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TAKING IT TO THE STREETS Driving recruits First Student bus drivers wave signs to fill school-year openings Comment By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat MailTribune.com By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Jul. 16, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Jul. 16, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Fewer students need a lift in July, but area school bus drivers have found visible work drawing attention to a number of openings in Jackson County. Bus service company First Student is seeking to fill 14 bus driver openings in Medford and about five openings in Phoenix and Talent, Medford fleet manager Julie Clemence said. Four openings had been posted for Central Point, but drivers are currently in training for those routes. Drivers John Hertel and Sara Lorenz clutched "Now Hiring" signs and waved at traffic beside a short yellow school bus Friday at the corner of Barnett Road and South Riverside Avenue. Other drivers have been seen near Food 4 Less and other spots in town drawing attention to the openings. Hertel said he never imagined he'd enter his fifth year as a bus driver. Hertel initially signed up for the flexible schedule, but said he learned to enjoy his work. "This is about the first job I've had where I enjoy the 'doing' of it," Hertel said, adding that it took him until he was in his 50s to find such a job. During the school year, Hertel works a few hours in the morning and a few hours in the afternoon driving Hoover Elementary and South Medford High students to and fro. He said he enjoys the kids, and has found that by showing the students respect, the kids give it back. "Children can be a lot more patient and understanding than people give them credit for," Hertel said. Lorenz, who also has Hoover Elementary and South Medford High School routes, just hit 90 days with the company. To become a driver, she underwent about 50 hours of training to get her commercial driver's license. She said maneuvering a school bus "just takes practice" and an understanding of the vehicle's pivot points. For the summer, Lorenz starts about 7 a.m. driving the bus to the Abby's parking lot, then sets up tents and signs before winding down about 2 p.m. Hertel said she prefers waving signs for First Student over the hassles of summer unemployment. "There's generally not a whole lot to do for a bus driver in the summertime," Hertel said. Fourteen openings during the summer is typical, Clemence said. Many drivers stick the job out during the school year before leaving to go back to school, move out of the area or retire. "They'll leave for whatever reason," Clemence said. "It's a ton of different reasons." The company provides the training free in Medford, but drivers aren't paid for training time, Clemence said. “Most people are scared of driving the big vehicle,” Clemence said. “Actually it’s easier than driving a car.” A bus has good visibility, rides higher up than a passenger car, and training gives drivers a good foundation, she said. Signs and fliers advertised pay of $12 to $16 an hour, depending on experience. The hiring process includes a drug and alcohol screen, a background check and a driving record check. "The number one priority in a driver is safety," First Student spokesman Jay Brock said. Brock said personalities that do well with kids thrive in the position. "We want big personalities — people who are excited and people who love kids," Brock said. For information, call 541-772-1114 or apply online at apply.firstgroupcareers.com . Reach reporter Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @MTCrimeBeat. By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat MailTribune.com By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Jul. 16, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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