Full-Time Transit Bus Operator

City of Pueblo - Police Department; Pueblo County (CO); On-site; USD 36,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Vacation/holiday/sick leave

Medical/dental/vision/Life insurance

PERA retirement

Job summary

Pueblo Transit is seeking a non-exempt full-time Bus Operator to safely operate the fixed-route transit system under the Transit Operations Supervisor. The role involves interacting with passengers, adhering to all traffic laws, and performing pre/post trip inspections and incident reporting.

Applicants must hold a valid Class B CDL with Passenger and Air Brake Endorsements and be able to comply with DOT and ADA requirements. The position includes comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• A valid Class B CDL with Passenger and Air Brake endorsements; Colorado CDL required on appointment.
• License restrictions affecting driving may disqualify.

Responsibilities

• Operates transit bus in revenue/non-revenue service in compliance with policies and traffic laws.
• Conducts pre-trip inspections and post-trip checks; reports lost items.
• Provides courteous customer service and information via announcements and PA system.
• Operates farebox and manages bus passes; records passenger counts as needed.
• Ensures ADA accessibility, securement of disabled passengers, and proper lift operation.

Skills

Pre/post trip inspection

Defensive driving

Customer service

Map reading

ADA assistance

Fare handling

Multitasking

Punctuality

Interpersonal skills

Policy compliance

Education

High School Diploma or GED

CDL Class B with Passenger + Air Brake Endorsement

Colorado CDL validity

Job description

Descriptive Statement

This is a non-exempt full-time position under the direct supervision of the Transit Operations Supervisor. The Full-Time Bus Operator position requires the ability to interact with passengers and other company employees on a regular basis and have knowledge of transit operations. Under direction, safely and efficiently operates company fleet to provide fixed route transportation services. May perform duties of similar classification of an equal or lower pay grade as required.

Descriptive Statement

This is a non-exempt full-time position under the direct supervision of the Transit Operations Supervisor. The Full-Time Bus Operator position requires the ability to interact with passengers and other company employees on a regular basis and have knowledge of transit operations. Under direction, safely and efficiently operates company fleet to provide fixed route transportation services. May perform duties of similar classification of an equal or lower pay grade as required.

This job description is an overview and is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the functions and tasks required of the position.

Duties & Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conducts self in an appropriate manner as a representative of Pueblo Transit, working effectively in a diverse work environment, using prudent judgment at all times, performing duties in a safe manner, and assuring professional quality of services to all external and internal customers
• Operates transit bus in revenue and non-revenue service while in strict compliance with Pueblo Transit policies, directives, and procedures and all Federal and Colorado traffic laws and regulations including use of proper defensive driving techniques
• Maintains working knowledge of streets, current bus routes and stops within the city as well as Pueblo Transit's current fare structure and bus pass programs
• Maintains current knowledge of and adherence to all Pueblo Transit operating policies, directives, and procedures
• Maintains current knowledge of and is in strict compliance with Federal and Colorado traffic laws and regulations as well as Department of Transportation (DOT) rules and regulations
• Performs Pueblo Transit pre-trip inspection of transit bus for mechanical problems prior to beginning scheduled run. This includes conducting an external/internal visual inspection of the transit bus and pre-testing all necessary equipment, operating/safety devices, and transit bus controls for use while in service. Also conducts an internal visual inspection at the end of revenue service to collect and turn-in lost items.
• Completes accident and incident reports accurately and legibly as necessary at the end of scheduled shifts
• Provides customer service information in a courteous, professional manner. This includes operating the automated stop announcements system and/or stating stop and public information announcements over the public address system, and properly answering questions and solving transit-related concerns of passengers
• Operates farebox, inspects various bus passes, and distributes and collects bus transfer slips in a professional, courteous manner. Also records and maintains passenger counts as necessary
• Complies with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) in operating the transit bus. This includes providing accessibility for disabled passengers to board and de-board by properly operating the accessibility lift and safely securing such passengers in a courteous manner, announcing designated stops, and pre-testing all passenger accessibility lifts and equipment during pre-trip inspections

