Salem Schools To Hire Critical Response Driver

SALEM, MA — Salem Public Schools has posted an opening for a newly created role that would specialize in transporting students home who have shown signs of possible coronavirus symptoms separately from other students.

"Bringing students to school in person requires SPS to be prepared so that in the event that a child shows any signs of illness, SPS is able to follow all health and safety protocols," the post reads. "This includes ensuring the child is transported home separately from other students."

The van driver will be required to drive symptomatic students from the school home, or bring a student and family to a testing site, in accordance with the Transportation Department, Board of Health and Salem Public Schools policies. The candidate must be willing to travel outside of the district, if necessary.

The post says the part-time position pays $30 per hour, that the driver "acknowledges and accepts the potential risks associated with the novel coronavirus pandemic and recognizes their personal role in ensuring all proper mitigation strategies are taken to reduce these risks."

Salem Public Schools will provide protective equipment, including a KN95 face masks, gloves and a gown in a case where the student is believed to be symptomatic.

The driver cannot be a member of the current driver and bus monitor unit.

Those interested should contact Alicia Palmer, Director of Human Capital, at apalmer@salemk12.org.