Full Time Extra Board Operator Walla Walla, WA 99362 10/16/2026

Valley Transit; Walla Walla (WA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

PERS retirement

Paid vacation

Job summary

Valley Transit seeks a bus operator to safely run passenger buses, trolleys and vans, representing the agency with courtesy and care. The role requires shift work, adherence to safety rules, and excellent customer service while guiding riders and reporting vehicle issues.

Candidate must have a high school diploma or GED, a clean driving record, and obtain a Class B CDL with P endorsement within 21 days. Strong communication and reliability are essential for success.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Possess good public relations skills.
• Be highly motivated and dependable.
• Be friendly and able to work with the public.
• Must obtain Class B CDL with P endorsement within 21 days.

Responsibilities

• Dependable attendance and on-time performance.
• Safe and efficient operation of passenger buses, vans, and other agency vehicles.
• Compliance with all rules, regulations, and policies.
• Adherence to instructions from Road Supervisors and Dispatch.
• Assist mobility-impaired passengers to and from destination.
• Maneuver wheelchairs on and off vehicles and over terrain.
• Daily vehicle inspection and reporting of defects.
• Operate Mobile Data Terminal and complete required reports.
• Maintenance of bus cleanliness on route.
• Schedule adherence, fare collection, transfer issuance, and information for routes.

Skills

Reading comprehension

Written communication

English communication

Two-way radio operation

Safety awareness

Public interaction

General driving experience

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

FLSA Status: Non-exempt hourly employee Hiring Range: $25.69 - $33.25 per hour - Recruitment Target: $25.69/hour

AnticipatedStart Date: November 23, 2026

At Valley Transit our Mission is connecting the Valley by providing safe, efficient, and courteous transportation.

Position Summary

Thisis skilled work in the operation of passenger buses, trolleys, and vans forValley Transit.

Workinvolves responsibility for the safe and efficient operation of passengervehicles. Operators are representativesof the transit system and are required to exercise a high degree of caution andcourtesy. Work is generally performedindependently, reporting to the Road Supervisors.

Transit operatorsperform shift work. Individuals selectedmay be assigned on any day of the week.Shifts include early morning, late night, holidays, community specialevents and emergencies.

Essential Duties andResponsibilities

• Dependable attendance andon-time performance
• Safe and efficient operationof passenger buses, vans, and other agency vehicles
• Compliance with all Federal,State, local and Valley Transit rules, regulations, and policies
• Adherence to instructionsfrom the Road Supervisors and Dispatcher
• Assists mobility-impairedpassengers to and from destination
• Maneuvers wheelchairs on andoff vehicles and over terrain
• Daily vehicle inspection andreporting of any mechanical defects prior to operation
• Operate Mobile Data Terminaland accurately complete required reports
• Maintenance of buscleanliness, as needed, on route
• Schedule adherence, farecollection, transfer issuance, provide accurate information regarding routes,schedules, transfer points, and stops
• Promotion of good passengerrelations
• Performance of related workas required
• Perform all safety andhealth responsibilities for Workgroup Members as detailed in the Public TransitAgency Safety Plan (PTASP).

The omission of specific statements of dutiesabove does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, relatedor a logical assignment to the position.

Knowledge, Skills,and Abilities

• Ability to read and interpret documents suchas safety rules, operating instructions and procedure manuals
• Ability to write accident and incidentreports
• Ability to effectively communicate in Englishwith passengers, employees and supervisors
• Ability to communicate effectively over atwo-way radio system with other bus/van operators, supervisors, and dispatch
• Reasoning Ability: The successful operator will have the ability to solvepractical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situationswhere limited standardization exists.The ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written,oral, diagram or schedule form is required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma orgeneral education degree (GED)
• Possess good publicrelations skills
• Be highly motivated
• Dependable
• Friendly
• Have work experience wherethese skills are utilized

