Bus Driver

The Student Bus Operator is responsible for attending and successfully completing the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) bus operator training course where they are taught to operate WMATA commercial passenger buses on scheduled routes across the metropolitan area and provide courteous and professional customer service to passengers. The Student learns and adheres to all safety and traffic rules, company regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure the well-being of WMATA customers, employees, public, and themselves. Students must demonstrate their acquired skills and knowledge through the successful passing of examinations and practical demonstrations. This is a safety sensitive position subject to the rules and regulations of WMATA’s Drug and Alcohol Policy.

Principal Job Duties

• Successfully completes Bus Operator and CDL training program, which includes classroom study, on-route training, driving experience, and resources (including the Bus) necessary to take and pass the state CDL examination.
• Student who already have a CDL License are not required attend the CDL portion of the training.
• Learns to perform complete pre- and post-operation inspection of the assigned vehicles in accordance with WMATA policy to ensure tire pressure, fluid levels, safety equipment, gauges, and controls are in proper working order. Reports any safety issues on standard reports.
• Follows all required safety policies and procedures.
• Learns to safely operate a passenger bus along designated routes; read route descriptions and provide each customer with stellar customer service.
• Learns to continuously monitor the condition of assigned vehicles to ensure they are operationally ready at all times.
• Learn to complete and submit accident and incident reports in accordance with established guidelines.

Other Duties

• N/A

• Maintains and promotes awareness and accountability with safety policies and procedures while performing job functions. Promotes a positive safety culture and encourages reporting of safety concerns consistent with our Agency Safety Plan, other regulatory requirements within the Safety Management System and just culture principles.

The functions listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

Knowledge

• Become knowledgeable of relevant state, local and federal regulations
• Become knowledgeable of the policies, procedures, rules and regulations of the Authority
• Become knowledgeable of and apply standard defensive driving techniques
• Become knowledgeable of vehicle safety evaluation procedures
• Become knowledgeable of bus routes and schedules

Skills

• Basic computer skills
• Become skilled in operating a passenger commercial vehicle.
• Skill in providing customer and personal service.

Abilities

• Ability to listen to and understand information & ideas presented and respond to them accordingly
• Ability to work unusual hours, split shifts, weekends, holidays and overtime as required
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing
• Ability to work and maintain professional composure while under stress and pressure
• Ability to read and understand maps and timetables, which includes determining directions and following a mapped-out route
• Ability to pass the medical assessment related to the physical requirements of the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.

Machine, Tools, Equipment, Software, Hardware Required

Supervisory Responsibility

Not responsible for supervising others.

Minimum Education

• N/A

Minimum Experience

• No experience required
• Must be at least 21 years of age

Minimum Certification/Licensure

• Licensed driver for a minimum of four (4) or more years
• A Commercial Driver’s License or Learner’s Permit with Passenger Bus and Airbrakes endorsement before starting Bus Training
• Driving record must reflect no more than two (2) moving violations and no suspension or revocation due to moving violations within the last three (3) years
• Commercial Driver’s License (must be acquired by the conclusion of the Bus training program)

Preferred Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED
• Valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Passenger Bus and Air Brake endorsements