Drive and Thrive

Thrive in a rewarding career with competitive wages,

benefits, paid training and growth opportunities.

Begin your career as a Transit Operator today!

Click HERE to Apply

Check out this episode of Pierce Transit's podcast to get a behind-the-scenes look at becoming an Operator. Listen on Spotify to learn more about the in-depth training program offered, the skills successful candidates need and some of the hidden benefits that come with driving a bus for Pierce Transit.

Qualifications

To be eligible you must:
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Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of hire.

Must have been licensed for a minimum of five (5) years to be considered.

Five (5) years of continuous, recent driving history is required (i.e.. no gaps in license status)

Must have an excellent driving record within the previous five years. Please see "Supplemental Information" for additional detail on the driving record review.

Applicants may apply with an out-of-state license, but must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License at the time of hire.

Must be able to obtain a Commercial License Permit by the first day of training.

Please note: In order to obtain a Commercial License Permit in Washington State, you must be able to provide your current license, Social Security number and proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residency.
Working conditions and requirements:
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Transit operators must be able to meet the Federal Physical Qualifications for Commercial Drivers License (CDL) holders as found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 49 CFR 391.41. Medical waivers will be accepted only for insulin-dependent diabetes.
The job also includes:
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Sitting for extended periods of time

Lifting or pulling up to 40 pounds

Performing repetitive body movements to operate controls

Working independently with a minimum of breaks

Operating a transit vehicle in heavy traffic and (rarely) in emergency or hazardous situations or conditions
Hours of Work:
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If selected from this recruitment, you must be available to attend full-time training for a period of six (6) weeks to become a Transit Operator.

Transit Operators are a critical role at Pierce Transit and the individuals selected must be available seven days a week.

Schedules can change with little, or no, notice and will vary from day to day. Your next day’s schedule becomes available at 4:30 p.m. the day prior.

Pierce Transit's operating hours begin at 1:50 a.m. and continue until 1:29 a.m.

Transit Operators are expected to drive any shift and any route including nights, holidays, weekends, mornings, and split shifts, if necessary.
Union Membership:
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Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 758 represents the Transit Operator positions
Special Requirements:
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Successful candidates will be invited to a Transit Operator Information Session, followed by an interview. Successful candidates from the interview will be issued conditional offers of employment. At that time, more details about the following requirements will be provided:

Criminal History Check/Driving History Review

Employment Verification

DOT Physical, Functional Assessment, and Drug Screening

Obtain Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) with Passenger Endorsement

Final Offer

Order Uniforms
Training:
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All newly hired drivers must complete Pierce Transit’s training program, which includes classroom and coach practice instruction. Pierce Transit does not require new hires to already have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or prior transit driving experience (only the CDL Permit Class B with Passenger endorsement is required for new hires. Pierce Transit completes CDL training on-site through third party testers. Attendance is required at every class; no make-up classes are allowed.

Pierce Transit is now hiring! No CDL required!

Do you enjoy working with people? Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of those in your community? Set your career in motion today at Pierce Transit as a Transit Operator!

No CDL? No problem! Pierce Transit will pay YOU to get your Class B CDL on-site with some of the best driving instructos in the industry!

As a trainee, base pay is $28.50 per hour
Upn successful completion of our 10-week training program, pay increases to $28.85!

The top of our Transit Operator pay range is currently $34.45 per hour, which equates to a base annual salary of $71,656, plus a competitive benefits package that includes:

Paid Leave (11 paid holidays, 2 personal paid holidays, up to 12 days of accrued sick leave, and up to 12 accrued vacation days per year)
Excellent Insurance options for you and your family (Medical, Dental, Vision)
Defined benefit retirement plan through the Washington State Public Employee’s Retirement System (PERS)
Deferred Compensation in a 457 savings plan with a 4.25% match
Tuition Assistance
Professional Development and Career Growth Programs such as Job Shadowing and Career Planning
Employee Wellness Program
Employee Assistance Program
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program for those eligible
ORCA Card for self and family member
Cutting edge training utilizing virtual reality
24/7 On-Site Gym, Driver Lounge, and Relaxation Room
Innovative services such as our Runners, Trolley, and BRT services, connecting our community with the transportation reliability they need

Additionally, there is often overtime work available. Pierce Transit Operators have been thriving and driving in Pierce County for over 40 years and we would love for you to drive us through the next 40! Operators also have room to grow with opportunities to become supervisors, instructors, dispatchers and managers, and many more!