Requirements

• At least 6 years of generaldriving experience legally operating a motor vehicle. Driving record should demonstrate safe andresponsible operation of a motor vehicle.
• Persons selected for theposition must obtain, within 21 days of employment, a Class “B”, State of Washington or Oregon Commercial driver’s license, with endorsement “P” and withairbrake restriction (K) removed.
• A criminal historybackground check will be conducted after a conditional offer of employment.Criminal history information will be evaluated in accordance with applicablelaw.
• The successful applicantwill be required to complete pre-employment tests, including a Department ofTransportation (DOT) physical, drug and alcohol screening or be currentlyemployed as a part-time transit vehicle operator.
• Transit vehicle operatorsare subject to further drug and alcohol testing throughout theiremployment.
• All persons selected forthis position must successfully complete or have completed a new operatortraining program.
• The operator must bephysically able to perform the duties of the position on an irregular workschedule.
• Dependable attendance andon-time performance is required.
• New employees must provideproof of ability to work in the United States per the Immigration Reform andControl Act of 1986.
• Must be able toperform the duties of this safety-sensitive position without imposing an unduerisk of harm to the health and safety of self, other employees, or thepublic. As such, the employee will besubject to random drug and alcohol testing.All employees must abide by Agency policies, rules, andregulations. If a job offer is extended,employment will be conditioned upon successful completion of a pre-employmentphysical including a drug and alcohol test.
• Thisposition will be subject to a 3-month probation period for promotions frompart-time status; 12-month probation period for new employees. However, for newemployees, at the six (6) month review, an employee may request in writing toend their probation sooner than the full 12-month probationary period. Theemployer will consider the probationary employee’s overall performanceutilizing scoring criteria.

WorkingConditions & Environment

Workis performed 60% or more inside a vehicle.The operator is exposed to noise, vibration, engine fumes and inclementweather when assisting passengers outside the vehicle. While performing the duties of this job, theemployee is regularly required to remain seated behind the steering wheel forup to three hours at a time. Under normal conditions, several three tofive-minute breaks can be taken during a shift. The employee is regularlyrequired to stand and walk, use hands and fingers; handle or feel; reach withhands and arms; and talk or hear. Theemployee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and heavier objectsin emergencies such as evacuating a vehicle.Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision,distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and abilityto adjust focus. Operators must be ableto reach vehicle controls, adjust driver’s seat, adjust destination signs, operatewheelchair lift and secure tie-down straps on wheelchairs in company vehiclesin the proper manner. Must be able tomaneuver passengers in wheelchairs on and off vehicles and over curbs and otherlow objects. Spoken communication viatwo-way radio is required. Must be ableto work independently, as well as use good judgment in emergencysituations. This position requiresdealing with the public and other employees in a positive manner that generatesgoodwill for Valley Transit and teamwork among employees.

Employeesworking in this job classification are represented by the Amalgamated TransitUnion and are subject to agency shop rules.

Valley Transitprovides “employee-only” fully paid premiums for medical, dental, life andlong-term disability through the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB).Qualifying dependents may be enrolled at the employee’s expense; these premiumsare determined annually subject to the Employer Contribution Cap and EmployerPooling Assistance. A $24,000 Basic Life insurance policy is provided throughthe Washington Counties Insurance Fund. Employer and employee contributions aremade to the State of Washington Public Employees Retirement System (PERS).Employees have the option to enroll in the State of Washington Department ofRetirement System’s deferred Compensation program. Employees also have theoption to enroll in additional benefits which include Employee-Paid Long-Term Disability,Employee-Paid Flexible Benefits through American Family Life Assurance Company(AFLAC) and additional Employee-Paid Life Insurance coverage through MetLife.

Valley Transit Paid Vacation for Extra Board employees accrues at arate of .046150 per eligible paid hour; the accrual rate increases withcontinuous employment. All employees are eligible to accrue Washington PaidSick Leave at a rate of 1 hour for every 40 hours worked, in addition,employees will accrue Valley Transit Paid Sick Leave at a rate of .02115 pereligible paid hour. In addition, Extra Board employees will accrue HolidayLeave at a rate of .023077 per eligible paid hour and Floating Holiday Leavewill accrue at a rate of .011538 per eligible paid hour both accrual ratesincrease with continuous employment.

Valley Transitprovides limited reimbursement for the purchase of job-related clothing andsupplies depending on the job classification.

Thisjob description is not an employment agreement or contract.
Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.