Bus Operator Trainee Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Community Transit is hiring full time and part time bus drivers! Yes - you can drive a bus! You don't need previous professional driving experience to be a great Community Transit bus driver- we'll give you the tools for success by providing paid, comprehensive training that includes generous benefits. We are a leading employer in the Puget Sound region, based out of Everett, Washington. Community Transit drivers serve communities throughout Snohomish County and parts of King County.

Grow your career with us and be part of a team that believes in making a difference. We're looking for people who enjoy learning and helping people. Our bus drivers come from every walk of life and job experience, including:

• military service
• customer service and retail
• human services
• commercial driving

People looking to transition from desk-bound work like accounting, administration, call center and sales have also thrived in this role-get out from behind that desk or counter and discover the freedom of driving in your local community!

Community Transit will offer you a professional career with excellent benefits, a competitive salary and opportunities for promotion and professional development.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

During our 10-week paid training program you will:

• Earn $32.05 per hour
• be eligible for our Trainee Benefit Package on the first month following your training start date. This includes:
  • medical insurance for trainees and their dependents (95% company-paid premiums)
  • dental & vision insurance for trainees and their dependents (100% company-paid premiums)
  • be accruing paid time off during training - up to 19 days in your first year

Upon successful completion of the training program you will:

• earn a starting salary of $33.54/hour, with potential to earn up to $39.31 hourly
• be eligible for our excellent full-employee benefit package which includes:
  • a retirement pension plan
  • company-paid life insurance/disability insurance
  • receive 10 company-paid holidays a year
  • receive a comprehensive wellness program including onsite access to: two gyms, physical therapy services, and massage therapy services

Community Transit drivers are considered essential workers, called on to work in support of the community even when others cannot. Our drivers are relied on during pandemics, natural disasters, accidents and other events - ready to come to the aid of the community when called on to do so. 

Our Bus Drivers safely operate passenger buses on all of our routes including Swift bus rapid transit, collect fares and assist transit riders, maintain bus schedules, follow applicable traffic laws and company protocol, and provide excellent customer service.

At Community Transit, we are committed to providing a safe work environment, including providing personal protective equipment and resources to help protect yourself and others. Learn more about our commitment to safety at communitytransit.org/commitments

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

To be considered, applicants must:

• Able to account for the last 3 consecutive years of driving experience, without any lapses in licensing, legally operating a motor vehicle in the United States without restrictions.

• At least 21 years of age at time of hire.
• Possess a valid Washington State Driver's License at time of hire.
• Ability to obtain a valid Washington State Commercial Driver's License (CDL) class "B", with passenger endorsement and air brake restriction lifted.  Applicants without a valid CDL must obtain a CDL learner's permit before the first day of training. .Non-domicile commercial driver licenses (CDL)

  Due to a new federal rule, the DOL has stopped processing all non-domicile commercial learner's permit (CLP) and CDL transactions. That includes originals, renewals, upgrades, duplicates, or replacements. We also have suspended all associated knowledge and skills testing for non-domiciled drivers. We'll let you know if or when we will resume processing those documents. For more information, please follow this link. 

• No more than 2 moving violations within the last 5 years.
• No more than 2 accidents within the last 5 years (at fault or not at fault).
• Within the last 5 years, no license suspension, revocation, cancellation or disqualification based on a traffic or moving violation
• No license restrictions (such as an ignition interlock device requirement) within the last 5 years.
• No convictions within the last 10 years for reckless or negligent driving, hit and run, leaving the scene of an accident, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, vehicular assault or homicide.
• No alcohol, drug or test refusal related occurrences within the last 10 years.
• No other driving record incidents or occurrences within the last 5 years that provide a reasonable basis to question the applicant's ability to provide safe and public transportation. 

Successful candidates will have:

• strong people skills
• knowledge of English, sufficient to communicate, read and follow road signs, and to comprehend written instructions and standard operating procedures, notices and memos.
• a willingness to learn and try new things
• flexibility to work split shifts and a varied schedule, including some weekends and holidays
• reliability and motivation
• the ability to learn new routes and procedures and to follow them reliably

What to expect during training:

• We'll help you prepare for and take the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) exam
• You'll work a varied schedule during the 10 weeks of full-time training with variable hours Mondays through Fridays.
• Be prepared to start as early as 5:00 am or stay as late as 11:00 pm during the training program

APPLICATION PROCESS

• You must provide your 5 year driving abstract(s) if you are invited to an interview
• Abstracts must be dated on or after the day you apply
• Abstracts may be obtained at the state Department of Licensing and on their website

Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

HIRING PROCESSApplicants who meet the minimum requirements may be scheduled for an interview as well as a variety of tests to demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities for the position. The evaluation process may include interviews, background checks, references and various performance tests. Learn more about our Bus Driver Hiring Process: communitytransit.org/HiringProcess

Employee Benefits: Employees (and their families) are covered by medical, dental, vision, basic life and disability insurance. Employees participate in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and have the option to enroll in the agency's deferred compensation plan.  In addition to WA Paid Sick Leave, employees in this position, accrue nineteen (19) days of Paid Time Off (152 hours) in their first year and receive ten (10) paid holidays throughout the calendar year. Full list of all benefits and details can be found here.

 If you have a family member, or share the same living quarters of a current Community Transit employee, please let your Human Resources Recruiter know as your eligibility for this position will be affected.

Community Transit provides a tobacco-free and drug-free work environment. As a recipient of federal funds, Community Transit is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on an basis prohibited by Federal, State or Local law.  We value and encourage diversity in our workforce.  EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, protected veteran status or disability.

PLEASE NOTE

This position is safety sensitive and subject to drug and alcohol testing under both the U.S. Department of Transportation and Community Transit Authority. Community Transit provides a tobacco-free and drug-free work environment. 

Community Transit Bus Drivers are represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local #1576.