Transit Operator - Full Time & Part Time

Job Purpose: This position is under general supervision of the Transit Manager and operates a demand response bus through light to heavy city traffic, for the purpose of carrying passengers in a safe manner and in accordance with city, state, and federal laws, as well as City rules and policies. Collects fares, assists passengers with disabilities as needed while safely performing operation procedures. Monitors bus, weather conditions, and safety of passengers. The position performs a variety of responsible, secretarial, and financial duties in support of the City’s public transit system. The position is responsible to assist in planning, organizing, and coordinating support activities, and functions related to the City’s public transit system. The position provides general information and assistance to members of the Transit staff and public; and may have responsibilities as both a Transit Operator and a Dispatcher or may have work responsibilities that fall under only one of these job titles. The responsibilities are at the discretion of the Transit Manager. Essential Duties: These job functions are the essential duties of the position and are not all-inclusive of all the duties the incumbent may be assigned. Duty 1: Operate Transit Bus 85% Essential Tasks: ? Performs pre-trip and post-trip operational inspections; reports mechanical repair items needed for safe operations; reports passenger emergencies or incidents which affect the safety of passengers; and completes all required documentation for all situations. Reports any mechanical problem immediately. ? Safely and efficiently operate transit vehicles and their appurtenances in a safe, proficient manner including fare boxes, wheelchair lifts, radio, and emergency equipment. Assure the cleanliness of the interior and seating area. ? Comply with all cities, state, and federal traffic rules regulations, laws, and procedures for the safe operation of a transit bus. ? Assist persons with disabilities onto and off the wheelchair lift, operate lift/ramp, and secure wheelchairs as required. ? Actively participate in the reporting of safety issues and concerns that are observed during essential job functions. Participates in staff development and in-service training programs as assigned and attends scheduled safety meetings and safety programs. ? Provide information in a courteous manner to passengers regarding routes, schedules, transfers, and fares. ? Assure passengers pay fare or have deducted from bus pass before providing trip and monitor Fare boxes. ? Effectively utilize manifests, and other information, to follow routes and meet time points. Coordinate detour, accident, and incident information to radio dispatch, and respond to instructions given. ? File necessary reports in case of an accident or incident with assigned vehicle or an injury to passengers and operators. Submit verbal and written reports on accidents or incidents required. Duty 2: Dispatching 10% Essential Tasks: ? Serves as a dispatcher for the City’s public transit system utilizing a computerized scheduling system. ? Ensures all services are on time. ? Informs Transit Manager or Transit Coordinator of accidents, receives complaints from customers and passes information to proper personnel. ? Interacts with the public to schedule ride requests, sell bus passes, answer questions, record complaints, and share information. ? Maintain up-to-date knowledge of demand response services and any changes. ? Answer the phone and respond to customers in a professional manner with accurate information. ? Uses independent judgment and personal initiative when performing as a dispatcher. ? Coordinate with law enforcement as necessary to have passengers removed. ? Support management in the implementation and continuous improvement of the transit system and related activities. ? Document and investigate safety issues or concerns directly observed or reported by transit staff or the public. Conduct and document a preliminary review of reported safety issues or concerns. Duty 3: General Facility Maintenance 5% Essential Tasks: ? Required to perform manual labor as needed to ensure trash and other debris is cleared from the transit facility, mow grass, shovel snow, install or removal of tire chains, trim bushes, pull weeds located on and immediately adjacent to the transit facility property. Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Related to this Position: Knowledge of: • Safe driving principles and practices. • Principles and practices used in dealing professionally with the public. • Procedures to properly secure wheelchairs into vehicles. • Local geography, streets, points of interest and locations of City offices. • Operate office equipment, 2-way radios, computers/tablets and applicable software programs. • Record keeping, prepare reports and basic math for fare collection. Skill or ability to: • Operate and/or utilize all standard safety equipment installed in transit passenger vehicles, including safety harnesses, restraints, and any other equipment required by federal, state, or local regulations. • Conduct and document pre and post trip inspections. • Read and understand maps and schedules. • Read, understand, and follow rules and regulations, vehicle operating procedures, vehicle laws, and written and oral instructions. • Maintain effective working relationships and deal courteously and effectively with the public, fellow employees, and supervisors. • Be able to work without immediate supervision in the field after completion of the initial training period. • Operate a wheelchair ramp or lift and assist passengers with disabilities. • Be punctual and maintain regular, predictable attendance. • Be available to work a flexible schedule that includes nights, weekends, holidays, working split shifts, and a reasonable amount of overtime. Physical Demands: Light strength demands include exerting up to 50 pounds occasionally, or negligible amounts constantly and/or walking or standing to a significant degree. Requires exposure to cold, heat, noise, vibration, chemicals, and mechanical hazards. Continuously requires sitting, handling, vision, foot controls, balancing, hearing, and talking. Frequently requires kneeling and bending. Occasionally requires standing, walking, reaching, crouching, and twisting. Non-Physical Demands: Frequently requires time pressures, frequent change of tasks, irregular schedule/overtime, performing multiple tasks simultaneously, working closely with others as part of a team, tedious or exacting work, and noisy/distracting environment. Safety: Performs all functions in the safest possible manner and according to policies and procedures. Participates fully with safety trainings. Reports unsafe work conditions and practices, work-related injuries, illnesses, and near-misses as soon as possible to assigned supervisor. Minimum Qualifications (Education, Experience and Training): The position requires at a minimum a valid Commercial Driver License (CDL) with passenger endorsement or have completed the Non CDL Transit Operator Position Program; one year of dispatching/scheduling experience preferred and must have completed High School or equivalent. Other relevant combinations of education and work experience may be evaluated on an individual basis. License or Certificate: • Must possess a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with passenger endorsement; Must have acceptable driving record at the time of hire and must obtain a State of Montana (CDL) with passenger endorsement. • Must obtain a DOT Medical Examiners Certificate prior to starting the position and retain for duration of employment. • Subject to pre-employment drug screening as well as random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident and follow-up drug and alcohol testing as per the City of Helena substance abuse policy. Supervision Received: The position is supervised by the Transit Operations Coordinator and Transit Manager