Bus Operator Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

Under the direction of the Operations Manager and Operations Supervisors, Transit Management of Alexandria’s (DASH) Bus Operator is responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient transportation services to the citizens and visitors of the City of Alexandria (“City”) via the DASH bus system. This position transports passengers throughout the city and local metropolitan area via DASH’s extensive fleet of modern transit buses. Serves as a day-to-day “Ambassadors of Goodwill” by consistently applying TMA’s core values of safety, service, and schedule. Provides professional and courteous passenger assistance while maintaining professional conduct in accordance with applicable rules, regulations, and company policies and procedures. Training salary is $23.91 an hour, upon completion of training, hourly salary will increase to $28.07 an hour (training lasts ~6-8 weeks).

Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

• Operates in revenue and non-revenue service transit bus in a safe, courteous, and reliable manner while complying with motor vehicle and transit local, state, and federal rules and regulations.
• Provides exceptional customer service and demonstrates professionalism to riders of the DASH bus system.
• Operates on-bus technology including but not limited to CAD/AVL systems, destination signs, climate control, and lights.
• Assists riders with disabilities boarding and disembarking from the bus and physically secure wheelchairs or other mobility aid devices as needed.
• Performs a pre-trip or walk-around inspection of vehicles prior to the operation of the vehicle to check for mechanical problems or body damage; reports defects or other concerns immediately to Operations Clerk.
• Performs a post-trip inspection and parks the vehicle properly.
• Monitors condition of vehicle throughout operation including the appropriate and timely reporting of any maintenance malfunctions, warning lights, and fuel/battery gauge readings.
• Reports delays, mechanical breakdowns, detours, passenger incidents, issues, collisions, or any other unforeseen circumstance by contacting the DASH Operations Control Center (DOCC) and through the submittal of required paperwork to an Operations Supervisor
• Completes and submits written reports concerning passenger incidents, collisions, and near-misses as instructed by the Operations Supervisor.
• Safely loads and unloads passengers at designated stop points and in accordance with DASH operating procedures or under the direction of DOCC or Operations Supervisor.
• Adheres to proper routing as indicated by the DASH bus routes and scheduled timepoints through the use of paddles and other routing paperwork.
• Maintains an acceptable driving record throughout employment and complies with all applicable state local traffic regulations; reports traffic violations to the Safety and Security Department.
• Attends required trainings, meetings, and events as designated by TMA management or as required by the position.
• Reports to the check-in area in proper uniform and in accordance with the uniform and Company policy.
• Conveys important information to the public and advises passengers of passenger rules and regulations as necessary.
• Communicates any employment related matters or issues to the Operations Manager including payroll, leave request, scheduling, and uniform cleaning reimbursements.
• Ensures a pleasant passenger experience by timely and effectively addressing vehicle or passenger issues that may arise and reporting concerns to DOCC as necessary.
• Participates in bi-annual, or as needed, shift bids and adheres to the selected schedule.
• Reports to work on-time and communicates with DOCC in advance of any absences or tardiness, as required by Company policy and procedures.
• Maintains and contributes to a positive and professional work environment.
• Completes work assigned through show-up/standby or on the extra board in a professional and courteous manner.
• Performs related tasks and duties as required.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of or ability to learn about fixed route transit vehicle operations.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn about state and local traffic regulations.
• Basic knowledge or ability to operate on-bus technology including but not limited to CAD/AVL systems, destination signs, fare-boxes, climate control, and lights.
• Excellent customer service and customer relations skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to remain calm and demonstrate professionalism during difficult situations.
• Ability to disseminate basic instructions or information to passengers of various backgrounds.
• Ability to comply with Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and Company policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of or ability to adhere to Company safety rules and regulations.

Emotional, Psychological and Physical Requirements:

Ability to:

• Handle high levels of stress.
• Maintain high alert of internal or external dangers and obstacles of the transit bus.
• Interact with challenging individuals who may at times become aggressive or violent in nature if escalated.
• Bending or stooping while inspecting vehicles.

Physically:

• Sitting frequently for long periods.
• Work in adverse weather conditions.
• Bend, twist and turn frequently and consistently throughout working shifts.
• Travel through facility grounds that may include stairwells between the bus garage and administrative offices and to various points in the garage for bus assignments.
• Work varying shifts including early mornings, late nights, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather.

Additional/Miscellaneous/Special Requirements:

• Must possess, or have the ability to obtain within 60 days, a Virginia, Maryland, or District of Columbia Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License with Passenger and Air-Brake endorsement.
• Acceptable criminal history record that must be maintained throughout employment.
• Negative pre-employment drug screen results upon hire and as required by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations and TMA policy, throughout entirety of employment.

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• A minimum of one (1) year of overall driving experience, personal and/or professional required.
• Experience in operation of commercial vehicles highly preferred.
• Experience in transporting passengers highly preferred.
• Basic computer knowledge and experience or ability to interact with office and on bus technology systems preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Transit Management of Alexandria (TMA) is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other protected characteristic. We strive to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is valued and respected.

The ADA requires TMA/DASH to provide adequate accommodation to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.