Bus Operator

CapMetro; Town of Florida, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 38,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

PSTA seeks a skilled Bus Operator to safely operate revenue and non-revenue vehicles, adhere to schedules, and deliver courteous service across Pinellas County routes.

Applicants must have a Florida Class B CDL with Passenger endorsement, a clean driving record, and pass a DOT physical and drug test; strong communication and customer relations are essential to assist diverse riders and maintain safety.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; clean driving record preferred.
• Four (4) years driving experience; valid Florida CDL with Passenger endorsement required.
• Must pass DOT physical and drug test; DMV records checked.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate PSTA buses and trolleys to transport passengers.
• Adhere to schedules and traffic laws; provide courteous customer service.
• Perform pre-trip inspections and record fares.
• Communicate with dispatch and emergency services via radio.
• Assist disabled passengers and announce stops per ADA.
• Prepare related reports and handle passenger disputes professionally.

Skills

Safe driving

Interpersonal relations

English communication

Defensive driving

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

BASIC PURPOSE

The Bus Operator safely and efficiently operates PSTA buses and trolleys to transport passengers along designated routes in a timely and courteous manner. Under minimal supervision, this position adheres to Authority policies and procedures while ensuring passenger safety, providing excellent customer service, and maintaining schedule reliability.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Ability to safely operate PSTA revenue and non-revenue vehicles.

Ability to adhere to route schedules while operating in mixed traffic conditions.

Provides great customer service to passengers and others.

Performs vehicle inspection as required.

Ensures proper fares are collected and recorded.

Respectfully provides accurate information to passengers related to the use of PSTA service.

Communicates with dispatch, road supervision, and emergency vehicles via radio equipment and the IVN and Transit Control Head (TCH).

Operates wheelchair lift equipment and assists disabled passengers.

Announces bus stops in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Resolves passenger disputes in a courteous manner.

Prepares related written reports and documents as required.

Perform other functions as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: High School diploma or G.E.D. preferred.

EXPERIENCE: Four (4) years driving experience. Clean driving record; no more than 3 traffic violations in the last 5 years; or 3 years without any traffic violations. Must successfully pass all tests and written examinations given. Must successfully pass a DOT physical and drug test. Will have Division of Motor Vehicle records checked. Knowledge of Florida traffic laws; Pinellas County streets and highways is preferred.

Equivalent combinations of education, experience, and training may be considered.

LICENSE REQUIREMENT: A Florida driver license is required by start date, and you must possess one of the following:

Class “B” Commercial Driver’s License with Passenger endorsement and Air Brakes, or;

Class “B” CDL Permit with Passenger and Air Brake endorsements (available at DMV offices by completion of a written test).

OTHER REQUIREMENT: Must maintain a working phone number that can accept text messages.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Quality of Work: Produces accurate, thorough, and high-quality work, following applicable instructions.

Customer Focus: Provides excellent customer service to internal and external customers.

Communication: Communicates clearly and effectively with colleagues and stakeholders.

Teamwork / Interpersonal Relationships: Works and collaborates with others respectfully and productively; contributes to a positive environment.

Productivity/Time Management: Effectively manages time and resources to meet deadlines and achieve goals; takes appropriate initiative to complete tasks and resolve issues without guidance.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge: Florida Traffic Laws; Pinellas County streets and highways (preferable); defensive driving skills.

Skills: Safe driving and excellent interpersonal relations.

Abilities: Report to work on time in order to adhere to assigned routes and time schedules; to comply with attendance and tardiness work rules; ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing; to interact courteously and effectively with the public; to develop and maintain good working relationships with fellow employees; to do simple arithmetic; to read, to write legibly, to speak effectively, and to understand verbal and written instructions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Standing: 30 minutes to 1 hour/day on asphalt, concrete, rubber matted flooring of bus, grassy areas/gravel on side of road.

Sitting: 45 minutes to 2 hours at one time with seat belt properly secured, up to a maximum of 12 (average 9) hours per shift on adjustable, padded, backed air seat.

Walking: 30 minutes to 1 hour/day on asphalt, concrete, rubber matted flooring of bus, grassy areas/gravel on side of road.

Maximum Lifting: less than 5 lbs. from waist; Frequency: once per day (supplies); fire extinguisher (10 lbs.), box of triangles (10 lbs.), bike rack (10 lbs.), compartment door (10 lbs.), wheelchair ramp (5 lbs.). Frequency: rare

Carrying: less than 5 lbs.

Pushing/Pulling: right sided acceleration/air brake foot pedals; sliding left sided window at driver’s seat, mirrors to adjust inside/outside of vehicle; destination sign; sun visor; levers/buttons/switches needed to operate bus/make adjustments to parts of bus during pre-trip inspection; lap seat belt; bus seats up/down to access wheelchair areas on wheelchair accessible buses; button on phone to communicate with dispatch; buttons on computerized farebox and MW800 screen; emergency hatch to open and close in case of an emergency (rare) or if air conditioning failure; spring releases underneath seats, occasional pushing of wheelchair of at least 50 lbs.

Climbing: 1-3 steps into/out of bus – maximum of 16” step; ascend/descend 1 flight of stairs for daily check in/out.

Balancing: On steps of bus while adjusting outside mirrors; use of handrail inside bus for balance.

Bending/Squatting: Up to several times daily to strap wheels of wheelchairs into place; occasional to obtain emergency equipment that may be stored underneath seats or in other compartments at floor level of bus.

Twisting: Optional at neck/waist; mirrors are to be used to visually observe traffic and customers on bus; at wrist to turn dials.

Rotation: At arm/shoulder when using steering wheel; at waist when entering driver’s area.

Kneeling: When strapping wheelchair customers into place.

Vision: Near and far acuity.

Speaking/Signaling: Speaks clearly and distinctly to convey information to others.

Hearing: Perceives the nature of sounds by ear.

Reaching: Arm’s length forward to 20”; downward to floor from seat to approximately 25”; sideways to approximately 10” and overhead to approximately 6 ½’ from bus floor.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Noise/Vibration: Vibration when driving, general conversation and body noise from vehicle operation noted.

Hazards: Difficult customers, pedestrians, inclement weather conditions, traffic.

Machines/Tools/Equipment: 31’–40’ long, 9’ wide automatic transmission buses with air brakes; tickets/transfers/schedules (less than 5 lbs.); radio on bus; emergency equipment; fareboxes; MW800 screens.