Transit Operator

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Transit Operator

Salary

$22.03 - $31.76 Hourly

Location

Lakewood, WA

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

21-00367

Department

Service Delivery and Support

Division

Service Delivery

Opening Date

09/29/2021

Closing Date

11/1/2021 8:00 AM Pacific

Description

Do you enjoy working with people? Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of people right here in your community? Are you looking for a career with a future?

Pierce Transit is now hiring!


Our mission is to connect our communities with safe, reliable, customer-friendly transit options.

Pierce Transit drivers have been assisting people who are on the go in Pierce County for over 35 years.  If you are selected for this role you will receive paid training from the experts who will ensure that you gain hands-on experience and are fully prepared for success.

As a Trainee you will initially be paid at $22.03 per hour. All Trainees start at this step, regardless of prior experience. The pay rate increases quickly! The hourly rate moves to $23.32 upon successful completion of the first three phases of training (10 weeks) when Trainees move to the role of Relief Transit Operator (RTO). After successfully completing the probationary period, (6 months or 1040 hours as an RTO), you will receive $24.14.
 
As Transit Operator positions  become available, they are filled by Relief Transit Operators on the basis of seniority. As a Transit Operator, the hourly salary begins at $25.03 per hour. The top of our Transit Operator pay range is currently $31.76 per hour, which equates to a base annual salary of $66,060, plus benefits. Additionally, there is often overtime work available. In 2020 the top Transit Operator earner made over $130,000.
 
While many of our Operators choose to remain in that role, many others have pursued a variety of opportunities and have become supervisors, instructors, dispatchers and managers throughout the agency.

  • Applicants are encouraged to review Pierce Transit's background check policy and the driving abstract section to ensure they have an acceptable driving record prior to applying. The background check policy can be found at the following link under FAQ's:  https://www.piercetransit.org/careers/
Applicants hired from this recruitment must be available to attend full-time training for a period of six (6) weeks, beginning MONDAY DECEMBER 13, 2021:

Essential Functions

The following functions are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

  • We are looking for drivers who will provide excellent service to our customers, informing them about fares, routes, schedules and operating rules in a tactful and courteous manner. 
  • They will be relied on to ensure safe and efficient operation of transit coaches and agency vehicles while following routes, schedules and all traffic regulations.
  • Depending on the assignment, this person may operate a passenger van to pick up and drop off passengers eligible for specialized transportation. Work may include assisting customers with disabilities and those using wheelchairs in boarding and exiting the vehicle.

Individuals selected for these positions must have the ability to:
  1. Be accurate and thorough in the completion of written accident, incident, and other reports.
  2. Inspect the bus or van before and after operation.
  3. Operate a radio to communicate with a dispatcher.
  4. Read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand traffic signs and signals and to comprehend written instructions and standard operating procedures, notices, or memos.
  5. Learn new routes and procedures and follow them reliably and consistently.
  6. Know, understand and follow traffic laws and ordinances and safety rules.
  7. Be available for work to cover any shift/route
  8. Demonstrate prompt and regular attendance.

Qualifications

Driving records of finalist candidates will be reviewed.

Required Qualifications: 

  • Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of hire.
  • Must have been licensed for a minimum of five (5) years to be considered.
    • Five (5) years of continuous, recent driving history is required (i.e.. no gaps in license status)
    • Must have an excellent driving record. (no revocations or suspensions)
    • Applicants may apply with an out-of-state license, but must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License at the time of hire.
Additional License Requirements: 
  • Must obtain a Class B Commercial License Permit with Passenger endorsement prior to a final offer being extended. 

For more information a out obtaining a CLP, please visit: http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/cdlcdip.html.
 
Other Requirements: 
  • Applicants must be successful in meeting physical requirements, which will be determined by a physical exam including a drug screen.
  • Must be able to maneuver up to 300 pounds (passenger including wheelchair) over a six-inch curb and up a wheelchair ramp.
  • Applicants hired into the Transit Operator job must be able to safely and effectively operate all revenue service vehicles.
  • Transit operators will be subject to periodic background check screenings by Joint Base Lewis-McChord in order to drive Pierce Transit vehicles on base when required.
Representation: 
  • This job is represented by the  Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Local #758. 

