Bus Driver

Join Our Team As A Bus Driver

Provides safe, reliable, professional transit service to fixed route customers, residents and visitors of Pasco County by driving a heavy-duty transit vehicle, adhering to all transit and traffic rules, and providing excellent customer service to the public.

Essential Job Functions

Drives large, heavy-duty transit buses and other passenger-carrying vehicles within Pasco County and to neighboring counties. Provides transit service on an assigned fixed or flexible route. Follows established fixed route schedules and maps, collects fares and enforces rider policies. Boards, secures and alights customers in wheelchairs and assists other passengers with disabilities. Makes routine location, departure and arrival announcements so that all passengers can navigate the system. Responds to passenger inquiries and provides information that helps passengers navigate the system. Assists passengers as required. Conducts safety and operational vehicle inspections. Writes inspections, schedule, incident and accident reports and other documents. Maintains a clean vehicle in safe operating condition throughout the shift, reporting malfunctions immediately to a supervisor. Operates onboard touchscreen tablets, destination signs, farebox controls and other technology. Operates two-way radios and public address systems. This work involves direct contact with the riding public within a confined space for extended periods of time, requiring tact, good judgement, and diplomacy. Work is performed with considerable independence under the general direction of a supervisor. Assists in emergency operations and evacuations as assigned. Ability to lift and move 40 pounds, or work with another team member to lift and/or move excessively heavy objects. Performs other related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to effectively communicate with customers face-to-face or via public address systems.
• Ability to operate all transit vehicles.
• Ability to operate all scheduled routes.
• Ability to comprehend local geography.
• Ability to drive in daylight and darkness.
• Ability to deliver excellent customer service.
• Ability to work under stress, with frequent interruptions, and while interacting with irate customers.
• Ability to work in heavy traffic conditions and during poor weather.
• Ability to interact positively with a variety of personalities, both internally and externally.
• Ability to accurately and legibly maintain records and prepare reports.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to perform calculations with accuracy.
• Ability to dress appropriately and maintain personal hygiene.
• Ability to conduct oneself so that they are not a threat to themselves or others.
• Ability to meet attendance and punctuality requirements.
• Ability to be flexible, effective team player.
• Knowledge of safe operations of large heavy-duty transit buses.
• Knowledge of traffic laws, rules and driving courtesy.
• Ability to serve and interact with the public.
• Ability to operate two-way radio communications equipment.
• Ability to successfully complete initial and recurring training.
• Ability to read a route schedule and map, then plan operating activities for the route.
• Ability to make recommendations and to solve problems.
• Ability to change schedule to cover open routes with short notice.

Minimum Requirements

This position requires registration and consent for a full query in the Florida ACHA Clearinghouse - (Fingerprints). Physical activities/working conditions: Ability to communicate effectively using verbal, written and visual communication. Ability to sit and drive a transit vehicle for extended periods of time. Ability to tolerate exposure to all weather conditions. Ability to lift and move 40 pounds, or work with another team member to lift and/or move excessively heavy objects. Ability to push or pull passengers in manual wheelchairs up and down a map. Ability to frequently climb, bend, stoop, kneel, squat and stretch. Ability to manipulate and fasten safety securement devices. Ability to operate tactile devices like tablets, destination signs and farebox controls. Ability to perceive color, depth and texture. Ability to work early morning, late evening, weekend, holiday and split shifts. Ability to pass biennial or more frequent CDL medical examinations in compliance with FAC 14-90. Ability to pass random, post-accident and reasonable suspicion urine drug and alcohol breath tests in compliance with FAC 14-90. Education, training and experience: Graduation from high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma. Licenses, certifications or registrations: Must possess a valid Florida Class A or B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) without Air Brake Restrictions (Code 1) and must have a Passenger Endorsement (Code P). Applicants with an equivalent out-of-state CDL will be considered but must obtain a Florida CDL by date of hire. ADA Statement: A qualified employee or applicant with a disability may be afforded a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential job functions of a position in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Drug-Free Workplace: Pasco County BOCC is a drug-free workplace in accordance with Federal and Florida law. Emergency Response/Recovery Activities: All employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens. Veterans' Preference: Under Section 295.07, F.S., Chapter SSA-7, Pasco County BCC provides to Veterans, that preference in appointment will be given to preference-eligible applicants.

Benefits

Benefits include: Florida Retirement System (FRS) retirement plan, PTO (Paid Time Off), Paid holidays, Group insurance, Tuition reimbursement, Deferred compensation, Medical leave pool, Annual medical leave buy-back, Mid-management/Professional grade, and management personnel may receive 40 hours of admin leave per calendar year. Effective July 1, 2011, FRS members must contribute 3% of their salary as retirement contributions, on a pre-tax basis (the salary is reduced by the amount of the employee contribution before determining the federal income tax deduction). The employer will automatically deduct the employee contributions.