Public Transit Driver Trainer

The Public Transit Driver Trainer delivers high-quality training to new and existing bus, paratransit, and micro-transit drivers, ensuring they possess the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to operate vehicles safely, efficiently, and under regulatory requirements. This position involves classroom instruction, hands-on driving training, and evaluations, as well as staying updated on industry standards and transit authority policies.

One Team! One TARTA! The role of the Public Transit Driver Trainer will focus on supporting training operators within a new TARTA. In 2020, TARTA embarked on a transformational journey with the development of TARTA Next, a ten-year plan to increase community value through public transit services that make a positive impact. This transformation is powered by a dedicated team of professionals in each department from the leadership team to every front-line (and behind-the-scenes) team member.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design, update, and implement comprehensive training programs for bus, paratransit, and micro-transit drivers, including classroom instruction, behind-the-wheel training, and ongoing development to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Conduct orientation and initial training for new bus, paratransit, and micro-transit drivers, covering areas such as vehicle operation, defensive driving, customer service, safety procedures, and emergency response.
• Evaluate trainees' driving performance, identify areas for improvement, and provide constructive feedback. Administer driving skills assessments to ensure driver competency.
• Develop and deliver refresher courses for current drivers to address changes in regulations, policies, or procedures, and to ensure continuous improvement in safety and service quality.
• Stay current on Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations, ensuring all training programs meet or exceed required standards. Promote and enforce safe driving practices at all times.
• Maintain accurate training records, certifications, and assessments for each driver. Ensure compliance with all regulatory record-keeping requirements.
• Work closely with the operations and safety teams to identify performance gaps and develop training strategies to address them. Participate in accident investigations to help establish corrective training actions.
• Provide training in customer service skills, focusing on how drivers can interact with passengers professionally and handle challenging situations with empathy and courtesy.
• Train drivers on using transit-related technology, including fare collection systems, GPS, and communication devices.
• Offer guidance and support to drivers during their probationary and ongoing periods to help them succeed in their roles.
• Educate all staff on safety and security protocols including internal policies and procedures, DOT, FTA, & OSHA.
• Assist with safety and security duties as needed.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong ability to train and develop others in a clear, engaging, and patient manner.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to convey complex information effectively.
• Ability to assess situations, identify issues, and develop solutions, particularly in safety and operations.
• Understanding of customer service principles and the ability to train drivers in delivering positive passenger experiences.
• Proficiency in using training and safety software, along with transit-related technology and equipment.
• Ability to work well with people of diverse backgrounds and remain calm in high-pressure situations.

Minimum Qualifications

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

• Valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Passenger (P) and Air Brake endorsements.
• Obtain all licenses and certifications necessary for CDL training in Ohio within 6 months of employment
• Reliable transportation to and from work assignments, reasonable, reliable, and accessible means of communication during off-duty hours, and flexibility for evenings, weekends, and additional locations as necessary for operations.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required. A bachelor’s degree in education, transportation, or a related field is preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience as a licensed CDL driver or in a similar transportation role, with a strong safety record.
• Knowledge of DOT, FTA, and other relevant transit regulations.
• Prior experience in training or mentoring transit drivers is preferred.

Special Conditions

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be satisfied by the employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. TARTA provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The position may require alternating shift times, overtime, and holiday hours.

Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics described herein represent those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position involves both office-based classroom settings and on-the-road training. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

Physical Effort Required

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, and/or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. Extensive use of computer and keyboard and viewing of computer screen is required. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required of this job include vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

TARTA is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, parental status, military service, or any other protected status.