Supplemental Information

Application Instructions
To be considered for this opportunity, you must apply online:

  1. The online application must include a chronological work and/or education history covering a ten-year period. 
  2. At least 3 professional references, to include a current or recent supervisor, with names, professional titles, and current phone numbers and email addresses.
 
For questions regarding this recruitment or assistance with the application process, please contact Employee Services staff at 253-581-8095 or jobs@piercetransit.org


If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.


Pierce Transit Is An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
Pierce Transit has a strong commitment to the community we serve and our employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.
 
Pierce Transit's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay  and all other forms of compensation, including benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

Paid Leave[1]:
Full-time Pierce Transit employees are eligible to receive 11 paid holidays, 2 personal paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 12 vacation days per year.  Part-time employees, receive pro-rated leave, to include sick leave, vacation, personal holiday and holiday pay.  Vacation leave accrual rates increase per the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Insurance Plans:
Pierce Transit employees and their dependents (including domestic partners) may elect a medical (includes vision) and dental plan.  Medical and dental benefits begin the first day of the month following date of hire. Public Safety Officers are not a part of the dental plan and may elect dental coverage through their Union. Employees may also participate in a flexible spending account for eligible health care and dependent care expenses. 

Basic life insurance as well as AD&D insurance coverage is provided by the employer at no cost to the employee.  Employees may elect to purchase additional coverage.  Additionally, long-term disability insurance is provided by the employer at no cost to the employee in the event an employee cannot work due to a covered illness or injury (some limitations apply). 

Retirement Plan:
All employees of Pierce Transit are required to participate in the Washington State Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).  Employees are not covered under the Social Security System except for a 1.45% payment for Medicare.

For those eligible employees who were previous members of the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (TERS), continuation of participation in that system may be permitted.  Those employees will be required to contribute to the Social Security System and Medicare.

Deferred Compensation Plan: 
Employees are eligible to participate in a 457 savings plan with an employer match of up to 4.25% of annual compensation with increases as years of service are met.

Hours of Work:
Most Pierce Transit employees have a 40-hour workweek; however, positions may require shift work, overtime, and weekend work.

Probationary Period:
All regular employees are subject to successful completion of a probationary period of 1,040 hours, unless the position is listed as "at-will" (i.e. Transit Operator Trainee).

Public Safety Officers are subject to successful complete of a nine (9) month probationary period.

Union Affiliation:
This job classification is covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Employee Wellness Program:
Pierce Transit offers a robust Employee Wellness Program to assist employees in developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  Incentives may be available for successful completion of Wellness activities.  Additionally, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available at no cost to the employee. 

Tuition Reimbursement:
Pierce Transit offers reimbursement of tuition costs for successful completion of pre-approved courses once the employee has completed probation. 

Student debt and how working for Pierce Transit can help
Employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.

[1] See applicable collective bargaining agreement for more information on eligibility for paid holidays and leave.

 

01
Do you currently possess a valid Driver's License?
  • Yes
  • No
02
Are you at least twenty-one (21) years of age?
  • Yes
  • No
03
Relief Transit Operators are expected to drive any shift and any route including nights, holidays, weekends, mornings, split shifts, and days that may have been scheduled as "time off", if necessary.
  • I am willing and able to meet this requirement
  • I am not willing or able to meet this requirement.
04
Do you have a minimum of five (5) years of continuous driving experience as a licensed driver?
  • Yes
  • No
05
Have you read and do you meet the driver background requirements as outlined in the agency's Background Check Policy? A link to the policy is listed in the job announcement. Applicants are encouraged to review the policy prior to submitting their application.
  • Yes
  • No
06
Were you employed during the past two years by an agency that required random drug and alcohol testing under DOT regulations? (DOT-covered employers would typically cover other transit agencies, truck drivers, garbage truck drivers, school bus drivers, tour bus operators, or mechanics at any of these types of agencies.)
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

Agency
Pierce Transit
Address
3701 96th St. SW

Lakewood, Washington, 98499
Phone
(253) 581-8095
Website
piercetransit.org/careers
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