Coach Operator

Intercity Transit; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Retirement plan

Paid vacation

Paid sick leave

Floating holidays

Bereavement leave

Wellness allowance

Uniforms provided

On-site fitness room

Job summary

Intercity Transit in Olympia, Washington is hiring Coach Operators. The role includes driving buses, delivering outstanding customer service, and ensuring safety for riders daily. Training is provided and full-time scheduling is available across varied shifts.

Starting wage and progression are publicized with raises over time; benefits include health, retirement, and paid time off. This is a frontline public service role requiring strong people skills and reliability.

Qualifications

• Must provide excellent customer service to diverse riders.
• Ability to stay calm and professional under pressure.
• Strong communication and teamwork with coworkers.

Responsibilities

• Interact with hundreds of passengers daily to provide safe, reliable service.
• Maintain a safe on-board environment and follow operating procedures.
• Represent Intercity Transit with courtesy and professionalism to all riders.

Skills

Customer service

People skills

Safety

Dependability

Flexibility

Communication

Patience

Job description

INTERCITY TRANSIT IS HIRING COACH OPERATORS!

Every day, Intercity Transit Coach Operators provide safe, reliable transportation that helps people get to work, school, medical appointments, grocery shopping, and home. Coach Operators are the face of Intercity Transit and play an important role in creating a safe and welcoming experience for every passenger.

As a Coach Operator, you'll interact with hundreds of passengers every day. Some will be having the best day of their lives. Others may be frustrated, confused, or experiencing difficult circumstances. Successful Coach Operators treat every rider with patience, professionalism, and respect while maintaining a safe environment for everyone on board.

We're looking for people to join our team who are committed to serving the public and understand that this career is about much more than driving a bus.

Successful Coach Operators:

• Enjoy working with people from all backgrounds.
• Provide excellent customer service.
• Remain calm, patient, and professional in challenging situations.
• Communicate respectfully, even when others are frustrated or upset.
• Make safety their highest priority.
• Are dependable because passengers and coworkers rely on them every day.
• Are willing to work mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and split shifts.

A Career with Intercity Transit

No CDL? No problem! You do not need a Commercial Driver License (CDL) or endorsements to apply. All newly hired Coach Operators complete 11 weeks of paid training. During this time, trainees should expect to attend classes and hands-on training during evening and overnight hours. Training shifts may extend as late as 4:00am.

All new Coach Operators are hired into full-time positions with a guaranteed minimum of 40 hours per week. If you're looking for a stable career where you can serve your community, make a difference every day, and build a future, we encourage you to apply.

We are currently accepting applications for our tentative January 18, 2027, start date. Interviews and conditional job offers are expected to take place in early December. If you've ever considered becoming a Coach Operator, now is a great time to join our team.

Pay & Benefits

The starting wage for Coach Operators in 2027 is $28.08 per hour (Step A), with scheduled step increases up to $39.79 per hour (Step F). Coach Operators receive an additional 2% ($40.58/hour) when they reach 10 years of employment and a total of 3% ($40.98/hour) when they reach 15 years of employment.

Intercity Transit offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents
• Washington State Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) pension benefits, plus voluntary deferred compensation plans (401(k) and 457) with employer match up to 8.5%
• 12 to 25 vacation days per year based on eligibility and length of service
• 12 days of sick leave per year
• Up to 54 hours of floating holiday time
• Paid bereavement leave
• $150 per month Family & Wellness Allowance
• Uniforms provided

A workplace designed for you!

Intercity Transit provides a modern workplace with amenities designed to support our employees. Our facility includes a driver lounge with a relaxation room, computer access, pool table, and an on‐site fitness room with showers.

Job qualifications:

• Flexibility to work varied shifts including days, nights, split shifts, weekends, and holidays (not including Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day).
• Possess a valid WA state driver's license and be able to obtain (by the end of training) and maintain a valid Class “B” Commercial Driver's License with passenger endorsement and air brake restriction lifted.
• Must have an acceptable 5-year driving history that meets the agency's hiring criteria.
• Must successfully complete a Transit Operator exam.
• Must successfully complete a practical fit test to ensure you are able to perform the physical tasks required of a Coach Operator.
• Strong customer service skills including the ability to interact positively with a diverse population.
• History of good attendance and punctuality.

Prior to the start date, candidates must:

• Possess a valid Washington State CDL permit.
• Pass a post-job offer employment-related physical examination and drug screen, as well as a criminal background check, the results of which must meet the agency's hiring criteria.

Important information: As of the date of this posting, the Washington State Department of Licensing has stopped processing all non-domicile commercial learner permit and commercial driver's license transactions. Please refer to their website for the most up to date information.

To apply:

We would love for you to apply! Please submit a complete application online at www.intercitytransit.com/employment. All applications must include at least 10 years of work/military/school history or an acknowledgement of limited work experience in the application. Incomplete applications will be disqualified, and you will have to re-apply with a complete application to be considered. Intercity Transit's preferred method of communication is via email, so an accurate and active email address is essential!

Hiring Process:

You must submit a complete application, meet the required qualifications, and pass a preliminary driving record check to move forward in the process. All applicants that meet those requirements will be invited to complete a Transit Operator Exam. Transit Operator Exams will be held on Saturday, 10/17 and Thursday, 11/12. Applicants that pass the Transit Operator Exam will be invited to schedule an in-person interview after successfully passing a 5-year driving record review. Interviews are scheduled for Monday, December 7, 2026 - Friday, December 11, 2026.

This recruitment will remain open until 4:30 PM on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

If you have questions about the position or hiring process, please reach out to Hannah Toulme at [e-mail].

Intercity Transit is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer and strives to provide a culturally diverse workforce. Intercity Transit does not discriminate in employment or service on the basis of race, creed, color, origin, age, sex, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability.

This position is classified as safety-sensitive under Intercity Transit's Drug and Alcohol Policy and is included in the random drug and alcohol testing program. We are subject to the requirements of the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and CFR Part 40 & Part 655, which prohibits the use of marijuana at any time while employed by Intercity Transit.

Note that, if hired, union seniority is determined by date/time application was received.