RTS Bus Washer

Regional Transit Service; City of Rochester (NY); On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

On-site Wellness Center

Pension Plan

NYS Deferred Compensation Plan

Weekly Pay

Employee Assistance Program

Well-Being Program

Job summary

Regional Transit Service in Rochester, NY seeks a Bus Washer to keep RTS buses clean, safe, fueled, and ready for daily service. The role supports a safe, reliable transit experience by maintaining appearance and readiness of the fleet.

Schedule is evenings, 5:30 PM–2:00 AM with variable days and weekend shifts; union position with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 282. Work assignments are made by seniority and procedures emphasize safety and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Valid New York State driver's license.
• Ability to obtain a Class B permit with passenger endorsement and no air brake restriction prior to start date.
• Clean driving record.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• Dependable, punctual, and honest.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.

Responsibilities

• Perform thorough exterior and interior cleaning of buses to meet health, safety, and appearance standards.
• Sanitize high-touch surfaces to promote passenger health and safety.
• Operate automated and manual bus washing equipment, including pressure washers, scrubbers, and vacuums.
• Refuel buses following established safety procedures.
• Check and maintain oil, coolant, windshield washer fluid, and other essential fluid levels.
• Document and report maintenance concerns or fluid discrepancies.
• Safely maneuver and park buses in designated locations on the RTS campus.
• Ensure buses are positioned and prepared for scheduled service.
• Follow all safety procedures and wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Inspect equipment prior to use and report safety hazards or equipment malfunctions.
• Work collaboratively with maintenance personnel to meet daily service deadlines.
• Communicate operational or safety concerns with supervisors and coworkers.
• Assist with training new employees as needed.
• Complete Bus Placer responsibilities on a fill-in basis, including directing bus placement, communicating bus locations, and utilizing computer-assisted systems.
• Maintain accurate records of completed work.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Customer service

Attention to detail

Safe equipment operation

Time management

Teamwork

Effective communication

Basic computer skills

Problem solving

Dependability

Workplace safety

Job description

Bus Washer

Reports To: Manager, Fleet Maintenance
Compensation: $21.42 per hour

Make an Impact at RTS

At RTS, we connect our community to the people, places, and opportunities that matter most.

Why Join RTS?

Staying Healthy

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• On-site 24/7 Wellness Center

Feeling Secure

• Pension Plan
• NYS Deferred Compensation Plan

Work-Life Balance

• Weekly Pay
• Employee Assistance Program (Counseling, Health Advocacy, Financial & Legal Consultation, Health Coaching, Virtual Concierge, Employee Discounts)
• Well-Being Program

About the Role

The Bus Washer plays a critical role in ensuring RTS buses are clean, safe, fueled, and ready for daily service. This position supports our commitment to providing customers with a safe, reliable, and positive transit experience by maintaining the appearance and operational readiness of our fleet.

Schedule: Evening shift, 5:30 PM-2:00 AM. Days off vary. Set schedules are based on operational needs and staffing availability and cannot be guaranteed. Candidates must be available to work weekends, including at least one weekend day.

This is a union position associated with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 282. Work assignments, schedules, and days off are selected by seniority.

What You'll Do

• Perform thorough exterior and interior cleaning of buses to meet health, safety, and appearance standards.
• Sanitize high-touch surfaces to promote passenger health and safety.
• Operate automated and manual bus washing equipment, including pressure washers, scrubbers, and vacuums.
• Refuel buses following established safety procedures.
• Check and maintain oil, coolant, windshield washer fluid, and other essential fluid levels.
• Document and report maintenance concerns or fluid discrepancies.
• Safely maneuver and park buses in designated locations on the RTS campus.
• Ensure buses are positioned and prepared for scheduled service.
• Follow all safety procedures and wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Inspect equipment prior to use and report safety hazards or equipment malfunctions.
• Work collaboratively with maintenance personnel to meet daily service deadlines.
• Communicate operational or safety concerns with supervisors and coworkers.
• Assist with training new employees as needed.
• Complete Bus Placer responsibilities on a fill-in basis, including directing bus placement, communicating bus locations, and utilizing computer-assisted systems.
• Maintain accurate records of completed work.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Valid New York State driver's license.
• Ability to obtain a Class B permit with passenger endorsement and no air brake restriction prior to start date.
• Clean driving record.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• Dependable, punctual, and honest.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Customer service orientation
• Strong attention to detail
• Safe equipment operation
• Time management
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Effective communication
• Basic computer skills
• Problem solving
• Dependability
• Commitment to workplace safety

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

Work is performed indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold. The position requires frequent standing, walking, bending, squatting, crouching, kneeling, stretching, climbing in and out of buses, and lifting up to 50 pounds. Employees must be able to work safely in wet, slippery, noisy, dimly lit, and confined environments while maintaining awareness of surrounding vehicle traffic and moving equipment.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA) is committed to equal opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship and/or immigration status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal or state law. RGRTA will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.

Pursuant to Federal Transit Administration regulations, all applicants for employment in safety-sensitive positions must be given a pre-employment drug test. An applicant may not be assigned safety-sensitive functions unless the individual has a verified negative test result. RTS is required by law to test for various substances, including cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, PCP, and marijuana metabolites. Please be advised that marijuana can remain in the system for an extended period of time, sometimes more than 30 days, and may result in a positive test long after use.