Safety and Training Instructor, Grade N19

Montgomery County (MD); Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 67,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Montgomery County Government seeks a Safety and Training Instructor for the Department of Transportation. The role delivers classroom and on‑road training for bus operators and operations staff, ensuring compliance with safety standards and ADA procedures.

The ideal candidate holds a valid CDL and has experience in driving, instruction, and adult education, with flexibility for rotating shifts and offsite training as needed.

Qualifications

• CDL required with passenger and air brake endorsements.
• Two years as a transit Bus Operator with Class B license and good driving record, plus one year in a training role.
• Graduation from high school or equivalent recognised in Maryland.

Responsibilities

• Deliver, coordinate, and evaluate safety and operations training for bus operators and staff.
• Plan, conduct, and document classroom and on‑road instruction and refreshers.
• Lead safety audits, coaching, and post‑training evaluations.
• Maintain training content, manuals, and onboarding processes; track completion.

Skills

CDL (Commercial Driver's License)

Training delivery

Adult learning principles

Safety awareness

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

Computer-based tools

Job description

This Position is ONLY Open to Montgomery County Government Employees:

1. Current Montgomery County Government employees;
2. Montgomery County employees who were affected by a reduction-in-force and currently have RIF priority rights;
3. Active Montgomery County local fire and rescue department volunteers with at least 50 points under the length of service award program (LOSAP); or
4. Active Project SEARCH Interns or former Montgomery County Government Customized Employment Public Interns, or Project SEARCH Interns within 24 months of completion of internship.

Please note: The salary range above represents the earning potential for this position. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be $66,793 to $95,024, based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

WHO WE ARE

The mission of the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is to move people and connect places with seamless, equitable transportation options that are safe, environmentally responsible, and support economic growth and vibrancy in Montgomery County. The Department has five divisions; these include Highway Services, Parking Management, Transit Services, Traffic Engineering and Operations, and Transportation Engineering. We are a large organization with over 1,200 employees and a dedicated County budget of $300 million.

The Division of Transit Services coordinates transit services in Montgomery County. Transit accomplishes an essential mobility mission of the County, connecting people, communities, workplaces, educational institutions, recreational opportunities, and many other essential destinations. The Division employs 850+ people and operates nearly 400 buses on 80+ fixed routes throughout Montgomery County. The Division plans, schedules, and manages the County's Ride On bus system, consisting of County-owned and operated buses. Ride On carries roughly 18 million riders annually.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking a highly responsive, detail-oriented Safety and Training Instructor with excellent oral and written communication skills, an understanding of adult learning principles, and solid knowledge of transit operations. The ideal candidate holds a valid CDL and excels at planning, coordinating, and delivering both classroom and on-road instruction. This individual is proficient in using computer-based tools, accurately documenting training activities, and ensuring that all learning programs align with established safety standards, operational guidelines, and best practices in adult education.

The ideal candidate MUST have a valid Commercial Driver’s License.

The selected employee will deliver, coordinate, and evaluate comprehensive safety and operations training for new bus operators and other operations staff. This includes classroom instruction, hands‑on coaching, refresher and remedial training, safety audits, and continuous improvement activities that support safe, consistent, and customer‑focused transit service. The role requires flexibility in schedule and training location based on operational needs, adaptability in responding to changing priorities, and openness to feedback to continuously enhance training effectiveness and support Transit Services.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Supervise and document trainee progress, provide coaching, and recommend continuation or removal based on evaluation results.
• Train operators and operations staff in defensive driving, safe vehicle operation, equipment use, pre‑trip and post‑trip inspections, customer service, communication protocols, and County rules and procedures.
• Develop and deliver classroom and hands‑on instruction covering safe passenger transport, ADA securement procedures, emergency response, accident and incident reporting, and vehicle breakdown protocols.
• Deliver refresher training covering defensive driving, safe work methods, customer service, security procedures, emergency response, hazardous conditions, accessibility equipment, evacuation protocols, and hands‑on vehicle orientation.
• Provide one‑on‑one coaching to reinforce driving skills, strengthen safe work behaviors, and promote consistent operating practices.
• Lead monthly safety meetings and updating safety boards, materials, charts, and communications.
• Deliver follow‑up training after accidents or injuries to prevent recurrence and support corrective action plans.
• Perform safety audits, including road behavior reviews, uniform inspections, facility checks, and customer service observations.
• Contribute recommendations for trainee and operator performance evaluations.
• Support onboarding, retraining, operator wellness initiatives, and system‑based training such as Clever, route familiarization, and new vehicle types.
• Assist and develop new training content, updating manuals and job aids, tracking training completion, and enhancing onboarding processes.
• Collaborate with Operations and Safety teams on training needs, accident trends, and continuous improvement strategies.
• Performs related duties as required.

Additional Information

Essential: The individual selected for this position will be considered an “Essential Employee.” Essential employees must report to work during a period of general emergency or liberal leave. The individual selected is REQUIRED to work overtime during inclement weather situations and emergencies, which may include overnight stays.

Work Schedule: The candidate must be able to work rotating shifts on weekdays and weekends.

Offsite Work: The candidate must be able to work off‑site.

Experience

Two (2) years experience as a transit Bus Operator with a Class "B" (or equivalent) Commercial Driver’s License with both air brake and passenger endorsements and a current safe driving record as determined by the Department and one (1) year of experience in a training environment.

Education

Graduation from high school or High School Certificate of completion recognized in the State of Maryland.

Equivalency

None.

Other

Applicants must be 21 years of age as of first day of employment in this position with Montgomery County Government.

License

Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid Class “B” (or equivalent) commercial driver’s license with a passenger and air brake endorsement and a valid DOT card issued by the applicant’s state of residence.

Medical Protocol

This position requires successful completion of a pre‑employment medical evaluation, including a physical examination and drug screening.

The applications of those individuals meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed to determine the extent, relevance of training, and experience in the following areas:

• Experience delivering transit-related training programs, including defensive driving, passenger safety, ADA securement, and emergency response.

Interview selection will be based on the following interview preference criteria:

• Experience coordinating cross department training efforts with Operations, Safety, or HR teams.
• Strong organizational skills, including documentation, reporting, and tracking training completion and performance outcomes.