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Part-time Transit Operator

Department of Transportation, Transit Operations
Annual Salary Range $17.74 (Entry) — $25.34 (Top)
Job Announcement No. PTTO 2007
Open: 01/01/06
Close: OPEN UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Candidates who successfully complete training will start at $17.74 per hour with subsequent increases given until the top of the range is reached. During the 26-day training program the rate of pay is $8.07 per hour.

Job description

Provide safe and courteous and on-time transportation to the general public in a variety of mass transit vehicles; adhere to traffic regulations; collect fares, issue transfers; provide verbal information to the public regarding routes, schedules and transfer points; communicate and interact with individuals of various backgrounds and abilities; communicate with Service Communications by radio and provide verbal and written reports. Punctuality and regular attendance are required in this position in order to provide dependable service to the public.

Minimum qualifications

• 21 years of age
• Valid Washington driver’s license
• An acceptable driving record at the time of offer
• Reliable transportation to report to work
• Ability to speak and write in English

Hours of work

• Monday through Friday only, weekends and most holidays off
• Minimum guaranteed pay of two hours and 30 minutes per day
• Must be available to work during either the AM hours (4:30-11 a.m.) or PM hours (2-8:30 p.m.)

Assignments are selected by seniority; therefore, we cannot guarantee that you will work at a base location of your choice. Transit operators work the same assignment for four months; during “shake-up”, operators may select new routes, work locations and hours of work according to seniority. Full-time operators are selected by seniority, work, and driving record from among the current part-time operators.

Working conditions

Transit operators sit for extended periods of time, lift or pull up to 40 pounds, perform repetitive body movements to operate controls, work independently with a minimum of breaks, operate a transit vehicle in heavy traffic and in emergency or hazardous situations or conditions.

Union membership

This classification is represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 587.

Training

All new drivers are required to complete our 26-day training program. You will be provided with paid classroom and driver training. A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and prior transit driving experience are not required; however, you must show proof that you have a CDL Learner’s Permit prior to the start of training. A CDL class “B” must be obtained within the first two weeks of training. Training hours average 25 per week. Attendance is required at every class; no makeups are allowed.

Training will be held during the following hours:

AM Training Class 7-11:30 a.m.
PM Training Class 2-6:30 p.m.
First two weekends of training between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Third weekend hours will vary depending upon route assignment.

Benefits

Within six months from the date of hire, we offer a complete benefits package for all part-time transit operators, including:

• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance
• Public Employment Retirement System
• Deferred compensation plan
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Bus pass

Transit operators are eligible for partially paid benefits for the employee only; additional benefits may be purchased for dependents and domestic partners.

Necessary special requirements

• A drug test prior to employment, taken no more than 90 days prior to beginning training. Transit operators are subject to random, post accident, reasonable suspicion, return to duty and follow-up drug and alcohol testing.
• A current five-year complete driving record abstract from the state Department of Licensing is required upon hire; violations are evaluated by their recency and severity. Any of the following traffic code violations within the last five years automatically disqualify you from consideration: suspended license for moving violations, reckless or negligent driving, DWI/DUI (driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol), hit and run incident, vehicular homicide or vehicular assault, more than one "at fault" accident, open container violation.
• Criminal conviction record evaluation for the past seven years from the date of application. A conviction will not necessarily bar you from employment consideration.

Application procedure

1. Complete an Employment Application for Safety Sensitive Positions and submit at the orientation and testing. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED AT ONLY THE TIME OF ORIENTATION AND TESTING.
2. Call 206-684-1024 (recorded message) to reserve your seat for the next test date. Directions to the test site are below.
3. Take your safety sensitive application, applicant data sheet, and driver’s license to the test site at Metro’s Training and Safety Center, 11911 East Marginal Way S., Building A, in Tukwila.
4. Upon receiving a passing score on the passenger relations video test, you will sign a release form for a criminal background check and receive an interview on the same day. Your employment history will be verified and evaluated, and you will be notified of your employment status by mail or telephone within three weeks from your date of your interview.

Rehire applicants

If you have previously been employed with King County as a Transit Operator, write “REHIRE” at the top of the application and submit to:

King County Transit Division—Transit Human Resources
King Street Center
201 S. Jackson St., KSC-TR-0419
Seattle, WA 98104-3856

Directions to the test site

The Transit Operator Passenger Relations video test, orientation and interviews are held at Metro’s Training and Safety Center, 11911 East Marginal Way S., Building A, in Tukwila.

From southbound I-5

• Right on Exit 158 Boeing/E. Marginal Way (stay to the right on the exit road).
• Right on Boeing Access Road (Move to the far left lane on Boeing Access Road).
• Make a hard left at East Marginal Way S. (The first traffic light you come to).
• After the bridge crossing the river, bear to the right at the fork in the road just prior to the traffic light.
• After crossing the overpass, take the next right at S. 120th Pl. (just before the crosswalk sign).
• The test site will be in the building on your right.

From northbound I-5

• Right on Exit 156 (SR-599/Tukwila/ W. Marginal Way).
• Continue on the exit road to the "Interurban Exit" (the first exit you will come to).
• Turn left onto Interurban Ave. S.
• Continue on Interurban Ave. S. to East Marginal Way S. (East Marginal Way S. will be the third traffic light you come to).
• Turn left onto E. Marginal Way S.
• After crossing the overpass, turn right at S. 120th Pl. (Just before the cross walk sign).
• The test site will be in the building on your right.

Testing and orientation process

The video test, orientation, and interviews are administered weekly and are open to the general public. The orientation and test begin promptly at 8 a.m. and last until 11 a.m. There is no admittance to the testing area after 8 a.m. To reserve a space at an upcoming test, please call 206-684-1024.

The video test measures your ability to deal with a variety of passenger relations situations and safety issues when dealing with the public. There are no study guides available for this test. Responses to the exam are based on personal judgment. The tests will be scored immediately; you must receive a passing score of 138 or higher out of a total of 200 in order to move forward in the employment process. Those who pass the test will complete a criminal background check release and receive an orientation to the CDL process between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Interviews will be scheduled on the same day as the test, between 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. If necessary, applicants may reschedule an interview for a later date.

Please bring to the test:

Your completed safety sensitive application, applicant data sheet, and Washington State Driver’s License.

Page updated: March 14, 2008

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