Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) will hire school bus drivers starting at $28.43 an hour at a job fair Wednesday, Oct. 7, in Lorton.

The district is describing the event as a "one-stop shop" where candidates can complete physicals, fingerprinting, orientation and interviews in a single visit. The fair runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lorton Center, 8101 Lorton Rd., Lorton.

No pre-registration is required.

FCPS, Virginia's largest school division, operates nearly 1,600 buses that cover about 85,000 miles daily, WTOP reported Monday, Sept. 28. The district serves schools across the Vienna area, including James Madison High School, Oakton High School and Thoreau Middle School.

The Oct. 7 fair is open to applicants for three positions: school bus driver, transportation attendant and transportation van driver. Attendants start at $20.10 an hour. Van drivers start at $21.22.

Bus driver pay tops out above $31 an hour, according to the district, with annual step increases and market-scale adjustments subject to School Board approval. Benefits include a paid training program, 12 paid non-working days, retirement, health and dental plans, and life and disability insurance. Drivers' infant and preschool-age children and grandchildren may ride along on routes.

FCPS provides the six-to-eight-week training program needed to earn a Class B commercial driver's license (CDL) with passenger and school bus endorsements. Bus driver applicants must be at least 19, have a good driving record and pass a physical exam, drug screen and background check. Van driver applicants must be at least 21 and hold a valid driver's license.

Morning shifts run from 6 to 9:30 a.m. Afternoon shifts run from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Full-time drivers get a minimum of 30 hours per week, with additional hours available. Summer hours are also offered.

Candidates should bring a valid ID and two completed HR-125 professional reference forms. Mobile fingerprinting will be available as availability permits, the district said, so not every hiring step is guaranteed on-site.

For questions, candidates can call 571-423-3023 or email [email protected].