Substitute Bus Driver, Transportation I, II

Tri Valley Opportunity Council, Inc.; Minnesota; On-site; USD 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. is seeking a Bus Driver to transport passengers safely on scheduled routes while providing exceptional customer service. The role includes operating the wheelchair lift, assisting passengers, and enforcing safety policies.

The position requires three years of driving experience, PASS training, a valid license (CDL with Passenger Endorsement for Bus Driver II), and compliance with drug and background checks. Training and meetings are part of the role.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of driving experience.
• PASS training and wheelchair observation required on hire.
• Acceptable MVR and background results throughout employment.
• FTA pre-employment drug screening and ongoing testing required.
• Minimum age 21 for cross-state driving where applicable.
• Bus Driver I may require standard license; Bus Driver II requires CDL with Passenger Endorsement.

Responsibilities

• Safely transports passengers to destinations on scheduled routes.
• Maintain customer-friendly, professional conduct with the public.
• Operate wheelchair lift and secure passengers as trained.
• Assist ambulatory passengers and those with walkers or carts as needed.
• Enforce passenger policies and ensure a safe environment.
• Recordkeeping and daily/monthly reporting as required.
• Report delays or issues to Route Coordinator and adapt as needed.
• Complete training, paperwork, and attend mandated meetings.

Skills

Customer service

Safety awareness

Driver experience

Tools

CDL with Passenger Endorsement

Job description

SUMMARY OF PRIMARY FUNCTION

The Bus Driver position has primary responsibility for the safety of passengers transported by the Tri-Valley Heartland Express Bus. The Bus Driver position has considerable contact and interaction with the public, requiring exceptional positive and professional customer service skills. Other duties include but are not limited to inspecting and maintaining the safety and cleanliness of the bus, applicable paperwork, marketing program services, answering customer questions and collecting fares.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Daily Operations

1. Positively and professionally represents Tri-Valley Heartland Express and Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc., showing respect and appreciation to clients and the general public.
2. Acts as a positive and professional role model for peers; working as a team to help each other learn and succeed. Is respectful of co-workers; appreciating their contribution to the success of daily operations and Transportation programs overall.
3. Mentors and assists with training substitute and new drivers.
4. Safely transports passengers to their destination; maintaining specified routes and destinations as scheduled. Adheres to passenger pick-ups and drop-offs as closely as possible.
5. Safely operates the wheelchair lift as needed; properly securing passengers in wheelchair securement area, as trained.
6. Safely assists ambulatory passengers with walkers or folding carts on and off the bus as needed.
7. Assists passengers on and off the bus as needed.
8. Advises all passengers to be seated and use seatbelts provided.
9. Respectfully enforces passenger policies, maintaining a safe and positive environment.
10. Effectively operates the communication equipment, maintaining positive, respectful, and appropriate communication at all times.
11. Immediately reports delays of any kind to the Route Coordinator or designee to adapt route and/or communication with customers as appropriate.
12. Completes records and reports on a daily and monthly basis, as needed.
13. Completes training, paperwork and attends meetings as requested by supervisor.

Public Relations and Marketing

1. Performs public relations and marketing duties to increase ridership and public awareness.
2. Responsible for assisting with depositing or exchanging fare boxes.
3. Sells tickets and collects fees

Safety - Compliance

1. Remains alert and always focused on driving; is aware of potential weather and/or driving conditions that may affect the safety of passengers and route schedule.
2. Performs Pre-Trip and Post-Trip Vehicle Safety Inspections according to inspect before each starting route and again when route is finished. Promptly reports vehicle problems to the Transportation Fleet Supervisor.
3. Immediately reports vehicle accidents, regardless of damage, break downs, and passenger accident/incidents to the Transportation Program Manager, and Transit Route Coordinator to minimize disruption to scheduled services.
4. Immediately reports employee injuries of any kind to Transportation Program Manager and completes a worker's compensation accident report form as soon as possible, no later than the end of the shift.
5. Participates in mandatory Drug and Alcohol training; complies with required and requested testing. Ensures vehicle is compliant with MN/DOT regulations regarding; fire extinguisher, spill kit, first aid kit, flashlight and securements in addition to the pre/post trip inspection. Is aware of safety equipment on bus and responsible to safely use as needed.
6. Complies with traffic laws and regulations.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

1. Current Medical Examination Card; upon hire and maintain thereafter.
2. Minimum age of 21 years, if required to drive bus across state line.
3. Pass FTA pre-employment drug screening upon hire. Participate in subsequent FTA drug/alcohol testing.
4. Acceptable background results upon hire and continuously meet requirements thereafter.
5. Acceptable MVR results upon hire, and annually thereafter.
6. Minimum of three years of driving experience.
7. Pass Passenger Assistance Safety and Sensitivity (PASS) training and wheelchair observation provided upon hire; must pass to continue employment.

Bus Driver I: Valid Driver's License; upon hire and maintain thereafter.

Bus Driver II: Valid Commercial Driver's License with Passenger Endorsement; upon hire and maintain thereafter.

Don’t Meet the Requirements

• Up to 10 hours of entry level driver training and classroom instruction to pass the written CDL with passenger endorsement test and to administer the ELDT knowledge test.
• Up to 30 hours of 1:1 training time to learn and practice driving with a Tri-Valley bus.
• Up to 15 hours of ride along training time to observe qualified drivers on the job.
• Bus and driver to take the behind the wheel test.

Wage for an unqualified bus driver: $21.75/hour