Important Functions

• Maintain, read and understand route sheets including time changes
• For passengers with disabilities: must have the have the ability to provide assistance with securing wheelchair, provide assistance with boarding and exiting, provide guidance as needed
• Operate two-way communication equipment correctly and according to company policy
• Inspect vehicles before each trip using correct procedures and according to company policy
• Successfully complete driving skills evaluation
• Follows all safety policies and procedures
• Must maintain good attendance
• Read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand traffic signs and signals and to comprehend written instructions and standard operating procedures, notices, or memos

Physical Requirements

• Lift, carry, push, or pull equipment and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds
• Good speech communication, hearing, and listening for effective communication with others
• Pass a DOT physical?
• Pass drug and alcohol screening
• Good vision, depth perception, peripheral vision, distance vision, and color perception as is required to drive a motorized vehicle
• Possess a full range of sense of hearing, including tone, pitch, and volume, when operating a transit vehicle, using two-way radio, and assisting passengers and public
• Use of manual dexterity in order to perform the basic functions of the keypad
• Reach, grasp, bend, squat and use multiple objects, which include but are not limited to: a two-way radio, door control, steering wheel, wheelchair lift control, and bus door control
• Sit while operating the vehicle approximately 75% of the workday. The remainder 25% of the workday will require the Bus Operator to move both in the internal and exterior perimeters of the vehicle. This will include the performance of a pre & post trip inspection of the vehicle by walking around and through the vehicle
• Bend, stoop/kneel to assist passengers in boarding and securing wheelchairs/scooters and/or to retrieve equipment

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge, skill, and ability to perform pre & post trip inspection of the bus prior to operation as require by FMC (Federal Motor Carrier)
• Knowledge of State and local traffic laws, ordinances, and regulations involved in the operation of vehicles
• Knowledge of vehicle safety rules and regulations
• Knowledge of major land marks and businesses in Pueblo
• Skill and ability to provide excellent customer service and deescalate stressful situations
• Ability to read a map
• Ability to assist passengers with loading and unloading bicycles on bus bike racks
• Ability to handle passenger fares
• Ability to understand basic time concepts
• Ability to multitask
• Ability to deal with moderate levels of stress including transit operation situations, being on time, irate passengers, other employees
• Ability to learn, to interpret, and to apply company policies and work independently without immediate and constant supervision
• Ability to maintain a good working relationship with all coworkers and the general public and to use good judgment in recognizing scope of authority
• Ability to assist with loading and unloading ADA passengers
• Ability to communicate orally, and in writing, in an effective manner with a variety of individuals
• Ability to adapt readily to transit operations and make decisions on bus operations as necessary
• Ability to be punctual and provide good attendance
• Ability to perform all the job duties in a safe manner

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• A valid Class B, unrestricted, Commercial Driver’s License, with Passenger and Air Brake Endorsement at the time of application and a valid Colorado Commercial Driver’s license at the time of appointment
• License restrictions that may hinder your ability to drive on Pueblo Transit business, such as an interlock, will be cause for disqualification
• During the course of employment, a valid license must be maintained, and the employee must notify Pueblo Transit immediately upon changes to the status of their license

Special Conditions Of Employment

• Be subject to wet, cold, and/or hot conditions
• Be subject to vehicle noise and vibration while operating transit vehicles
• Be subject to vehicle exhaust fumes and odors, and road dusts and mist
• Must be able to work day and night hours, including weekends and holidays
• Must be able to pass and maintain Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination, background check, drug test and possess a clean Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
• Position is included in the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Local #662 union bargaining unit for Pueblo Transit. All employees are covered by the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the ATU, as a condition of employment, you must become members of the ATU and pay membership dues, no later than the 30th day following employment
• All required licenses must be maintained throughout the term of employment. Failure to obtain or maintain licenses may result in demotion or termination.

Due to Federal and State Criminal Justice System access requirements, classifications that access and maintain criminal justice information may also be required, as a condition of employment, to not have been convicted of and/or have pending charges of a felony or misdemeanor crime that would deny or otherwise restrict access to criminal justice information. This requirement applies to all existing employees as well as external candidates seeking to fill positions that meet the given criteria.

BENEFITS

The City of Pueblo offers a very rich benefits packet! Click on the “Benefits” hyperlink at the top of this (online) job posting to view a summary of the benefits associated with this position. For a more comprehensive view on the lush benefits offered by the City, please go to www.pueblo.us/benefits.

Pueblo Transit offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. Our retirement plan is through Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association.