The Commitment

Applicants are encouraged to review Pierce Transit's background check policy and the driving abstract section to ensure they have an acceptable driving record prior to applying. The background check policy can be found here.

Excellent Benefits
Accepting a position on the Pierce Transit team is the ticket to a rewarding career. The total employment package includes a competitive salary as well as a wide array of benefits.

Insurance Options
As an employee, you and your family can choose to be covered by one of several excellent medical and vision plans as well as dental, life insurance and long-term disability insurance plans are also available.

Tuition Reimbursement
Pierce Transit is committed to supporting the professional growth of our staff and provides a generous reimbursement for employment related tuition.

Retirement
As a public sector employee, you are included in the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System. Employees are eligible to participate in a Deferred Compensation (457) plan for tax-deferred retirement investment.

Transit Operator Recruitment process steps to hire:
The Transit Operator hiring process normally takes 6 to 8 weeks and candidates are encouraged to get their CDL Class B Permit with Passenger Endorsement as soon as possible after receiving notification of a conditional offer.

Apply to Transit Operator Job Posting
Attend a Transit Operator Information Session
Interview with Service Delivery and Human Resource Staff
Conditional Offer
Criminal History Check/Driving History Review
Employment Verification
DOT Physical, Functional Assessment, and Drug Screening
Obtain Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) with Passenger Endorsement
Final Offer
Order Uniforms
Start with Pierce Transit!

Build your future in fleet maintenance

Thrive in a rewarding career with competitive wages, benefits, paid training and growth opportunities.

Click HERE to Apply

A Great Place To Work! We have a strong commitment to the community we serve and our employees. Our mission is to connect our communities with safe, reliable, customer-friendly transit options.

Our Maintenance division maintains hundreds of vehicles, including buses, vans and trucks.

Excellent Benefits Pierce Transit’s total employment package includes competitive wages as well as excellent benefits. Employees of Pierce Transit are not required to contribute to Social Security. You and your family can choose to be covered by one of our medical and dental plans. Benefits also include life insurance, employee assistance and long-term disability plans.

Many of the maintenance jobs also have safety incentives, tool allowances and certification pay available!

Maintenance Positions

Come join the team in one of these exciting career opportunities!

Journey Level Mechanics diagnose, repair and rebuild our CNG, diesel, and electric buses as needed, ensuring our top of the line fleet is running smoothly. They may also work on gasoline-powered vehicles and equipment.

Preventative Maintenance Service Technicians perform routine service, inspection and minor repair to agency vehicles and equipment.

Apprentice Diesel Mechanics are a part of a State-approved apprenticeship program to become Journey Level Mechanics. This is an 8,000-hour program resulting in journey certification.

Body Repair Technicians perform skilled work repairing and refinishing our fleet including welding, painting and replacing parts.

Upholsterers repair and replace seats and upholstery in agency vehicles. They also operate table and or band saws and sewing machines.

Communications Technicians install, test and repair mobile and fixed-station equipment including control consoles, radio units, cabling and antennas.

Bus Lot Attendants coordinate the movements of the buses on the large bus lot where all the buses are stored, including directing fueling, washing and inventory.

Service Station Attendants work to ensure that the fleet gets fueled and cleaned overnight so that they are ready to roll early In the morning.

Fleet Care Attendants provide routine cleaning and sanitation services to agency buses, vans and vehicles to ensure our drivers and passengers have a clean enjoyable ride.