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 located 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 am, and the last bus returns to the depot at 1:50 am. We are a 22 hour, 7 days a week transit operation.

All selected Bus Operators initially start in a temporary operator trainee position.  The training period is for an average duration of 4-5 months until either the trainee completes all training requirements, or a vacancy occurs.  The first 5 weeks are in a classroom setting and hours beginning 5:30 a.m. to 2:00 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 $42,601 ($20.48 per hour), during the training period.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• 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.

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

• 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/alcohol 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.

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.

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: 

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

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.