Full Time Bus Operator

Bus Operator

Under general supervision by the Operations Supervisor, and through work direction given by Dispatch staff and Road Supervisors, the Bus Operator is responsible for safely operating passenger transporting motor vehicles to provide service for the City of Fargo's Transit Department. The primary responsibility of the Bus Operator is to provide safe, reliable, accessible and efficient public transportation to the general public. Scope of Responsibility: The Bus Operator serves as a frontline ambassador of the City's transit system. This role has a direct impact on service reliability and the daily mobility of the local community. The Bus Operator provides customers with courteous and attentive service including information, assistance with transfers, controlling the environment within the transit vehicle, and enforcement of transit procedures. This position involves the operation of equipment with significant financial value and requires a high level of personal accountability, attention to detail and adherence to safety standards.

Primary Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Operates transit vehicles safely and efficiently.
2. Ensures passenger safety and accessibility.
3. Ensures safety and operability of transit vehicles.
4. Collects proper fares and validates passes and identification cards, utilizing electronic fare registering and collection equipment. Exercises care in the handling of funds and other valuables.
5. Communicates effectively, professionally, and courteously with co-workers, supervisors and passengers.
6. Maintains compliance with Transit Department policies and federal, state and local laws.
7. Performs all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices.
8. Performs other duties and activities as assigned.

Addendum: Fixed Route Scope of Responsibility:

The Fixed Route Bus Operator is responsible for the safe, efficient, and professional operation of transit vehicles along designated routes in the City's public transportation system. Operators must remain attentive to time constraints while exercising safe driving practices and adjusting to real-time conditions such as traffic, detours, and weather in order to adhere to established schedules. A strong familiarity with assigned routes is essential in this position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Operates transit vehicles along designated fixed routes.
2. Demonstrates and maintains knowledge of assigned bus routes.
3. Ensures passenger safety and accessibility.
4. Collects fares and ensures fare collection equipment is working properly.
5. Supports transit system efficiency and reliability.

Minimum Qualifications

The Bus Operator must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent (G.E.D.), a valid Driver's License, have a safe driving record and be at least 21 years of age. Must possess or have a willingness and the ability to obtain a Class B commercial driver's license without air brake restriction and with passenger endorsement within 90 days of hire. Training will be provided to individuals who do not have the required license when hired. Additional training will be provided to ensure compliance with Federal Transit Administration regulations. Knowledge, skills, ability and other requirements include:

• Skill in English, both written and spoken;
• Skill in providing customer service;
• Ability to gain geographical knowledge of the Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo, and Dilworth areas;
• Ability to safely drive a transit vehicle in all traffic and weather conditions;
• Demonstrated ability to operate vehicles safely, skillfully and efficiently and knowledge of road laws as applicable to transit vehicles;
• Ability to frequently stand or walk; ability to sit for up to three hours; walk for long distances and on possibly sloped ground and slippery or uneven surfaces; demonstrates normal manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination; ability to lift materials.; ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crawl and crouch; and demonstrates a normal range of hearing and vision;
• Ability to work flexible work schedules;
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, and others, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction;
• Exposure to various amounts of vehicle fumes and noise;
• Exposure to potential public aggression.

Physical Demands

Physical Demands & Working Conditions: This job is performed on-board a transit motor vehicle, with a majority of time spent interacting with passengers and driving along pre-assigned routes. Activities the incumbent must perform include sitting for long periods of time, finger vehicle controls and paperwork, audibly communicate through PA systems and radios, utilize a full range of vision, push and pull passengers in wheelchairs as needed, stoop and crouch while securing wheelchairs and during vehicle inspections, and be subject to potentially extreme environmental conditions. Moderate Work: This job is rated for Moderate Work, meaning that the incumbent may exert up to 75 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently. Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The City Administrator retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.