Trainee Bus Driver Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $63,113.96 Annually
Location : Metro Transit, Madison, WI
Job Type: PERMANENT FULL TIME
Job Number: 2026-00172
Department: Metro Transit
Opening Date: 08/13/2026
Closing Date: 8/27/2026 11:59 PM Central
Comp. Group/Range: 41/06
General Description
Start Your Career as a Metro Transit Technician!
Whether you are mechanically inclined and ready to learn or come with more experience, this may be the career for you. Join Metro Transit and get paid while you train to become a Transit Technician. Mechanical experience but none with buses or transit vehicles yet? No problem - we'll teach you what you need to know. Come with your Commercial Learners Permit (CLP), and we'll help you earn your Commercial Driver's License (CDL).
What You'll Do
You'll work hands-on with diesel, hybrid, and electric buses, performing routine maintenance and minor repairs. During your first six months, you'll train under an experienced maintenance technician to build your skills and learn our equipment and procedures.
Pay & Benefits

• Starting pay: $63,113.96 per year
• If you already have 18+ months of related work or trade school experience, your starting pay may increase to $70,126.42 per year
• Paid training - we cover the cost while you learn
• A full range of outstanding benefits including group health with a no monthly premium option

Room to Grow
Everyone starts as a C-Level Technician, but as you gain experience, you can move up to:

• B-Level Technician: $73,727.16 per year (at step 5)
• A-Level Technician: $76,675.30 per year (at step 5)

At Metro Transit, we invest in your growth and your future. If you're ready to turn your mechanical skills into a long-term career, apply today and start your journey with us!
SCHEDULE/HOURS:
Initial training:
• Approximately three weeks of CDL training - Monday Through Friday, 6:00 AM -2:00 PM.
After receiving your CDL license, mechanic training will begin and the schedule will be as follows:
• Two (2) weeks of service lane training: Monday through Friday, on second shift (4:00 PM - 12:30 AM)
• One (1) week of dispatcher training: Sunday through Thursday, on third shift (11:00 PM - 7:30 AM)
The remainder of training will be on first shift, second shift, third shift or a combination of any/all until training is completed. Trainee shifts will mirror assigned trainer shifts, and this could include weekends. Training period will be at least six (6) months.
After training, new technicians will pick their scheduled shift based on seniority. Employees in this classification will need to be available for any shift (first, second, third and weekend) and newest employees will be the last to pick.
Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We value the unique blend of lived experiences and diverse perspectives that comes from non-traditional education pathways and the variety of transferrable skills each candidate brings to the table. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Even if every item on the job posting doesn't match your experience perfectly, we encourage you to apply and share how your skills and experience can best serve our community.
How to apply: Apply online at
Employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

• Preventive maintenance of all bus systems
• Repair buses
• Service and repair vehicles (cars, trucks, forklifts, etc.)
• Radio repair/installation
• Change tires; wheel and hub maintenance
• Building cleaning and repair
• Execute road calls

Other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications

• Six (6) months of technical experience in auto, diesel, construction, agriculture, or other related heavy equipment technical field; and
• Two (2) years of driving experience

-OR-

• Six (6) months of education in auto or diesel mechanics or other related mechanical education can be substituted for the experience; and
• Two (2) years of driving experience

The City of Madison strives to provide exceptional customer service to all its residents and visitors. Therefore, successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to effectively work with multicultural communities.
To view the complete knowledge, skills, and abilities, please see the online.
Special Requirements
Licensing Requirements:

• Valid non-probationary Wisconsin Driver's License or two years of driving experience. Please make sure to provide your driver's license number.
• Candidates must have their Commercial Learner's Permit, Class B, P endorsement, no "L" restriction (airbrake test) by their start date
• Metro will train you to earn your full Commercial Driver's License (CDL) during the training period. To continue employment, you must pass the CDL road test as part of training.

to see CDL permit information, study resources, and which tests to take.
License and endorsements must be maintained as a condition of continued employment.
Physical Requirements:
Employees in this position must have the ability to:

