Bus Operator

Distinguishing Features of Work

Starting hourly wage for this position is $17.69 per hour

Join the Wichita Transit team. Driving with transit as a Bus Operator provides the opportunity to positively impact our neighbors and friends in the Wichita community. Every day, thousands of people depend on our Bus Operators to provide reliable and safe transportation throughout the City.

From the early morning weekday commuter trip for work to a lively late night trolley ride on the weekends, Wichitans represent a diverse group of riders that appreciate service with a smile. To provide the best possible service to our community, Transit relies on a dedicated team of Bus Operators that are able to reliably arrive fit for work on time regardless of weather and traffic conditions.

The driver's seat is an office with a view. With early morning and occasional late night shifts, driving is a beautiful way to see the cityscapes and changing seasons throughout the consistent year-round employment.

We invite you to explore the full position details below and apply to join our team as a Bus Operator if this is the right fit for you.

This is responsible work that involves transporting people from one location to another in the safest manner possible by means of a bus. The position reports to an Operations Superintendent. Work schedules are determined by seniority and shift bid. Must be available for work between the hours of 4 AM to 1 AM, Monday through Saturday.

The days and hours for this position: Monday-Saturday 4:00am-1:00am

Bargaining Unit: Transit Teamsters

Posting may come down at anytime

Examples of Work Performed

Operates the bus in the safest manner.
Ensures that correct fare is collected.
Assists passengers with disabilities with securing wheelchairs with the proper restraint procedure.
Keeps records related to bus operation as required.
Provides exemplary customer service to internal and external customers.
These examples are not intended to be all inclusive. Other job-related duties may be assigned as needed.

Requirements of Work

Ability to read, speak, and write the English language sufficiently to communicate with the general public, to understand traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries, and to make entries on reports and records in a clear and legible manner.
Knowledge of and ability to work with the four basic functions of mathematics.
Ability to read maps, understand and maintain time points and schedules.
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates, other employees, representatives of other organizations, officials, and the public.
Ability to answer questions regarding other routes and services.
Ability to work with a minimum of supervision.
Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergencies and other unusual situations.
Knowledge of the geography of the city and names and locations of streets.
Ability to: grip and perform other hand and foot motions necessary to safely operate a bus; to bend, kneel turn, twist and squat repetitively for short, sustained periods; to lift, push and/or pull a minimum of 50 pounds on level surfaces or ramps; to tolerate airborne nuisances associated with bus operation, including exhaust fumes and dust; to work and maintain safe operation during inclement weather conditions; and to perform repetitive squats and sustained 30-second squats.
Ability to acquire and maintain a valid Kansas driver's license
Ability to acquire and maintain a valid CDL Kansas driver's license with-in 90 days of hire
Must be available for work between the hours of 4 AM to 1 AM, Monday through Saturday.
An employee shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Required Experience and Training

Successful completion of high school or equivalent educational attainment is preferred.

Prior Commercial driving experience is preferred.

Must have two years customer service experience.

A minimum of three (3) years of unrestricted driving experience is mandatory.

It is preferred that applicants have a valid Class A or Class B CDL with airbrake and passenger endorsements. However, individuals hired without a CDL must acquire one within six (6) months of being hired.
Must be available to work any time between 4 AM to 1 AM Monday through Saturday and some holidays.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need of a sponsorship.
Offers of employment are contingent upon passing a pre-employment physical, which includes drug screening, and upon satisfactory evaluation of the results of a criminal record check, including past 3 years driving record.

This is a safety sensitive position subject to the rules and regulations of the FTA Drug & Alcohol policy for required testing. You will be subject to pre-employment Drug & Alcohol Testing, Random Testing, and Reasonable Suspicion Testing. You will be required to fully comply with all operational safety rules and regulations established by Wichita Transit.

This position is represented by Teamsters Local 795 and includes Teamsters Pension.

This position may require pre-employment testing at any or all of the following: Workforce Center, City of Wichita Human Resources Department, or the Transit Department.
CITY OF WICHITA FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS 1. VACATION - Most employees with less than five years employment earn 10 days of vacation per year. After five years, accrual rates increase at varying rates to varying maximums, depending on work schedule and/or union representation. Employees can accumulate and carry forward up to 240 hours each year. 2. HOLIDAYS - There are eleven paid holidays. Employees also receive one Personal Holiday that is granted after the first six months of employment. 3. SICK LEAVE - Sick leave accrual begins at one-half day per month. After five years, sick leave accruals are one work day per month. Employees can accumulate and carry forward all unused sick leave each year. Employees who use 24 hours (3 days) or less of sick leave in a calendar year earn a "Well Day." An additional "Well Day" can be earned following a year of perfect attendance. 4. HEALTH INSURANCE - UMR / United Healthcare provides two levels of medical and prescription drug plans. Both medical plan are PPOs and do not require selecting a physician or referrals for specialty care. Both medical plans include Teladoc virtual care (primary care/mental health benefits at no charge), Dario healthy living programs, and VSP Vision benefits. Pre-tax premium deductions are offered. The City contributes 80% of the premium cost towards medical, prescription drug and vision insurance.5. DENTAL INSURANCE - Two Delta Dental plans are offered - Preferred and Traditional. The Delta Preferred plan requires using a dentist from a smaller network for a lower premium. The Delta Traditional plan allows use of any dentist, although benefits are higher using a dentist from the large Delta network. Benefits under both plans are the same (with the exception of some Orthodontic benefits) Pre-tax premium deductions are offered.6.LIFE INSURANCE - Low-cost voluntary term life insurance is available. Employees pay one-third of the cost. The amount of Basic Life coverage is two times annual pay up to a determined maximum amount. Dependent coverage is available at $20,000 spouse / $10,000 child(ren) for an additional $0.14 per pay period. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The plan is through MetLife.7.SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE - Additional voluntary employee-paid term life insurance is available from MetLife at low group rates. Participation in Basic Life is required. The Life Insurance plans are portable. 8. LONG-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE- The voluntary employee-paid group disability plan from MetLife provides 60% of pre-disability income for injury or health related disabilities. Premiums are determined by income and age. 9.VOLUNTARY ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT - Voluntary employee-paid AD&D from MetLife offers coverage for accidental death and dismemberment. 10.RETIREMENT - The City offers two retirement plans - Wichita Employees (WER) Plan 3, and Commissioned Police & Fire Plan C-79. The WER plan is a defined contribution plan; Police & Fire is a defined benefit plan. Both are contributory - employees and the City share the cost. 11.FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS - Employees may elect to make FSA pre-tax deductions for dependent care and/or unreimbursed medical expenses, reducing the cost of these expenses by eliminating taxes on the amount deducted.12. LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE - This plan from UNUM offers facility and home care benefits for employees, spouses, and some other family members. Several options for benefit amount and duration, and specific plan features, are available.13.MORE BENEFITS & SERVICES Deferred Compensation Investment Program Employee Discounts and Wichita Employee Association (WEA) Bereavement Pay Employee Emergency Assistance Fund Voluntary Shared Leave Program Training Programs Longevity Pay Credit Union Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Injury Leave (on-job injury) Community Volunteer Events