Bus Operator

Job Title: Driver Trainee

Employer: Golden Empire Transit District

Salary: $20.00 per hour (Driver Trainee Rate) $22.55 per hour (Post-Trainee Rate Effective After 30 Working Days of Training)

Location: Bakersfield

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 202500005

Department: Operations

Opening Date: 07/16/2025

This position operates a public transit passenger bus in accordance with District schedules and other related programs. Maintains a safe and orderly environment while providing a high level of customer service. This classification is responsible for ensuring safe and timely transport of passengers. Moderate level of supervision is required. This classification reports to the Operations Supervisor(s), Operations Manager, and to the Director of Operations. This classification does not have any supervisory responsibilities.

Examples of Duties

Core Competencies:

• Safe Driving Skills
• Customer Service
• Communication Skills
• Time Management
• Regulatory Compliance
• Problem-Solving

Essential Functions:

• Drive a bus in accordance with para-transit/micro-transit passenger transport programs and over designated routes in accordance with time schedules and District regulations.
• Comply with DMV requirements and District rules, policies, practices, and regulations regarding holders of commercial drivers' licenses and operators of commercial vehicles.
• Pick up, transport and drop off bus riders.
• Check vehicles daily to maintain safe operating conditions.
• Timely report equipment malfunctions, vehicle collisions, passenger incidents and other related issues to District staff.
• Ensure payment of correct fares by passengers.
• Provide assistance to passengers, including assistance in boarding, de-boarding and safely securing wheelchairs, wheelchair lifts and announcing stops.
• Assists passengers with directions and answers questions regarding District operations, rules, and regulations.
• Completes accident or incident reports as needed.
• Attend scheduled safety meetings and safety programs as required.
• Operates two-way bus radio in accordance with established operating rules and procedures.
• Complete DMV required Verification of Transit Training (VTT), annually.
• Performs related work duties as required.
• Reports to work as scheduled.
• May be required to work extended hours or hours outside of the regular schedule including early mornings, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.

Typical Qualifications

Qualification Guidelines: Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the classification is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities is as follows:

Education, Training, and/or Experience: High school diploma or GED equivalent. Minimum of 21 years of age with a minimum of (3) years of holding a valid California Driver's License.

Licenses and/or Certificates: 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. Driving record (K4) acceptable to District's insurance underwriter must be provided for consideration.

Requisite Knowledge and Skill Levels:

• Knowledge of safe driving practices.
• Knowledge of state and local traffic laws.
• Provisions of the California Motor Vehicle Code.
• Requisite reading, mathematical and written language skills in order to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Customer Service principles and practices.

Requisite Abilities:

• Ability to obtain continually possess a valid California Commercial Driver's License with air-brake and passenger endorsements.
• Ability to comply with FTA and DOT requirements for CDL holders at public transit agencies.
• Ability to successfully complete the District's Operator training program.
• Ability to drive a bus safe 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, including departmental standard Operating procedures.
• 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 during the course and scope of work.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.
• Ability to provide transportation services to the general public.

Essential Physical Tasks & Environmental Conditions: The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The physical demands of this position 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. Sit to operate bus on scheduled routes. Twist upper body to maneuver buses through traffic. Grasp and turn steering wheel to move and turn vehicle. Reach, push, and pull maxi-brake in emergency conditions. Reach, pull, and push head sign to keep passengers notified of bus destination. Twist and pull door handle to open and shut doors for entry and exit. Push and press gearbox to operate the bus. Stand to load and unload passengers. Load wheelchairs for passengers (lift, pull, and push). Kneel to fasten wheelchairs to locks. Walk to inspect inside and outside of vehicle. Crouch/stoop to check tires, oil or air leaks. Visual acuity sufficient to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle. Exposure to extreme cold or extreme heat when driving in winter or summer months. Exposure results when doors open and close to load and unload passengers (District has equipped buses with heaters and air condition units). Working outdoors to operate a transit bus. Exposure to fumes/odors when operating a bus. Risk may involve inhaling diesel fumes (risk is minimal). Exposure to dust when making stops in areas where there are no sidewalks (risk is minimal). Exposure to traffic conditions. Risk involves possible 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.

Supplemental Information

A background check will be conducted for this classification. All Golden Empire Transit District employees are designated "Disaster Service Workers" through state and local laws (CA Government Code Sec. 3100-3109). 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.

Golden Empire Transit District offers a variety of benefits to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.