Transit Bus Operator - Mass Transit Department (New Hourly Rate)

Escambia County; Pensacola (FL); On-site; USD 23,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

FreshDirect LLC seeks an experienced bus driver to operate coach buses within the assigned routes, ensuring safety and timely service. The role requires a Class B CDL with air brakes and passenger endorsements, plus a 21+ age minimum and a high school diploma or GED.

The position includes daily pre/post trip inspections, helping passengers, handling fare boxes, and submitting routine reports. A mandatory drug test applies and employment is full-time in Pensacola, FL.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Equivalent (G.E.D.)
• Must be 21 years of age at time of employment
• Valid driver's license from state of residence
• CDL Class B with air brakes and passenger endorsements
• KSAOs include safety, customer service, and communication

Responsibilities

• Drive coach/buses safely on assigned routes and maintain schedule
• Perform pre/post trip inspections and report issues
• Assist boarding of passengers, including mobility devices, and secure wheelchairs
• Notify dispatch of deviations or vehicle problems
• Complete reports on passengers and incidents
• Operate onboard fare boxes and destination signs

Skills

Safe driving practices

Customer service

Communication

Attendance reliability

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

CDL Class B with air brakes

Passenger endorsements

Job description

• Location 221 PALAFOX PLACE,SUITE 140,Pensacola, FL, 32502,United States
• Base Pay $20.37 / Hour
• Job Category Public Transportation, CDL Drivers
• Industry Local Government, State Government, Public Transportation
• Employee Type Full-Time

**Close Date: April 30th, 2027**

This class drives and maintains the appearance of the interior of the bus and provides safe, reliable, and efficient transportation.

This is a "mandatory-testing" position that requires Drug Testing.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Drives one of several different coach/buses or company non-revenue vehicles in a safe, courteous, and reliable manner throughout the contracted service area within a daily assigned time schedule
• Maintains a strong attendance record
• Performs pre/post trip vehicle inspections as required
• Possess a functional knowledge of the demographics of the service area
• Stops at designated points to load and/or unload passengers
• May assist in the boarding of passengers using wheelchairs or other mobility aids and is required to properly secure wheelchairs and scooters
• Notifies dispatch of deviations, overload, accidents, passenger incidents, medical/behavioral problems, or bus mechanical/electrical trouble
• Assures that fares are deposited into the fare box and dispenses information
• Advises passengers of rules and regulations when necessary
• Completes and submits written reports concerning passengers and all accidents
• Operates on-board computer fare boxes and destination signs
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level

TYPICAL QUALIFICATION

Minimum Qualifications

Training and Experience:

High School Diploma or Equivalent (G.E.D.)

Must be 21 years of age at the time of employment

Licenses and Certifications:

• Must possess a valid driver's license from state of residence
• Must possess a Class "B" Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with air brakes and passenger endorsements

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics (KSAOs):

• Occupational hazards and safety precautions
• Safe driving practices
• Providing customer service
• Caring for and operating buses and vehicles and applicable equipment
• Communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction
• Verbally communicate with passengers and dispatchers/road supervisors, including use of a 2-way radio and PA system

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

County-wide Employee Responsibilities:

All Escambia County BCC employees must serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity in full accord with the letter and spirit of Escambia County BCC's Employee Code of Ethics, gift, and conflict of interest policies.

All Escambia County BCC employees must establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, co-workers, elected and appointed officials and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, familial status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or gender identity and expression.

Emergency Management Responsibilities:

During emergency conditions, the incumbent of this position will automatically be considered an emergency service worker. This employee is subject to being called to work in the event of a disaster, such as a hurricane, or other emergency situation and is expected to perform emergency service duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

• Positions in this class typically require: balancing, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, finger and hand dexterity as well as repetitive motions.
• Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, fumes, odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation, chemicals, extreme temperatures, and intense noises.

Possess excellent or corrected vision to allow operator to have the ability to read and comprehend written material. Must have good 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 transit vehicle, using 2-way radio, and assisting passengers and public.

Must have good manual dexterity in order to perform the basic functions of the MDT keypad. Required to reach, grasp, and use multiple objects which include but are not limited to: a 2-way radio, door control, PA microphone, steering wheel, wheelchair lift control, and bus door control.

Required to sit while operating vehicle approximately 75% of the work day. The remaining 25% of the day will require the operator to move both in the internal and exterior perimeters of the bus, including a pre-trip inspection of the vehicle by walking around and through the vehicle.