Bus Driver- (Full-time, PVTA - Northampton)

Public Transit Bus Operator (Full-time)

Jumpstart your career today if you already have a valid CDL license with Passenger Endorsement and no Airbrake Restriction.

We're sorry, all CDL Sponsorship positions are full. Please only respond to this job posting if you already have your CDL with Passenger Endorsement and no Airbrake Restriction.

Your driving record must reflect safe driving habits.

Hourly Pay Rate: The starting pay rate is $24.85/hour.

Join our Outstanding Team of Public Transit Professionals!

Valley Area Transit Company (VATCo) proudly provides fixed route bus service (7- days/week, 363 days/year) for the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority within the Hampshire County Area. We are currently seeking to fill full-time Bus Operator positions.

Submitting your Cover Letter and Resume If you would like to submit your cover letter and resume after reading the detailed information below, you may do so by either uploading them via this website or by visiting the Career page at pvta.com

License Requirement: To be a public transit bus operator for VATCo, you must posses a current Massachusetts Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Passenger (”P”) Endorsement on your license, and no Airbrake Restriction at the time of your resume submission. A CDL issued from the State of Connecticut is acceptable if you reside in CT.

NOTE: If you do not have a CDL with Passenger and Airbrake Endorsement, please do not submit your resume in response to this job posting. All CDL Sponsorship slots are full for the next few months. Please be sure to respond to our CDL Sponsorship postings when they occur if you are interested in becoming a full-time Bus Driver but do not have a CDL.

Medical Requirements Public Transit Bus Operators must meet the medical qualifications for commercial licensing and are required to obtain and maintain a current DOT Medical Card at all times. All job offers are made contingent upon meeting the DOT medical requirements of the job. Medical cards are normally issued for a 1–2-year period but can be issued for a lesser period depending on individual medical circumstances. Medical cards must be current at all times.

DOT regulations require the employee/patient to provide current and thorough backup documentation from his or her specialist and/or primary care physician to obtain a valid medical card. Such conditions include but are not limited to diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and other sleep disorders, and certain mental health conditions. Therefore, all newly hired Bus Operators must pass a DOT physical as part of the pre-employment process requirements. Importantly, when attending the pre-employment physical appointment, you must be prepared to bring any necessary documentation to the physical appointment to provide evidence that certain medical conditions (if applicable) are being treated, monitored, and managed appropriately. Being prepared to provide such documentation at the pre-employment physical appointment will prevent significant delays in the pre-employment screening process. Such delays could result in the inability to complete the pre-employment process on time for the scheduled class, thus disqualifying the candidate from employment.

General Information About the Job

Position Summary: The Bus Operator’s primary responsibilities are to safely and efficiently operate his or her assigned bus on a specified route by the schedule allotted for that route; transport passengers over specified routes to local or distant points according to time schedules; act as a “front-line” customer service representative of the company using sound judgment, communication skills, and professional knowledge to assist customers with information, resolve problems and conflicts where possible, and assure passenger safety; promptly and accurately complete all required associated reports and forms daily. Must be able to thoroughly learn and understand routes and transfer points, required fare structure, and knowledge of bus operation, as well as meet all legal requirements for commercial driving and license regulations. Must possess excellent customer service skills. Must be able to meet the physical demands of this position.

Training: The specific training schedule is established upon hire and is generally completed within the month of employment.

Training Dress Code: The training dress code includes a medium blue collared shirt, dark blue khaki pants, and black closed-toed shoes, non-slip shoes. Trainees are responsible for supplying their clothing during the training and probationary periods. A uniform allowance is available after the successful completion of the probationary period.

Once training is completed, your schedule is determined by the quarterly bidding process.

Importantly, the training program is not training for CDL licensing. Applicants must already possess a CDL class A or B with a passenger endorsement (on the license) and no airbrake restriction to be considered. Training of newly hired bus operators focuses on routing, driving, safety, customer service, processes and procedures, equipment-specific training (i.e., fare box and bus equipment, etc.), and other related topics.

Union Status: Union Status: Following the 90-day probationary period, the bus operator is required to become a bargaining unit employee. The bus operator is required to pay related union dues after 30-days of employment.

To be Considered All resumes must identify what type of license you hold, and which endorsements and/or restrictions you have (other than corrective lenses). Please be sure to indicate that you have a “P” endorsement and no Airbrake Restriction on your license.

If you are selected for an interview, VATCo’s Office of Human Resources will contact you at the number on your resume. Upon notification, your CDL license status, contact information, and an appointment time will be confirmed, and a packet of information will be mailed to you, which will include all employment application paperwork.

If selected for an interview:

1. You must bring a current CDL. Your CDL and endorsement status must be verified before the interview takes place. If you do not have a “P” Endorsement on your license and/or have an Airbrake Restriction, you cannot proceed to the interview.

2. You must bring a current motor vehicle record to the interview, including one from each state in which you resided in the past ten (10) years. All driving records must be obtained from the Registry of Motor Vehicles (the cost to obtain is currently $8 for an unattested copy that can be emailed to you). Your record must be dated no more than 30-days from the date of the interview to be considered current and must be in good standing. Please do not request your driving record from the Boston Office, since it is not necessary to have the Registrar’s signature on your record.

Helpful Tip: If you reside outside the state of Massachusetts within the past 10 years, it is advisable to obtain your out-of-state driving records (if applicable) for your files before being selected for an interview, since it can often take significant time to do so. Doing so will expedite the MVR verification process if you are selected for an interview. Driving records from outside the state of Massachusetts can be dated more than 30-days from the interview date, as long as the date covers all the time in which you resided in that state.

3. Based on DOT regulatory requirements, all commercial driving positions you previously held within the past two years will be subject to verification and drug/alcohol history checks.

4. All work history, especially commercial driving experience, must be verifiable to be considered for this position. All work-related references must be acceptable and completed timely.

5. Current contact information for at least three-work related references (including most recent employment) must be provided during the interview process. All work-related reference checks will be conducted during the pre-employment process and must be received before the start of training.

6. Your post-offer criminal background check (CORI) must not reveal any disqualifying criminal history.

7. Candidates who are offered a position must pass a pre-employment DOT physical and drug screen. Obtaining a new DOT medical card from VATCo’s designated medical provider will be required.

8. Successful completion of the VATCo Bus Operator Training program is required of all Bus Operators. NOTE: This a CDL training.

NOTE: Some advanced preparation may be required before starting class. For example, during the pre-employment process, trainees may be issued routing guide materials to review in preparation for class training.

9. Flexible Schedule Requirement: Current training occurs on a varied schedule Monday – Sunday, depending on a variety of factors including trainer/trainee availability, training topics, and other factors. Therefore, some schedule flexibility is required during the initial training period.

Once training is completed, your specific workdays, specific days off, and specific work hours are based on seniority and the result of the bidding process and are subject to change with each work bid. It is expected that you will regularly be required to work Saturdays and/or Sundays, and/or during the evenings. VATCo currently operates bus service on all holidays except Thanksgiving and Christmas. No guarantee of any specific holiday off can be made.

Service is reduced when area colleges are not in session, thereby reducing the number of shifts available for part-time employees.

10. You must obtain a DPU card if hired. The company will sponsor obtaining the DPU card if you do not already have one.

11. You will be required to complete the self-certification process either in person at the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles or (2) online using the RMV’s online service. Regardless of whether or not you completed this process in the past, you must do so again after you complete your pre-employment and DOT physicals and obtain a current medical card.

Qualified females and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply for our open positions

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $24.85 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Uniform allowance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Holidays
• Split shift
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Commute:

• Northampton, MA 01060 (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Northampton, MA 01060: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $25