Bus Driver

City of Appleton; Appleton (WI); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Valley Transit in Appleton, WI seeks a full-time bus operator responsible for daily city bus operations, safety inspections, and reliable passenger service.

You will board and discharge riders, collect fares, maintain logs, and stay informed on routes, detours, and weather while delivering consistent, ADA-compliant service with professionalism. Stand-by shifts and overtime may apply; a Wisconsin CDL with P endorsement and Federal Medical Card are required.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience operating buses and related equipment.
• Ability to drive safely and on schedule in all weather conditions.
• Ability to understand street maps and directions.
• Ability to make independent decisions and exercise sound judgment in stressful or emergency situations.
• Ability to comply with ADA service requirements.

Responsibilities

• Drive city buses; board and discharge passengers; collect fares.
• Perform pre-trip safety inspections prior to leaving the depot.
• Maintain effective radio communications and log ridership and fares.
• Stay informed on routes, schedules, detours, and weather changes.
• Maintain punctual attendance and be willing to overtime as needed.
• Distribute printed information to passengers.

Skills

Defensive driving

Radio communications

Map reading

Decision making under pressure

Public/customer service

ADA service requirements

Attendance reliability

Defensive driving techniques

Education

Wisconsin Class B CDL with P endorsement

Federal Medical Card

Job description

Our top priority at Valley Transit is to help people get where they need to go – and we put a big emphasis on the word help. We are customer‑focused and work hard to make sure we’re positively impacting our Fox Cities community. This position is responsible for the day‑to‑day operation of a city bus. Work involves safety inspection of bus prior to use, transporting riders to and from designated bus stops, collection of fares, and daily record keeping. Drivers work in an engaging and inclusive environment on a team that supports each other. Valley Transit employees also receive excellent benefits and work with state‑of‑the‑art equipment while completing the essential service of connecting people with the family, friends, workplaces, and communities.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Drives city buses; boards and discharges passengers, including those who may need mobility assistance, at designated bus stops; collects fares from passengers; answers questions and gives directions.
• Performs routine safety inspections prior to taking bus onto public roadway and at end of shift.
• Maintains effective radio communications while on route to ensure safe and timely arrivals and departures and transfers.
• Records ridership information and logs daily fare accumulation.
• Checks bulletin board, daily assignment board, and is up to date on route information, schedule changes, detour information, weather conditions, etc.
• Maintains regular punctual and predictable attendance, works overtime and extra hours as outlined in schedule descriptions.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

• Distributes printed informational materials to passengers.
• Monitors and maintains the interior and exterior condition of the vehicle.Requires considerable experience in the operation of buses and related equipment supplemented by experience working with the general public or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the following knowledge, abilities and skills:
• Considerable knowledge of defensive driving techniques.
• Knowledge in the basic mechanical operation of buses and other vehicular equipment.
• Knowledge in the use and operation of radio communications systems.
• Ability to drive a bus safely and on schedule in all weather conditions.
• Ability to understand street maps and directions.
• Ability to make independent decisions and exercise sound judgment in stressful or emergency situations.
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with other employees and the public and to deal with the public in a courteous and tactful manner.
• Ability to effectively serve passengers and follow ADA service requirements in a safe manner.
• Reliability in attendance and promptness in reporting to work.
• Ability to comply with the City Drug and Alcohol Policy and pass a pre‑employment physical and drug screen.
• Possess and maintain a valid Wisconsin Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with the P endorsement and a Federal Medical Card.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Valley Transit has a commitment to the public. We print schedules that tell our customers where and when they can catch their bus. We are committed to having a bus on a given route at a particular time to get riders to their destinations.

Drivers are assigned shifts between 2 and 10 hours long and may include “split” shifts. Overtime may be assigned by the employer on an inverse seniority basis.

Stand‑by drivers must be available on their primary phone during the AM availability period. (5AM-7:30AM Mon.–Fri., 7AM-12PM Sat.) and PM availability period (12PM-3:30PM Mon.–Fri.) when stand‑by drivers are “on call” for unanticipated vacancies. During all other regular hours of operation, a driver is required to report for work when personally notified to do so. It is important that you are flexible and aware of the demands of the job, so we can continue to provide exceptional service for our customers and maintain a positive work culture.

Stand‑by drivers do not have a choice of which shift or route they work.