issues.
- Supported special needs students by accommodating individual requirements and ensuring their comfort throughout the journey.
- Fostered a strong sense of community among bus riders, promoting respect for fellow passengers and valuing the importance of punctuality.
Corrections Officer
NY State Corrections
06.1989 - 11.2016
- Enhanced facility safety by conducting thorough security checks and monitoring inmate activities.
- Supervised inmates during all activities and transfers to monitor compliance and implement corrective actions.
- Reduced inmate altercations by maintaining consistent enforcement of rules and regulations.
- Supported successful emergency response efforts by participating in regular drills and training exercises.
- Prevented contraband introduction through diligent cell searches and visitor screenings.
- Conducted pat downs and strip searches of inmates and visitors to prevent contraband from entering facility.
- Maintained safety and security of staff and public by applying defensive techniques and physical restraints.
- Monitored radio transmissions between staff to respond immediately to directions and emergencies.
- Effectively interacted with staff, offenders, visitors and public to maintain security within facility.
- Collaborated with fellow officers to maintain a secure and orderly environment within the correctional facility.
- Inspected condition of locks, window bars, doors and gates to prevent prisoner escapes.
- Provided guidance for new staff members as part of an ongoing training program aimed at enhancing overall team performance.
- Reduced escape attempts, crimes and other hazardous activity through close observation and situational awareness.
- Promoted a positive environment for rehabilitation with effective communication and conflict resolution skills.
- Safeguarded public safety by ensuring strict adherence to established policies governing the transportation of inmates between facilities or court proceedings.
- Developed a reputation for professionalism and integrity, serving as a role model for fellow officers in the performance of daily duties and adherence to ethical standards.
- Led inmate work crews completing maintenance, construction, farming and operations activities.
- Demonstrated strong leadership abilities while serving as shift supervisor, coordinating officer assignments, resolving conflicts among staff members, and providing feedback on performance evaluations.
- Received and processed inmates into custody of institution by searching prisoners and taking charge of personal property.
- Authored incident reports for management on violations and discrepancies.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - History
College of Staten Island of The City University of New York
Staten Island, NY05.1975
Associate of Arts - Business
Sandhill Community College
Southern Pines, NC05.1970
Skills
- Dependable and reliable
- Effective communication skills
- Safety-focused
- Safe Driving Practices
- Incident Reporting
- Commercial driving
- Special Needs Assistance
- Emergency Procedures
- Passenger Management
- Route Planning
- Punctuality
- Vehicle inspections
- Weather condition driving
- Transporting Students
- Bus evacuation drills
Certification
- CDL License - 59 years
Timeline
School Bus Driver
First Student School Bus
09.1992 - 06.2023
Corrections Officer
NY State Corrections
06.1989 - 11.2016
Bachelor of Arts - History
College of Staten Island of The City University of New York
Associate of Arts - Business
Sandhill Community College