Bus/ Van Driver (Transit)

Salary : $36,670.40 Annually
Location : Transit 900 E. Main Street, Kingsport, TN
Job Type: Full Time Regular
Job Number: 2026-3-2
Department: Transit
Opening Date: 03/02/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


Purpose
Operate transit type vehicles to transport passengers within defined areas of Kingsport. Classified as essential.

Essential Functions

• Operate any KATS vehicle in a safe and careful manner according to the laws of the State of Tennessee in all types of weather and traffic conditions to pick up and deliver passengers.
• Have full knowledge of routes, schedules and fares and provide this information to passenger in a courteous and professional manner upon request.
• Report for duty at the designated times as assigned, in full regulation uniform and in possession of all necessary equipment.
• Assist passengers onto and debarking from vehicle and enforces and ensures adherence with city safety methods and policies;
• Operate a wheelchair lift and assist passengers with all required safety securements while showing sensitivity to their specific needs.
• Collect fares and punch transfer tickets. Complete daily log sheets of route times, passenger counts and fare types to provide statistical information on route usage.
• Maintain communication with the dispatcher using 2-way radios;
• Maintain scheduled route and trips as directed by dispatcher;
• Announce time and transfer points over bus intercom, as required by ADA
• Ensures safety of bus and passenger while on route;
• Communicate accidents and unusual occurrences; complete incident and accident report forms as necessary.
• Greet all passengers upon entry and exit;
• Perform physical and visual vehicle inspections daily reporting any defects;
• Clean interior and exterior; decorate vehicle according to type of festivity for identification of city and event(s).
• May need to work weekend and alternate schedule for special events, training, emergency operations, of extend service hours;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Knowledge or ability to learn the streets, locations and addresses found within the City of Kingsport;
• Knowledge of the various bus/van schedules and routes provided to the public by the city;
• Knowledge of applicable policies, procedures, and regulations of the City of Kingsport;
• Skill in performing routine preventative maintenance of the vehicle;
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective and friendly working relationships with members, the public and other city department personnel;
• Skill in performing basic arithmetic calculations;
• Must be able to communicate with passengers and write reports of activities.
• Ability to use and understand the workings of all onboard technology.

Education and Experience
High school graduate or high school equivalent required. Applicant must possess a valid Tennessee/Virginia Commercial Driver's License, class B, with the passenger (P) endorsements, or be able to obtain within 90 days of employment.
The City of Kingsport does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin, sex, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, or any other class protected by Federal or State laws and regulations.
RETIREMENT- TCRS Hybrid Plan: Participation is mandatory. No waiting period. Plan is a combination of a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan. The defined benefit plan consists of a 5% mandatory contribution from the employee and a 4% employer contribution. Employee is also auto-enrolled at 2 % in the defined contribution plan with the City contributing 5%. Employee has the option to increase or decrease his/her defined contribution percentage.
VACATION: Vacation accrual is based upon your length of service with the Ctiy Of Kingsport. New employees will receive upon hire date one (1) week vacation, and will accrue 6.67 hours per month with the exception of Firefighters who accrue 12 hours per month. Vacation is available for use as it is earned.
HOLIDAYS: The City of Kingsport offers 12 paid Holidays per year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr., Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Floating Holiday (1 day). There is no eligibility period to qualify for Holiday pay.
SICK HOURS: Employees accrue eight (8) sick hours at the end of each month worked. Sick hours may be used for personal or immediate family illness up to a maximum of 1040 hours per calendar year. In addition, sick hours may also be applied toward early retirement (see TCRS rules for retirement for further information).
LIFE INSURANCE: The City of Kingsport provides all full time employees Term Life Insurance at no cost. The coverage amount is equal to one (1) times your annual base salary.

SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE INSURANCE (optional): - Full time employees also have the option to elect Supplemental Life Insurance coverage at an additional one (1) times their annual base salary. Rates are based upon your age and annual salary.

DEPENDENT LIFE INSURANCE (optional): Full time employees can elect Term Life insurance for their dependents at either $5,000 or $10,000 amounts. The cost elect coverage for their dependents at $.64 per pay period for $5000; $1.28 per pay period for $10,000.

LONG TERM DISABILITY (optional): Carrier is MetLife. Monthly premium cost is shared 50/50 by employee/City. Eligible after 90 days of employment. Covers 60% of your monthly earnings up to a maximum of $7,500.00. Pays until you are approved for social security disability or until you return to work. Benefits begin after 120 days of consecutive disability

HEALTH INSURANCE (optional): Carrier is BCBST, network S.Full time employees have the option to select from two (2) plans (Standard Plan and Basic Plan). Premium cost is shared by employee/City.

EMPLOYEE HEALTH CLINIC: Provider is Premise Health. Confidential. Available to employees/dependents who are covered under the City's health care plans (BCBST). Clinic treats both acute and chronic conditions and can prescribe medications, provide annual physicals, health coaching, lab work, and much more. No co-pays, no deductibles, and no cost for select generic medications dispensed on-site.


DENTAL INSURANCE (optional): Carrier is Delta Dental. Premium cost is paid by employee. Annual maximum coverage of $1,000 per member which increases by $100 per year up to a maximum of $1,500 provided member has at least one preventative procedure performed each plan year.

VISION INSURANCE (optional): Carrier is Davis Vision. Premium cost is paid by employee. Annual eye exams, lenses and lens upgrades, frames, contacts.


FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT (optional): Carrier is Flores. Contribution amounts are pre-tax. Healthcare and Dependent Care options. Employees can contribute up to the allowed IRS maximum amounts. Healthcare rollover of up to $610 for plan year 2024.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: 2 programs: Ballad Health and Ulliance, Inc. Available to Full time employees. Provides confidential mental health and substance abuse services and much more.

EMPLOYEE PHYSICAL WELLNESS PROGRAM: Provider is Cora. Available to all regular full time and part time employees at no cost. Provides a regiment of treatment when employees experience minor musculoskeletal disorders due to life's everyday stresses and strains.


KINGSPORT AQUATIC CENTER: Free membership for full time employees elected in the City's medical plan. Discounted rates for employees and their family.
GYM MEMBERSHIPS (optional): City will reimburse 50% of individual membership rate each quarter. Reimbursement is based on an attendance requirement.

AIR MED (optional): Provider is AirMed. Memberships can be elected in 1, 3, 5, or 10 year increments. Provides air ambulance services for a life or limb threatening emergency to an emergency medical treatment facility.

ACCIDENT INSURANCE (optional): Provider is Trustmark. Supplemental accident insurance that pays you cash directly to help pay for treatment for covered accidents.

CRITICAL ILLNESS INSURANCE (optional): Provider is The Standard. Insurance that helps cover out of pocket expenses associated with a serious illness. Helps fill the gaps caused by these out of pocket costs. Pays you for completing certain health screenings.

UNIVERSAL LIFE/LONG TERM CARE: (optional): Provider is Trustmark. Whole Life Insurance policy that includes a long-term care benefit that can help you pay for services at any age. Benefit never reduces due to age.
TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: Full-time, non-probationary employees are eligible to request tuition reimbursement for courses that are work-related and improve the skills required by employees in their employment. Reimbursement will be provided after eligible expenses remaining are unpaid from other financial aid/assistance (scholarships/grants).

• Undergraduate Courses: up to $1,000 per employee per semester/$3,600 in a fiscal year
• Graduate Courses: up to $1,200 per employee per semester/$3,600 in a fiscal year