Bus Operator (2027-2 Eligibility List)

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is hiring Bus Operators in California. The role begins as a Bus Operator Trainee with a paid 10-week training program, followed by promotion to Bus Operator.

We value customer-focused service, punctuality, and safety, and provide training for those without a commercial license. This recruitment builds the 2027 eligibility list and offers a rewarding public service career.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent and valid CA Class C driver's license
• Ability to obtain and maintain CA Class B license
• Clean driving record with no more than three moving violations in last 3 years
• Must be 18 years of age
• Must be available to work weekends, holidays, and odd hours

Responsibilities

• Operates a motor coach safely and on a designated schedule
• Picks up and drops off passengers at designated bus stops
• Collects fares and sells day passes
• Aids passengers in boarding or departing the motor coach
• Operates the wheelchair lift when necessary and secures passengers' wheelchairs
• Makes stop announcements and assists passengers with information
• Maintains order on the motor coach and documents when needed
• Maintains records and completes required reports

Skills

Safe driving practices

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

Hop on Board, VTA is hiring Bus Operators!

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is in search of customer service-focused drivers who have an interest in public transportation. Joining the VTA team opens a wealth of opportunities. We offer career advancement opportunities, along with generous benefits and pension plans.

If you are a people-person who is friendly, punctual, prioritizes safety above all else, and is ready to start a rewarding career in public service, we invite you to apply. Don't have a commercial license? No problem! - We provide the training!

The Bus Operator career at VTA begins as a Bus Operator Trainee. Upon successfully completing the paid 10-week training program, you will be promoted to the Bus Operator classification.

This recruitment is for the 2027 eligibility list.

Bus Transportation

Bus transportation is responsible for the operation and delivery of VTAs' transit service to 74bus routes, covering approximately 346 square miles in both urbanized and rural areas of Santa Clara County. The breakdown by type of route is: 18 core/primary; 17local/secondary; 18Community bus; 13 Express; four Limited Stop; and four Special Event. VTA provides a full-service bus system of 441large buses: 214of which are Hybrid (40-foot) buses; 75of which are Articulated (60-foot) buses; 104 of which are a mix of Standard Diesel (35-foot & 40-foot) buses;10 Electric buses; and, 38smaller community buses operating from three bus divisions, Cerone and Chaboya based in San Jose and North based in Mountain View. Nine Hundred and Twenty-Four (924) Operators provide more than 14.9 million miles of bus service on an annual basis with an average weekday ridership of 94,740.

Definition

Under general supervision, an Operator transports passengers in a motor coach on a fixed route.

About VTA

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2,000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, VTA is Santa Clara County’s authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus), congestion management, transportation-related funding, highway design and construction, real estate and transit-oriented development, and bicycle and pedestrian planning. With local, state, and federal partners, VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality of our region.

VTA provides bus, light rail, and paratransit services, as well as participates as a funding partner in regional rail service including Caltrain, Capitol Corridor, and the Altamont Corridor Express.

As the county’s congestion management agency, VTA is responsible for countywide transportation planning, including congestion management, design and construction of specific highway, pedestrian, and bicycle improvement projects, as well as promotion of transit-oriented development.

VTA provides these services throughout the county, including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale. VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County.

As we continue to implement our VTA Forward Plan, we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services.

Family-friendly workplaces improve health outcomes and job satisfaction for employees and increase work productivity and retention for employers. Employers can create a family-friendly workplace by meeting and exceeding state and federal employment laws relating to parental leave, lactation accommodation, and work/family balance.

Typical Tasks

• Operates a motor coach safely and in accordance with a designated schedule;
• Picks up and drops off passengers at designated bus stops;
• Collects fares and sells day passes;
• Aids passengers in boarding or departing the motor coach as needed;
• Operates the wheelchair lift when necessary and secures passengers' wheelchairs;
• Calls out stops and provides information to passengers;
• Maintains order on the motor coach;
• Operates a two-way radio;
• Prepares accident and incident reports;
• Keeps records;
• Performs related work as required.

Employment Standards

Training and experience equivalent to a High School Diploma and possession of a valid California Class C driver's license at the time of appointment, and the ability to obtain and maintain a valid California Class B license.

Driving record may not have more than three (3) moving violations within the last three (3) years.

Must be eighteen (18) years of age at the time of application.

Must have a good attendance record at school and/or previous job.

Must be available to work weekends, holidays, and odd and unusual hours.

Knowledge of

• Safe driving practices.

Ability to:

• Learn to operate a motor coach in a safe manner;
• Learn to operate a two-way radio;
• Read maps;
• Follow a schedule;
• Follow oral and written instructions which are given in English;
• Prepare accident, incident, and other reports in English;
• Maintain simple records;
• Deal courteously and effectively with the public;
• Perform simple arithmetic.

This classification is represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU). Wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment are governed by the applicable collective bargaining agreement between VTA and the union.

Conditions of Employment

Final candidates must successfully complete a Livescan background check, reference checks, verification of education or certifications, and a criminal history review before appointment.

For safety-sensitive positions, VTA requires a 6-month DOT physical clearance. Obtained at the time of preboarding from a VTA-contracted Concentra Location.

Eligibility List

The established Eligible List from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancies and additional vacancies that may occur. Eligible Lists typically remain in effect for six (6) months. However, Human Resources may abolish Eligible Lists at any time during the six (6) month period. Human Resources may extend eligible Lists for up to two (2) years. Eligible Lists may be used for more than one recruitment.

Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations

VTA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the recruitment and examination process. To request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department at [phone] or email [e-mail] at least five business days before the test.

Veterans’ Preference Program

VTA welcomes and encourages the employment of veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Qualified veterans may be eligible to receive additional veterans’ preference credit in the selection process for this recruitment.

To be considered for Veterans’ Preference credit, please attach a PDF copy of your DD Form 214 (Service Copy 2) or other official discharge documentation showing your enlistment and discharge dates and character of service (i.e., type of discharge) in the “Attachments” section of your application. Applicants requesting preference based on a service-connected disability, please submit Standard Form 15 (SF-15) along with any required supporting documentation.

Veterans’ Preference credit will only be applied after the required documentation has been received and eligibility has been verified.

Equal Employment Opportunity

VTA is an equal employment opportunity employer. VTA does not and will not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age, ancestry, color, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, national, origin, immigration status, political affiliation, race, religion, creed, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, medical condition, disabled veteran or veteran status, etc.