TRANSIT OPERATOR

Helena, City of (MT); Helena (MT); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Helena seeks a Transit Operator/Dispatcher to keep our city moving safely and efficiently. You’ll drive, dispatch, and provide admin support, under the Transit Manager. This role blends on‑road duties with behind‑the‑scenes tasks and requires a safety‑minded multitasker ready for varied days.

Essential qualifications include a CDL with passenger endorsement and a HS diploma. Dispatching experience is preferred, and willingness to work flexible shifts is needed.

Qualifications

• CDL with passenger endorsement required.
• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Dispatching/scheduling experience in public transit preferred (1 year).

Responsibilities

• Operate transit bus safely; perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections; ensure passenger safety and fare compliance.
• Dispatch city transit services using a computerized scheduling system and coordinate with management.
• Perform general facility maintenance and support transit operations as needed.

Skills

Safe driving principles

Customer service

Reading maps/schedules

Communication

Education

High School or equivalent

Tools

2-way radios

Computers/Tablets

Job description

Ready to drive community impact while mastering the art of logistics? As a Transit Operator & Dispatcher, you will play a vital role in keeping our city moving safely and efficiently. Under the guidance of the Transit Manager, this dynamic, dual-impact role lets you shift gears between navigating local streets and anchoring behind-the-scenes operations.

Whether you are behind the wheel providing safe, accessible transport for our neighbors or in the office managing financial and secretarial support, you will be the face and voice of our public transit system. If you are a safety-minded multitasker who thrives on variety, this is your chance to steer your career in an exciting new direction.

Key Responsibilities

• Navigate city traffic safely while adhering to all traffic laws and local policies.
• Assist passengers with disabilities and collect fares with a customer-first attitude.
• Monitor weather, road conditions, and passenger safety in real time.
• Provide administrative, financial, and organizational support for transit functions.
• Adapt flexibly to shift between driving, dispatching, or administrative duties as needed.

Duty 1: Operate Transit Bus

85%

Essential

Tasks:

• Performs pre-trip and post-trip operational inspections; reports mechanical repair items needed for safe operations; reports passenger emergencies or incidents which affect the safety of passengers; and completes all required documentation for all situations. Reports any mechanical problem immediately.
• Safely and efficiently operate transit vehicles and their appurtenances in a safe, proficient manner including fare boxes, wheelchair lifts, radio, and emergency equipment. Assure the cleanliness of the interior and seating area.
• Comply with all cities, state, and federal traffic rules regulations, laws, and procedures for the safe operation of a transit bus.
• Assist persons with disabilities onto and off the wheelchair lift, operate lift/ramp, and secure wheelchairs as required.
• Actively participate in the reporting of safety issues and concerns that are observed during essential job functions. Participates in staff development and in-service training programs as assigned and attends scheduled safety meetings and safety programs.
• Provide information in a courteous manner to passengers regarding routes, schedules, transfers, and fares.
• Assure passengers pay fare, deduct from bus pass or online account before providing trip andmonitor Fare boxes.
• Effectively utilize electronic devices provided to manage manifests, and other information, to follow routes and meet time points. Coordinate detour, accident, and incident information to radio dispatch, and respond to instructions given.
• File necessary reports in case of an accident or incident with assigned vehicle or an injury to passengers the operator. Submit verbal and written reports on accidents or incidents required before the end of the day of the accident or incident.

Duty 2: Dispatching

10%

Essential

Tasks:

• Serves as a dispatcher for the City’s public transit system utilizing a computerized scheduling system.
• Ensures all services are on time.
• Informs Transit Manager or Transit Coordinator of accidents, forwards customer complaints to Transit Coordinator and/or Transit Manager.
• Interacts with the public to schedule ride requests, sell bus passes, answer questions, record complaints, and share information.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of demand response services and any changes.
• Answer the phone and respond to customers in a professional manner with accurate information.
• Uses independent judgment and personal initiative when performing as a dispatcher.
• Coordinate with law enforcement as necessary to have passengers removed.
• Support management in the implementation and continuous improvement of the transit system and related activities.
• Document and investigate safety issues or concerns directly observed or reported by transit staff or the public. Conduct and document a preliminary review of reported safety issues or concerns.

Duty 3: General Facility Maintenance

5%

Essential

Required to perform manual labor as needed to ensure trash and other debris is cleared from the transit facility, mow grass, shovel snow, trim bushes, pull weeds located on and immediately adjacent to the transit facility property.

Knowledge of

• Safe driving principles and practices.
• Principles and practices used in dealing professionally with the public.
• Procedures to properly secure wheelchairs into vehicles.
• Local geography, streets, points of interest and locations of City offices.
• Operate office equipment, 2-way radios, computers/tablets and applicable software programs.
• Record keeping, prepare reports and basic math for fare collection.
• Federal and State regulations pertaining to CDL with Passenger endorsement.

Skill or ability to

• Operate and/or utilize all standard safety equipment installed in transit passenger vehicles, including safety harnesses, restraints, and any other equipment required by federal, state, or local regulations.
• Conduct and document pre and post trip inspections.
• Read and understand maps and schedules.
• Read, understand, and follow rules and regulations, vehicle operating procedures, vehicle laws, and written and oral instructions.
• Maintain effective working relationships and deal courteously and effectively with the public, fellow employees, and supervisors.
• Be able to work without immediate supervision in the field after completion of the initial training period.
• Operate a wheelchair ramp or lift and assist passengers with disabilities.
• Be punctual and maintain regular, predictable attendance.
• Be available to work a flexible schedule that includes nights, weekends, holidays, working split shifts,

and a reasonable amount of overtime.

Physical Demands

Light strength demands include exerting up to 50 pounds occasionally, or negligible amounts constantly and/or walking or standing to a significant degree. Requires exposure to cold, heat, noise, vibration, chemicals, and mechanical hazards. Continuously requires sitting, handling, vision, foot controls, balancing, hearing, and talking. Frequently requires kneeling and bending. Occasionally requires standing, walking, reaching, crouching, and twisting.

Non-Physical Demands

Frequently requires time pressures, frequent change of tasks, irregular schedule/overtime, performing multiple tasks simultaneously, working closely with others as part of a team, tedious or exacting work, and noisy/distracting environment.

Safety

Performs all functions in the safest possible manner and according to policies and procedures. Participates fully with safety trainings. Reports unsafe work conditions and practices, work-related injuries, illnesses, and near-misses as soon as possible to assigned supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications (Education, Experience and Training)

The position requires at a minimum a valid Commercial Driver License (CDL) with passenger endorsement. One year of dispatching/scheduling experience preferred and must have completed High School or equivalent. Other relevant combinations of education and work experience may be evaluated on an individual basis.

License or Certificate

• Must possess a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with passenger endorsement; Must have acceptable driving record at the time of hire and must obtain a State of Montana (CDL) with passenger endorsement.
• Must obtain a DOT Medical Examiners Certificate prior to starting the position and retain for duration of employment.