Transit Operators Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $27.28 - $38.26 Hourly
Location : Bremerton
Job Type: Part-Time
Job Number: 202600001
Department: ACCESS and Routed Service Operators
Opening Date: 01/01/2026
Purpose of the Job
Kitsap Transit is seeking customer service specialists to help drive our community! Start your career with Kitsap Transit as a bus driver today.
Are you passionate about delivering exceptional customer service and making a positive impact in your community? As a bus driver, you will be responsible for providing top-notch customer service while efficiently and safely transporting passengers to their destinations in a safe and courteous manner. You will build and maintain relationships with passengers and fellow employees, fostering a positive partnership through your service to the communities in Kitsap County. Please note that training requires full-time availability.
If you're interested in a career that helps move our community and offers work-life balance, apply today!
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities
Prerequisites For the Job:
- Excellent customer service skills
- A valid driver's license for at least 5 years
- A willingness to learn (no experience required!)
- A strong work ethic and a desire to serve others
- The ability to work split shifts, holidays, weekends, and evenings
- The ability to pass an FTA drug screen and a pre-employment physical
Minimum Qualifications and Knowledge Skills and Other Characteristics
Ideal Candidates:
- A team player
- Passionate about helping others
- Responsible and reliable
- Looking for a career, not just a job
- Safety-minded
Job Benefits:
- Competitive salary and great benefits
- Public Employees Retirement System
- Medical coverage for you and your dependents
- Generous leave starting at 6.76 hours per pay period after starting
- Paid training to obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
Starting Pay:
- Paratransit Driver: $27.28/hr., annual increases to $37.11 at year 7, per current wage chart.
- Fixed Route Driver: $28.54/hr., annual increases to $38.26 at year 7, per current wage chart.
Join us and be part of a team that makes a difference!
Licenses/Certifications, Benefits, ADA and Other Requirements
APPLICATION PROCESS
Only complete online applications will be accepted. Incomplete application packets will not be considered.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
You must be in good physical condition including eyesight correctable to 20/40, and have normal speech and hearing ability. You must pass a pre-employment physical capacities test, CDL physical examination and a drug screen prior to hire. Additionally, you must pass a practical fit test to ensure that you have sufficient strength to operate a large vehicle and help passengers in wheelchairs with their personal belongings. You must be able to fit comfortably in the driver's seat, safely and effectively reach and operate pedals and equipment and push/pull manual wheelchairs with passengers in them.
WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Sit and operate a bus for long periods with few breaks.
• Turn side-to-side and reach overhead to adjust mirrors and push/pull a force of 20 pounds.
• Lift up to 25 pounds overhead.
• Lift up to 50 pounds to assist passengers with bags or packages.
• Partial lift/slide of wheelchair on the bus (up to 115 lbs. of force).
• Bend, squat, kneel to secure wheelchairs, to install tire chains, and to complete pre-trip inspections of vehicles.
• Climb up and down steps to get on and off the bus frequently.

The successful candidate will be expected to meet the qualifications for the position and perform the essential duties with or without reasonable accommodations.
Selection Process - Applicants who meet the minimum requirements may be scheduled for a variety of tests to demonstrate knowledge, and skills for the position as well as an interview.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
Kitsap Transit is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the hiring process, contact jobapplada@kitsaptransit.com or 360-479-4348 (TDD).
VETERANS SCORING
If you qualify for the Veterans Scoring Criteria under RCW 41.04.005 and 41.04.010, you must answer all questions regarding Veterans Scoring Criteria Status Declaration in the application and upload a copy of the substantiating document as listed in the application.
For question regarding the job announcement and/or application: Janel Silver or email: JanelS@kitsaptransit.com or (360) 473-1138.
Benefits for our Operators vary and Operators are eligible to receive benefits the first of the following monthly an Operator is eligible.
Please find more information at
01
Please review some important information about the position so you have a clear understanding of the role and what to expect if you are hired. This position is based on seniority. When you first begin, your choices of work schedules will be limited. Most new operators will not know your assignment until the evening before. You will have one guaranteed day off and one regular day off per week, though you may still be called in to work on your regular day off if needed. You could have split shifts, with one starting in the morning and another beginning in the evening, working out of different bases. It generally takes about one to two years to have a consistent schedule.Our service operates long hours, and shifts may fall anywhere within these times: Monday through Friday from 3:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. These hours are subject to change as needed to meet the demands of the community. Flexibility in your availability is especially important when you are starting out. As you gain seniority, you will have more flexibility and control over your schedule. We conduct four quarterly work bids each year, which allow operators to select their work base (North, Central, or South), their days off, whether they prefer a five-day or four-day workweek, their start times, and the routes and bus sizes they operate. Over time, this process allows you to shape your schedule to better fit your lifestyle. In terms of benefits, after five years you will become vested in the Public Employees Retirement System, also known as PERS. Many of our operators have been with Kitsap Transit for decades, some for over forty years, which speaks to the stability and quality of our organization. As a Coach Operator, safety and customer service are our top priorities. You will be expected to provide safe and reliable transportation, deliver excellent customer service, and maintain professionalism at all times. Operators are required to wear a uniform and follow all company policies and procedures. We provide full training and will assist you in obtaining your CDL license. From the beginning, you will have the support and resources you need to be successful. Now that you've had an overview of the position, Do you accept the requirements of this job?

