Bus Operator Trainee Jobs (NOW HIRING)

About the Position "Please note: The salary range above represents this position's earning potential. The anticipated hiring salary for this position will be $58,257." WHO WE ARE The mission of the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is to move people and connect places with seamless, equitable transportation options that are safe, environmentally responsible, and support economic growth and vibrancy in Montgomery County. The Department has five divisions: Highway Services, Parking Management, Transit Services, Traffic Engineering and Operations, and Transportation Engineering

We are a large organization with over 1,200 employees and a dedicated County budget of $300 million. The Division of Transit Services coordinates transit services in Montgomery County. Transit accomplishes an essential mobility mission of the County, connecting people, communities, workplaces, educational institutions, recreational opportunities, and many other essential destinations.

The Division employs 850+ people, operates nearly 400 buses on 80+ fixed routes throughout Montgomery County. The Division plans, schedules, and manages the County's Ride On bus system, consisting of County-owned and operated buses. Ride-On carries roughly 18 million riders annually.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR MCDOT is seeking Full-Time Transit Bus Operators who are responsible for safely operating public transit buses to provide reliable, efficient, and courteous transportation throughout Montgomery County. Transit Bus Operators play a critical role in connecting people to jobs, schools, and essential services while maintaining adherence to traffic laws, safety standards, and scheduled routes. The ideal candidate demonstrates excellent communication and customer service skills to assist riders and represent MCDOT professionally.

This candidate maintains a strong commitment to safety while navigating varying traffic conditions, weather, and road environments, and uses sound judgment to ensure timely service. The candidate also brings flexibility to work different shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, and consistently demonstrates a positive attitude and professionalism while serving the community. Qualified applicants must possess a valid driver's license with a clean driving record.

Applicants with a CDL License are strongly encouraged to apply. What You'll Be Doing As a Transit Bus Operator, you play a critical role in advancing MCDOT/Transit Services' mission by delivering safe, reliable, and efficient bus service that prioritizes safety, customer service, and accessibility across the Ride-On network. Responsibilities include: Safely operating transit buses on schedule in all weather and traffic conditions, using defensive driving techniques and complying with all DOT policies, procedures, and applicable Federal and State traffic laws.

Providing exceptional customer service by interacting courteously and professionally with passengers and representing MCDOT in a positive manner. Ensuring accessibility for all riders by complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), operating accessibility ramps, and assisting passengers with securement in a safe and respectful way. Maintaining route and service knowledge, including county streets, bus stops, and pass programs to ensure accurate and efficient service.

Completing required documentation such as pre- and post-trip inspections, passenger counts, maintenance defect reports, and incident or accident reports accurately and legibly. Communicating effectively with central operations to report delays, service interruptions, or emergencies and follow instructions promptly. Performing related duties as needed, including assisting passengers, operating vehicle doors, and supporting service continuity.

Essential Status: Transit Bus Operators are Essential Employees, meaning you must report to work during emergencies or liberal leave periods. You will also be required to adhere to a strict attendance policy and work a flexible schedule that may include nights, weekends, holidays, split shifts, and overtime. Ride On operates 22 hours a day, 7 days a week, with service beginning at 3:30 a.m

and ending at 1:50 a.m. Training Program: All new Operators begin as temporary trainees and must successfully complete a comprehensive six-week training program that includes classroom instruction and on-the-road practical experience in both daytime and nighttime conditions. The program covers safety procedures, operating policies, customer service standards, and defensive driving techniques to ensure operators are fully prepared for service

Once training is complete, Operators will be assigned to a depot to continue hands-on learning and transition into serving our passengers as fully qualified Transit Bus Operators. Additional Requirements: A County-administered medical exam with drug screening and a criminal background check are required for all Transit Bus Operator positions. If selected for an interview, you will be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.

Minimum Qualifications Experience: Three (3) years minimum driving experience as a motor vehicle operator with a current Class C (or equivalent) driver's license from the 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.

License: At appointment/placement in the class, candidates must possess a valid Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) or Permit with Passenger and Air Brake Endorsements from the incumbent's state of residence in order to drive a Transit Bus during emergencies and for training and demonstrations; the license must be maintained. Driving Record: No more than one (1) current point on driving record. At the 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 the 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 the applicant's state of residence. Upon Completion of the Transit 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. 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. 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.

Preferred Criteria, Interview Preferences Preference for interviews will be given to applicants with experience in the following: Possession of a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Class "A" or "B" with passenger endorsement issued by the local jurisdiction in which you reside. One (1) year of experience as a bus operator operating medium to heavy-duty passenger buses (i.e., 30-60 feet buses in length), transporting passengers between designated bus stops, while adhering to an established time schedule and route. Three (3) or more years of customer service experience

Five (5) or more years of driving experience with no moving violations 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/intake.

Driving record must be a CURRENT copy; NOT more than 30 days old. Complete Driving Record required; NOT the 36-month driving record. 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.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION The Office of Human Resources (OHR) reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position. Montgomery County Government(MCG) is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity.

Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should email OHR at Hiring@montgomerycountymd.gov. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws

MCG also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference. All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to minimally perform the job.

The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria or interview preference status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.

This will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill both current and future vacancies. If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume. Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment.

The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.