Motor Coach Operator Trainee

City of Santa Monica; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits

Training opportunities

Job summary

The City of Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus is hiring Motor Coach Operators who are customer-focused and safety-minded. You will operate a motor coach on assigned routes, complete training, and promote safe, on-time service for thousands of riders daily.

Entry starts as a Trainee with eight weeks of formal training at $25.00 per hour, advancing to Part-time Operator at salary steps up to $39.40 per hour after training, with a one-year probationary period and company-paid benefits and training

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; must be 21+ years old at time of application.
• One year of recent, paid customer service experience.
• Possession of a valid California Class C driver license with at least two years of continuous safe driving; prior to training, must obtain a California Class A or B permit with required medical certification and passenger endorsement.

Responsibilities

• Learn to operate a motor coach safely and properly.
• Provide directions and information to the public concerning routes and schedules.
• Complete reports related to operation, accidents, and fare collection.
• Perform pre-operation vehicle checks and maintain appearance of the coach.

Skills

Customer service

Defensive driving

Communication skills

Maps reading

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Join Big Blue Bus - We are looking for customer service and safety-minded Motor Coach Operators to join our growing team.

Blue Awaits You! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra3l6EAo4BA

Looking to steer your career in a new direction? Driving for Big Blue Bus can be a long-lasting career with company-covered benefits and training opportunities. Every day, Big Blue Bus connects thousands of people to new opportunities that await them. As a Motor Coach Operator, you will have a unique opportunity to enrich the lives of our customers, by ensuring they arrive safely and on time to their destinations. Further, you’ll meet new people, be an ambassador for the City of Santa Monica, and experience growth opportunities at every stop! If you enjoy driving, seek real opportunities for career advancement, and are passionate about making a difference in the community, then we invite you to drive Blue.

A Motor Coach Operator operates a motor coach (bus) on an assigned route and schedule. In order to become a Motor Coach Operator, successful candidates must complete an eight-week formal training program as a Motor Coach Operator Trainee after which they are eligible to be promoted from a part-time Motor Coach Operator to a Motor Coach Operator. The training program is administered by the Santa Monica Department of Transportation. During the8-weeks of training, the hourly rate is $25.00. Upon successful completion of the training program, the candidate will advance to the classification of part-time Motor Coach Operator at salary Step 1 ($27.58) and will serve a one-year probationary period.

Motor Coach Operator - Hourly Salary

• Step 1: $27.58
• Step 2: $29.55
• Step 3: $31.52
• Step 4: $33.49
• Step 5: $35.46
• Step 6: $39.40

DEFINITION

Participates in a formal classroom and motor coach operation training program. Motor Coach Operator Trainee is expected to successfully complete the training program as prescribed by the Santa Monica Big Blue Department to be eligible to become a Motor Coach Operator.

SUPERVISION

• Works under close supervision of a Motor Coach Operator Training Coordinator. Detailed instructions are provided. Routine work is performed under direction of a Motor Coach Operator Training Coordinator and/or designee.
• Participates in a formal training program to learn techniques and safety procedures for operating a motor coach.
• Learns and observes traffic laws, vehicle code regulations, and appropriate safety rules and regulations.
• Learns pre-operation vehicle preparation and inspection procedures.
• Learns and practices defensive driving techniques.
• Follows department standards and procedures for maintaining motor coach appearance and cleanliness while in service.
• Operates wheelchair lift and bike rack equipment.
• Provides directions and information to the public concerning routes, schedules, and transfers. Makes stop announcements. Assists passengers, when needed.
• Prepares various reports, including detailed accident reports, daily operation reports, forms for lost articles, and witness/courtesy cards.
• Performs various duties related to fare collection, tariff acceptance, fare box reading and recording, and transfer issuance and receipt.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills

Knowledge of:

• Effective customer service techniques
• Basic mathematics
• Driver and vehicle safety rules and regulations

Ability to:

• Learn to operate a motor coach safely and properly
• Respond to inquiries from the public in a courteous and tactful manner
• Deal effectively with the public
• Work with others in a cooperative, patient, and professional manner
• Follow written and oral instructions
• Perform simple mathematical computations
• Prepare simple reports
• Read maps
• Conduct safety checks
• Communicate on a two-way radio
• Work with persons from diverse social, cultural and economic backgrounds as well as a variety of work styles, personalities, and approaches

Skill in:

• Reading, and writing and communicating in English at an appropriate level
• Driving a passenger vehicle

Education, Training and Experience

Education

• Graduation from high school or the equivalent. Minimum 21 years of age at time of application.

Experience

• One year of recent, paid customer service work experience assisting and providing information to the public.

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession of a valid California Class C driver license with a minimum of two (2) years of continuous safe driving.
• If hired, and prior to the first day of training, must possess a California Class A or B commercial driver permit with appropriate medical certification, passenger endorsement, and with no restrictions for weight, number of passengers or air brakes. Must also be able to obtain a Verification of Transit Training Document at the conclusion of training.

Additional Requirements

• Within the preceding 12 months from the date of application, be involved as a driver in three or more accidents in which the driver caused or contributed to the accidents.
• Within the preceding three years from the date of application, had committed any violation that resulted in a conviction with a DMV 2 Point count or more.
• Within the preceding three years from the date of application, had committed three or more DMV 1 Point count violations.
• Within the preceding three years from the date of application, had driving privileges revoked, suspended, or placed on probation.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed sometimes indoors but regularly outside in seasonal climate and weather conditions. Work may require exposure to odors, fumes, oil and fuel. Drives for prolonged periods of time with no rest period. Heavy city traffic conditions are encountered on a daily basis. Follows a schedule to leave and pick up passengers. Noise from traffic and a two-way radio, slippery surfaces and dust are conditions often encountered. Position requires availability to work variable shifts, weekends, evenings, holidays, on-call and overtime. Physical demands include driving, walking, constant arm and leg movements, and sitting for long periods of time. Stooping, bending and lifting up to 30 lbs may be required. This is a safety sensitive position subject to drug and alcohol testing according to City policy and Federal Transit Administration regulations.

SELECTION PROCESS

All applicants will be reviewed and only those determined to meet Minimum Qualifications, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS

Candidates who have successfully completed all prior phases of the selection process will be subject to a thorough background investigation.

The City of Santa Monica is a progressive, inclusive and culturally-rich community. As leaders in public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a highly-talented workforce where people of diverse races, religions, cultures and lifestyles thrive. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and where their differences make a positive impact.

The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to build balanced teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create a workplace that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our employees. Join us!

Special assistance with the application and examination process is available, upon request, for persons with disabilities. Call [phone], TDD [phone] (Hearing Impaired Only).

Please note the request for reasonable accommodations must be made to Human Resources at least three work days prior to the examination.