Bus Driver (Full-Time)

City of Mankato; Mankato (MN); On-site; USD 31,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Mankato seeks a Transit Bus Operator to operate medium and heavy-duty coaches on assigned routes, including mobility buses, with a focus on safety and public service. The role reports to the Transit Operations Supervisor and requires commitment to organizational values and community engagement.

The position starts at $22.77–$23.85 per hour, with potential advancement to $31.91 per hour. Non-Exempt, safety sensitive, and requires CDL within 60 days of employment, subject to recruitment

Qualifications

• Must be at least 19 years of age.
• High School Diploma/GED is required.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to drive in Minnesota.

Responsibilities

• Safely operates medium and heavy-duty coach buses on prescribed routes.
• Ensures safe transport of all passengers.
• Maintains accurate on-time bus schedules.
• Assists passengers and provides route information as needed.
• Performs pre-trip and post-trip inspections and paperwork.

Skills

Public safety

Customer service

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Tools

CDL Class A or B (preferred)

Job description

The 2026 starting rate of pay is $22.77 - $23.85 per hour with advancement to $31.91 per hour.

Grade: SS4

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Safety Sensitive Position: Yes

Supervisor Title: Transit Operations Supervisor

Minimum Qualifications of Education and Experience

• Must be at least 19 years of age.
• High School Diploma/GED is required
• Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to drive in the state of Minnesota.

Preferred Qualifications

• Possession of a Minnesota CDL Class A or B Commercial Driver’s license (CDL) with passenger endorsement and free of air brake restrictions.

Nature of Work

This position operates medium and heavy-duty coaches, including mobility buses, on assigned schedules and routes and on special trips, and promotes the service to the public through good public relations. Daily work is based on organizational values.

About Us

Our employees are committed to working in an environment that fosters the core values of the City of Mankato – positive attitude, accountability, respect, teamwork, and integrity. We care about making a positive difference in the lives of others. Our work is challenging and has purpose. We listen and engage with each other and our community. We are empowered and trusted to make good decisions that align with the public service principles and core values. Our organization is committed to investing and developing each other. We will recognize and celebrate our collective achievements and individual accomplishments.

We take pride in investing in our employees. Our team enjoys a supportive work environment that encourages not only success for the community we serve, but for you as well. Come grow your career with us!

Primary Essential Work Functions

• Safely operates medium and heavy-duty coach buses over prescribed routes.
• Ensures safe transport of all passengers
• Safely picks up and discharges passengers at designated bus stops.
• Maintains accurate on-time bus schedules.
• Issues transfers.
• Assists passengers as necessary.
• Safely loads/unloads, secures, ties down and assists wheelchair passengers.
• Provides information about bus schedules and times to the public as necessary.
• Exercises tact and courtesy in dealing with passengers.
• Observes all safety and traffic regulations.
• Records ridership levels for each trip, operates farebox and marquee.
• Reports defects or repairs needed on buses.
• Completes accident and incident reports as required.
• Operates two-way radio.
• Reports dangerous situations, road conditions, vehicle accidents, or crimes to the dispatcher.
• Operates the mobility bus when assigned.
• Performs inspections and paperwork for the bus before leaving the garage and when returning to the garage.
• Support passengers that may require additional assistance.
• Maintains an accurate inventory at all times of revenue supplies.
• Cleans buses or performs other assigned tasks during times in the work schedule that does not require driving.
• Promptly completes all paperwork and documentation following an accident.
• Calls out important locations to passengers using a public address system.
• Attends all mandatory staff meetings and safety trainings/videos (MMUA).

Communicates With

• Internally – City Employees
• Externally – General Public, Passengers, City Partners

Supervision

• Non-supervisory

Other Work Functions

• Performs physical and mental demands and work environment requirements for this position.
• Attendance during regularly scheduled work hours and outside regular hours as necessary.
• Effective and respectful communication and interactions with other employees, supervisors, individuals from other organizations, and community customers.
• Performs other related work as assigned or apparent.

The above is a general listing of job duties. Essential and non-essential functions may vary by individual position. Reasonable accommodations may be available for both essential and non-essential job duties.

Conditions of Employment

• Must possess (or obtain within sixty (60) days of employment) a Class B CDL with passenger endorsements and free of air brake restriction for buses larger than 15 people including the driver or 26,001 pounds gross vehicle weight and be able to drive.
• CDL holders must follow the guidelines listed in 49 C.F.R 383.71 & 383.5 to maintain their CDL privileges.
• Must satisfactorily complete a background investigation.
• Must satisfactorily complete a driving background examination, DOT physical examination, and drug screening as required under 49 CFR Part 655.
• Must have a driving record clear of revocations, suspensions, and cancelations for the past three (3) years.
• Must satisfactorily complete and pass an accredited defensive driving course, eight (8) hour passenger assistance course, first aid course, abuse prevention course, CPR course, and fire extinguisher course to be provided by the City of Mankato.
• Must meet expectations of the work functions and knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position.
• Must comply with organizational and departmental policies.
• Must comply with data practices policies and standards relative to not public data. Any access to not public data should be strictly limited to accessing the data that are necessary to fulfill the employment responsibility. While data are being accessed, incumbent should take reasonable measures to ensure the not public data are not accessed by individuals without a work reason. Once the work reason to access the data is reasonably finished the not public data must be properly stored according to city policy and the Minnesota Statutes.
• Safety Sensitive Notice: This is a safety sensitive position which requires cannabis pre-employment drug testing. Safety sensitive position means a job, in which an impairment caused by drug, alcohol or cannabis usage would threaten the health and safety of any person.

Working hours to be determined by bid route. Schedule will vary depending on route. Position requires weekdays, evening and weekend availability.