Bus Operator

Driver Trainee

Golden Empire Transit District is offering a position with a starting rate of $20.00 per hour and a post-training rate of $21.55 per hour effective after 30 working days of training. This position involves operating a public transit passenger bus in accordance with District schedules and other related programs. The role requires maintaining a safe and orderly environment while providing high-level customer service. The driver trainee will report to the Operations Supervisor(s), Operations Manager, and the Director of Operations and will not have any supervisory responsibilities.

Core competencies include safe driving skills, customer service, communication skills, time management, regulatory compliance, and problem-solving. Essential functions include driving a bus in accordance with para-transit/micro-transit passenger transport programs, complying with DMV requirements, picking up, transporting, and dropping off bus riders, checking vehicles daily to maintain safe operating conditions, reporting equipment malfunctions, ensuring payment of correct fares, providing assistance to passengers, attending safety meetings, operating a two-way bus radio, and completing DMV required Verification of Transit Training annually.

Typical qualifications include a high school diploma or GED equivalent, minimum of 21 years of age, minimum of three years of holding a valid California Driver's License, ability to obtain and maintain a valid Class B California driver's license with passenger and air brake endorsements, ability to obtain and maintain a current CDL medical certificate, and a driving record acceptable to District's insurance underwriter. Additional knowledge and skills include safe driving practices, state and local traffic laws, provisions of the California Motor Vehicle Code, reading, mathematical, and written language skills, customer service principles and practices, ability to drive a bus safely and efficiently, ability to learn a designated bus route, ability to use a two-way radio, ability to recognize malfunctions in equipment and take appropriate actions, ability to recognize hazardous driving conditions and adopt effective courses of action, ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions, ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing, ability to maintain order among the public, ability to work cooperatively with others, ability to learn and effectively deploy de-escalation techniques, and ability to work flexible hours including early mornings, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Physical tasks include prolonged sitting, driving, and steering, with occasional standing, walking, bending, and stooping. Must be able to lift, push, and pull 40 pounds or over. Exposure to extreme cold or extreme heat, working outdoors, exposure to fumes/odors, exposure to dust, exposure to traffic conditions, and risk of vehicle accidents, road construction work, and continued observance of traffic conditions, bikers, children, etc. Reasonable accommodation for qualified candidates with disabilities will be made on a case by case basis.

In the event of a declared emergency or any undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health, and/or safety of the public, GET employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours, and performing work significantly different from the employees' normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency. As Disaster Service Workers, all Golden Empire Transit District employees are expected to remain at work, or to report for work as soon as practicable following a significant emergency or disaster.