Transit Bus Operator, Grade T1

ABOUT THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (MCDOT):

MCDOT’s mission is to move people and connect places with seamless, equitable transportation options that are safe, environmentally responsible, and support economic growth and vibrancy in Montgomery County. MCDOT supports its residents, commuters and visitors with transit options and infrastructure that provides seamless transportation services to the public.

ABOUT THE DIVISION:

The Division of Transit Services coordinates transit services in Montgomery County. Transit accomplishes an essential mobility mission of the County, connecting people, communities, workplaces, educational institutions, recreational opportunities, and many other essential destinations. The Division plans, schedules and manages the County’s own Ride On bus system consisting of County owned and operated buses. The Ride On system is designed to complement the service provided by the other transit carriers in the County and provides almost 21 million trips per year.

The Department of Transportation is seeking Full Time Transit Bus Operators. This recruitment will establish an eligible list to fill current and future vacancies. Current and future vacancies are in our depots in Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, and Nicholson Court.

Applicants with CDL licenses are encouraged to apply.

Bus Operators are considered Essential Employees. Essential employees must report to work during a period of general emergency or liberal leave. Bus Operators MUST also adhere to a strict Attendance Policy and be available to work a flexible schedule that includes nights, weekends, holidays, working split shifts, and a reasonable amount of overtime. Ride On operational hours start at 3:30 a.m., and the last bus returns to the depot at 1:50 a.m. We are a 22 hour, 7 days a week transit operation.

All selected Bus Operators initially start in a temporary operator trainee position. The first 7 weeks consist of facilitator/classroom led training with hours beginning 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., or 2:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. As well as one (1) week of training done at evening to nighttime from 1:00p.m. to 9:30 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Trainees then report to their assigned depot and will begin to drive passengers. Once assigned to a depot, hours will vary.

Bus Operators are provided uniforms and paid full time at an annual salary of $52,548 ($25.26 per hour) during the training period. Upon completion of the facilitator/classroom led training, bus operators receive an additional increase to $56,153 ($27.00 per hour) once they transition from a temporary operator trainee position to a permanent position (this period is until either the trainee completes all training requirements, or a vacancy occurs).

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Safe and on time operation of a transit vehicle in all types of climatic conditions.

• Tactful and courteous interaction with the public. Conducting self in an appropriate manner as a representative of Montgomery County Department of Transportation (DOT) working effectively in a diverse work environment, using professional judgment always, and performing quality service to all riding public.

• Operating transit bus while in strict compliance with DOT policies, procedures and all Federal and State traffic laws and regulations. This includes using defensive driving techniques.

• Maintain working knowledge of streets, current bus routes and stops within the County as well as DOT's current fare structure and bus pass programs.

• Complying with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the operation of a public transit bus. This includes providing accessibility for disabled passengers to board and de-board by properly operating the accessibility ramp and safely securing such passengers in a courteous manner, announcing designated stops, and pre-testing all passenger accessibility ramps and equipment during pre-trip inspections.

• Completing required paperwork accurately and legibly as needed for pre- and post-trip or schedule, and/or for any incidents/accidents that may occur.

• Completing farebox, passenger, and bus maintenance defect reports and maintenance repair forms, when necessary, upon completion of your scheduled shift.

• Perform related duties as required.

Medical Exam and Background Investigation: All bus operator positions filled under this recruitment require a County administered medical exam with drug screen and a criminal background clearance.

To ensure a positive workplace and to comply with federal, state and County laws, the incumbent is responsible for completing mandatory trainings within the first three to six months or within the specified timeframe.

For information about Montgomery County's comprehensive benefits offers, please visit the MCG Careers Total Rewards webpage and check out our competitive benefits!

OHR reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position/IRC.

Montgomery County Government is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email to OHR@montgomerycountymd.gov. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.

Montgomery County Government also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, please refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference.

All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for interview.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.

Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.

Experience: Three (3) years minimum driving experience as a motor vehicle operator with a current Class C (or equivalent) driver's license from applicant's state of residence and a current safe driving record as determined by the Department/Agency to which the position is assigned, and one (1) year of direct customer service experience.

Education: Sufficient education to understand and express instructions, descriptions, and ideas (such as bus route/schedule information, customer service policies and bus condition information) in both spoken and written English, and to make basic arithmetic calculations (such as addition and subtraction to keep to schedules).

Equivalency: None.

Physical Ability: Ability to operate all transit buses in the County's inventory (currently from 30-40 feet in length), which requires, but is not limited to, physical abilities needed to operate a transit bus throughout a shift. They include, but are not limited to, the abilities to (a) conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections, (b) operate hand controls, (c) operate foot controls, (d) help passengers with disabilities who use assistive devices and other passengers who need help 'negotiating' the bus, (e) announce stops and route information and exchange other types of information face-to-face and use a public address system, a radio-telephone and other equipment, and (f) attend to multiple work inputs and outputs simultaneously using vision and hearing.

OTHER: Applicants must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age on the first day of employment in this job class.

LICENSE:

At Time of Employment Application:

• Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid (non-provisional and non-probationary) Class C (or equivalent) driver's license from applicant's state of residence.

First Day of County Employment:

• Possession and maintenance at all times of either a valid Class B (or equivalent) Commercial Driver's License (CDL), with Passenger and Air Brake Endorsements, or an Instructional Permit for a Class B (or equivalent) CDL, with Passenger and Air Brake Endorsements, issued by applicant's state of residence.

Upon Completion of Bus Operator Training by Montgomery County:

• Possession and maintenance at all times of a Class B (or equivalent) CDL, with Passenger and Air Brake Endorsements, issued by the employee's state of residence.

Medical Exam and Background Investigation: All bus operator positions filled under this recruitment require a County administered medical exam with drug/alcohol screen and a criminal background clearance.

There are no Preferred Criteria. All applicants will be reviewed by OHR for minimum qualifications. Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be rated "Qualified", placed on the Eligible List, and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are same grade or higher will be placed on Eligible List as a "Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.

Preference in scheduling interviews will be given to applicants with experience in the following areas:

• Possession of Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Class "A" or "B" with passenger endorsement issued by the local jurisdiction in which you reside.

• One (1) year experience as a bus operator operating medium to heavy duty passenger buses (i.e., 30-60 feet buses in length), transporting passengers between designated bus stops, while adhering to an established time schedule and route.

• Three (3) or more years of customer service experience.

• Five (5) or more years of driving experience with no moving violations.

Note: Applicants selected for interviews must provide a certified driving record indicating one (1) point or less to complete the interview. No exceptions.

• Driving Record: You MUST provide an Original Complete Certified Driving Record when you are scheduled for an interview.
• If your driving history is less than 2 years in your current state of residence, then you must obtain an Original Complete Certified copy from your prior state of residence.