• Yes
• No

02
Are there any hours of the day or days of the week you are unavailable to work?

• Yes
• No

03
Total training may take anywhere between 8 to 12 weeks, which will be held at various locations throughout the county and at different times during our hours of operation, Monday through Friday, 3:30 AM - 10:30 PM, Saturday 6:00AM - 7:30pm and Sunday 7:00AM - 5:30PM.You must be available to attend up to 200 hours (5 weeks) of initial training, Monday through Friday, usually during regular business hours at our various reporting locations. Following the initial training, you will receive approximately 2-3 weeks of ACCESS on-the-road operator training.Are you available and willing to attend the required training at varied times, shifts and locations?

• Yes
• No

04
ACCESS service operates from three bases at these locations: Bremerton, Poulsbo and Port Orchard. Are you able and willing to report to work at any of these three bases providing your own transportation?

• Yes
• No

05
Do you have the legal right to work in the U.S.?Note: All employment offers are contingent upon proof of eligibility to work in the U.S.

• Yes
• No

06
Are you or will you be at least 18 years of age at the time of hire?

• Yes
• No

07
Qualified applicants must posses a valid Washington State Driver's License at the time of hire, with 12 months driving experience and have an excellent driving record. Do you have, or are you able to obtain, a Washington State Driver's License by the time of hire?

• Yes
• No

08
If you are chosen for the position you must pass a physical capacities test demonstrating your ability to perform the tasks listed in this questionnaire, a CDL physical exam and a urine drug screen. Also, we require visual acuity of 20/40 in each eye. Corrective lenses will be required as per DOT guidelines.As far as you know, can you pass these exams?(Failure to pass the physical exam or drug screen will result in withdrawal of the conditional employment offer).

• Yes
• No

09
Have you received any DUI/DWI citations within the last seven (7) years?

• Yes
• No

10
We are required to utilize a service to monitor employee driving record activity. Do you agree to have your driving record monitored during your employment with Kitsap Transit?

• Yes, I agree
• No, I do not agree

11
Have you been convicted of a felony within the last ten (10) years?(If yes, your application will not be considered for employment. As this position includes going to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Kitsap Transit is unable to accept applications from candidates who may be disqualified under this criteria.)

• Yes
• No

12
Within the past two (2) years, have you either refused to be tested or tested positive on ANY PRE-EMPLOYMENT drug or alcohol test for a safety sensitive job you applied for but did not get?

• Yes
• No

13
If you have received any of the following citation(s) and/or incidents in the past five years, total the number of points associated with the citation(s). Date and type of Incident/Citation and/or Conviction.Your personal and employment driving history during the last five years will be verified by contacting the licensing departments of the state(s) where you have had a driver's license.(1 point) Accident (not at fault)(2 points) Accident (at fault)Add a point to any offense listed below if the offense occurred in a company vehicle or on company time2 Operating without lights on2 Carpool/toll lane violation2 Driving on the shoulder2 Driving without insurance2 Failure to appear2 Failure to signal2 Following too close2 Impeding traffic (travelling too slowly)2 Improper lane travel2 Speeding (0 - 8 mph)2 Distracted or Inattentive Driving3 Improper child restraint3 Failure to yield to emergency vehicle3 Speeding (9 - 12 mph)3 Driving without a valid driver's license3 Seatbelt use violation3 Speeding in a school or construction zone (1 - 5 mph over the speed limit)4 Speeding in a school or construction zone (6 mph and over the speed limit)4 Cell phone use or texting violation4 Deferred prosecution for negligent driving, reckless driving, hit and run, leaving an accident scene, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol4 Driving too fast for conditions4 Failure to yield or stop, disobeying a road sign4 Red light camera violation 4 Illegal passing, turning or lane change4 Open alcohol container4 Speeding (13 mph over the speed limit)4 Violation of bus stop paddle4 Eluding law enforcementNever Eligible Offenses - Any conviction surrounding a fatal accident (vehicular homicide, manslaughter, etc.), using a vehicle in commission of a felony, and/or vehicular assault appears on their driving record - LIFETIME INELIGIBILITY10 Year Ineligible Offenses - Any conviction for negligent driving, reckless driving, hit and run, leaving an accident scene, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol - 10 YEARS INELIGIBILITY5 Year Ineligible Offenses - Any conviction for suspension/revocation related to a 4-point offense (see Offense Point Table) - 5 YEARS INELIGIBILITY3 Year Ineligible Offenses - Any conviction or combination of convictions earning 4 or more points (see Offense Point Table) - 3 YEAR INELIGIBILITY

• Total points equal 3 or less
• Total points equal 4 or more

14
If you answered YES to the previous question, can you document that you have successfully completed a Return to Duty process with a Substance Abuse Professional?If you answered NO to the previous question, please select "n/a".

• Yes
• No
• N/A

15
Having a telephone with message capability is a requirement of the job.Do you or will you have a telephone with message capability at the time of hire?

• Yes
• No

16
There are many positive aspects to the ACCESS & Routed Operator jobs, as well as some aspects that some people find stressful. Listed below are some of those aspects of the jobs.Please read the items below and indicate whether you are able and willing to do each one if you receive appropriate training.• Escort and assist passengers door-to-door.• Assist passengers on/off the bus who may be in visibly poor health.• Assist passengers on/off the bus who may have poor hygiene/offensive body odor.• Transport people who may be difficult to understand and who may become easily frustrated or angry.• Transport people who may be verbally abusive and who use profanity.• Transport passengers who use mobility aids such as wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, canes and crutches.• Transport passengers with mental issues such as Alzheimer's/Dementia.• Transport customers who may need to use service animals.• With adequate trai...