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Transit Operator Careers

Pierce Transit is now hiring!
Do you enjoy working with people? Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of people right here in your community? Are you looking for a career with a future? Our mission is to connect our communities with safe, reliable, customer-friendly transit options.
Pierce Transit drivers have been assisting people who are on the go in Pierce County for over 35 years. The first step to becoming a driver begins with an application to become a Relief Transit Operator (RTO). If you are selected for this role you will receive paid training from the experts who will ensure that you gain hands-on experience and are fully prepared for success. Upon completion of the six-week training course, you will be eligible and in line to be promoted to full-time positions based on your seniority.
FAQs
To be eligible you must:
+- 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:
+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.
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The job also includes:
+- 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
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Hours of Work:
+- If selected from this recruitment, you must be available to attend full-time training for a period of six (6) weeks, beginning Tuesday, March 12, 2019.
- Relief 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.
- Pierce Transit's operating hours begin at 1:50 a.m. and continue until 1:29 a.m.
- Relief Operators are expected to drive any shift and any route including nights, holidays, weekends, mornings, split shifts, and days off, if necessary.
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Union Membership:
+Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 587 represents the Relief Transit Operator positions
Special Requirements:
+Successful candidates will be invited to a hiring event for the Relief Transit Operator position which includes an overview of the position and two sets of interviews. Successful candidates from the hiring event will be issued conditional offers of employment. At that time, more details about the following requirements will be provided:
- Physical and drug screen
- CDL Learner’s Permit with Air Brake and Passenger endorsements
- Criminal conviction record evaluation
- Current five-year complete driving record abstract
- Employment reference checks
Training:
+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.