• Occasionally lift up to 75 pounds with equipment (starter, 8d battery) from the floor to waist and 35 pounds from the floor to overhead (3/4 inch and 1/2 inch impact wrench.)
• Occasionally carry up to 75 pounds a distance of up to 5 feet (rear axle) and up to 30 pounds a distance of 40 feet (various components, the length of a vehicle to the bench area in the rear),
• Push a cart loaded with up to 100 pounds regularly (battery cart.)
• Frequently climb ladder
• Sustain both arms overhead for several minutes weighted with up to 20 pounds (various components or tools.)
• Frequently sustain a squatting or kneeling position for up to 10 minutes
• Frequently sustain a stooped position for up to 5 minutes.
• Safely grasp a variety of hand and power tools and sustain the grasp for several minutes.
• Manipulate small parts with reasonable dexterity (nuts, bolts, screws.)
  Metro Transit has adopted the physical qualification standards provided in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations of the Federal Highway Administration. These standards permit the hiring of qualified individuals with disabilities, as required by the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, Sec. 111.34(2)(c), Wisconsin Statutes. The successful candidate must be able to pass the Metro physical with either a one-time 2-year certification or re-certifications for a 2-year period.

*Listed beginning salary reflects step 4 based on salary guidelines and minimum qualifications required.
*Payroll title for this position is Transit Class C Mechanic.
The City of Madison offers excellent pay and benefits for employees. City Ordinances, handbooks, and labor contracts provide specifics; the description here is not to be considered a binding statement but offers an informal summary.
Compensation
The City of Madison strives to pay competitive wages. View the current for pay for all classifications. Employees receive increases based on tenure with the City.
Benefits
The City offers a competitive benefits package, including a generous leave package, a variety of insurance options, and non-traditional benefits such as optional pet insurance, a bus pass for all employees, and the possibility of flexible work schedules. A brief summary of benefits is listed below. Please visit our for more information.
Leave
Vacation is earned upon starting employment and can be used after completion of probation. The general vacation schedule is below.
After 1 year 10 work days of vacation
After 7 years 15 days
After 11 years 20 days
After 19 years 25 days
After 27 years 27 days
Employees earn 5 personal days in addition to vacation.
Employees receive eight official paid holidays (New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day), as well as 1 paid leave day (the Friday after Thanksgiving).
Employees also earn 13 sick days annually that may accrue to a total of 150 days.
Retirement
The City of Madison participates in the Wisconsin Retirement System through the State of Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds.
Insurance
The City of Madison offers a variety of optional insurance programs including:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Income Continuation Insurance (for short and long-term disability)
• Long Term Care Insurance

Other Benefits
The City offers numerous other benefits and programs for employees, including:
• 457(b) deferred compensation plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Bus Pass on Madison Metro
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Employer-paid Training
01
Below you will be asked to respond to yes/no questions and one question in a text box. You may prepare your answer in another document and then 'cut and paste' your response into the text box. Otherwise, you can work on your response within the application and save your work to come back later, as needed. Please be sure to provide a complete response.

• I understand that my response is required as part of the application and may be used to determine who will move forward in the process.

02
Are you able to meet the training schedule below, as required for this position?• Approximately three (3) weeks of CDL training: M-F, 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM.After receiving your CDL license, mechanic training will begin and the schedule will be as follows:• Two (2) weeks of service lane training: M-F, on second shift (4:00 PM - 12:30 AM)• One (1) week of dispatcher training - Sun - Thurs on third shift (11:00 PM - 7:30 AM).The remainder of training may be on first shift, second shift, third shift, or a combination of any/all until training is completed. Training period will be at least six (6) months.

• Yes
• No

03
During and after the training, are you available to work any shift including first, second, or third shift, weekends and holidays?

• Yes
• No

04
Please describe your experience and/or education in auto or diesel mechanics or with heavy equipment in construction, agriculture or related field.
05
Have you have been a student participant in a cultural, educational, or career-related development program? Examples of such programs include: • AASPIRE Internship • Centro Hispano - Caminos/Escalera • Forward Service Corporation • Hmong Language and Cultural Enrichment Program (Center for Resilient Cities) • ITA • Latino Academy of Workforce Development (Bridge Lake Point Waunona Neighborhood Center) • Lussier - Women Rise Up! /Buffett Scholars/Beats • Nehemiah - LIGHT/Brother • Odyssey • Omega School • Operation Fresh Start • Simpson Street Free Press • Urban League career programs • UW People Program • Wanda Fullmore Teen Intern Program • YWCA YWEB Career Academy • Other

• Yes
• No

06
If you were a participant in any of the programs listed above, please indicate the specific program name and the year(s) in which you participated. (Example: Operation Fresh Start Conservation Academy, 2026)
Required Question