Bus Operator

The Regional Transit Authority gets people moving around New Orleans. Our transit services provide mobility to residents of the city as well as tourists, providing incredible views and comfortable rides through historical neighborhoods and countless attractions. RTA’s system includes 4 streetcar lines, 30 bus routes, 2 ferry routes, and paratransit services. Our passengers take more than 19 million rides every year. Come join us and be a part of how New Orleans rolls!

This is an Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) employment posting. 

New employees will begin at 50% of the starting rate for the first six months.
Pay rate increases incrementally accordance with the ATU collective bargaining agreement.

Job Title: Bus Operator

Position Status: Full-Time

Starting Rate of pay: $16.31 (while in training) 

$22.83 Hourly (after successful completion of training)

JOB SUMMARY

Operate buses safely and efficiently over assigned routes while providing professional, courteous customer service to passengers and the general public in accordance with RTA policies and procedures.

REPORTS TO

Manager of Service Delivery

Transit Operations Supervisor 

TITLES OF POSITIONS REPORTING DIRECTLY TO THIS JOB

None

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions upon request.

Operates a passenger bus/vehicle over a prescribed route.

Operates the vehicle safely.

Provides passengers and the general public with information regarding the RTA system in a courteous manner.

Communicates via radio or public telephone to a central communication center all information pertinent to the safe and expeditious movement of the transit vehicle.

Immediately and accurately reports to the central communication system all unusual incidents and accidents.

Timely and accurately prepares written reports on incidents, accidents, and vehicle defects, and other written reports as directed.

Maintains time points, established running time, and maintains a schedule over a specific route.

Monitors the fare box, challenges fare irregularities; issues, validates, and accepts transfers according to regulations.

Interact with fellow Operators, Supervisors, and other company officials in a professional manner.

Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of RTA are carried out.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

Represents the company in litigation involving accidents as needed.

Performs other job-related duties that are in keeping with the goals and objectives of RTA.

Attends training sessions and other meetings as required or directed

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES 

Must be able to read and write English in a logical manner to complete reports, assignment sheets, other documents, and forms.

Must have the ability to compute basic arithmetic and to tell time accurately.

Must possess good oral communication skills to accurately relate information to the communication center, public, or management personnel.

Must possess good interpersonal skills to interact positively with other Operators, management staff, passengers, and the general public.

Must be able to learn to safely and defensively operate a transit vehicle.

Ability to drive a transit vehicle in a safe & defensive manner.

EDUCATION

Must possess a high school diploma or  G.E.D.

EXPERIENCE

21+ years of age

Six months minimum of customer service experience, previous experience as a driver, and work experience with the public preferred.

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS/DEMANDS

Must possess a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with a “P” endorsement 

Ability to maintain CDL and endorsements throughout employment.

Must submit to a criminal background check, the results of which must meet hiring criteria for the role.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The employee will be required to work in all types of weather conditions. The employee will be required to work a shift that spans 24 hours.  May be required to operate a transit vehicle up to 10 hours. The employee must be able to lift up to 50 pounds, be able to safely board and alight a transit vehicle, and sit for a long period in a seat fastened with a seat belt.

This is a designated Safety Sensitive Position under RTA Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace Policy [“Non-USDOT”]. Drug and Alcohol Testing is conducted under the RTA testing authority in accordance with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations.