General Statement of Duties:

Operate a public transit vehicle transporting passengers on an established or deviated fixed route to various locations throughout the County and other destinations; perform safety checks and maintain various reports of daily activities; and perform other related work as required.

This classification is the advanced level position in the Bus Driver series.

Reports to:

Transportation Services Coordinator or Transportation Services Manager

Classifications Supervised:

This is not a supervisory class.

Representative duties in this classification include:

• Operate a public transit vehicle on an established or deviated fixed route in various weather conditions.
• Transport passengers from various locations throughout the County.
• Operate routes during various shifts of day (early morning, day shift, evening shift).
• Board (load) and alight (unload) passengers safely at designated stops.
• Load and secure passengers utilizing mobility devices with various mobility device lifts.
• Conducts pre-trip safety check of a bus, ensuring proper operating condition of safety features such as brakes, lights, tires, and emergency equipment.
• Performs a general check for mechanical deficiencies.
• Provide customer service and represent the department in a professional manner.
• May wash, sweep, clean, or refuel buses and other automotive equipment.
• Checks various fluid levels for possible motor oil or coolant leaks
• Maintains a driver's log with accurate records of vehicle condition and possible maintenance problems
• Obey traffic laws.
• Assist passengers with various information including route schedules, fares, and policies.
• Operate an electronic farebox unit.
• Fuel bus, perform cleaning and sanitizing of buses as needed.
• Operates a two-way radio.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge of:

• Safe driving practices including various conditions such as rain, snow and ice.
• Familiar with state and federal laws and County policies regarding transit operations.
• Understands mechanical functions of a transit vehicles and their systems.
• Pre-trip inspections processes as required by California law..

Desired Skills:

• Clean driving record.
• Perform appropriately in situations requiring tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Visually inspect gas and diesel-powered equipment and determine mechanical defects affecting safe operation of electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical systems.
• Read and write at the level required for successful job performance.
• Follow radio procedures and transmit information in a clear and concise manner.
• Follow written and oral instructions.

Any combination of training or experience that would provide the knowledge and skills to successfully perform the listed duties is qualifying.

A typical way, but not required, to obtain the required knowledge and skills would be:

• Three (3) years of previous experience operating a high profile or commercial vehicle in a public transit agency.
• Must be at least twenty-one (21) years old.

Licenses and Other Requirements:

• Possession of a valid Class A, or B California Motor Vehicle Operator's License.
  • With the following:
    • Passenger and air brake endorsements
    • A California Special Driver Certificate valid for public transit bus driving (CVC § 12523.5)
    • A Current Medical Card as required by state and federal regulations.

Applicants are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and physical examination.

NOTE: Random Testing Requirements

• This job classification is required to participate in the County of Siskiyou Drug and Alcohol Testing program as mandated by the Department of Transportation.
• Applicants will be required to submit to a pre-employment/pre-duty drug test.
• Employees in this position will also be subject to random drug and alcohol tests for the duration of their employment in this position.

Typical Working Conditions/Environment:

• Transit bus in various outdoor environments.
• Seasonal heat and cold or adverse weather conditions.
• Evening or variable hours.
• Exposure to fumes, dust, odors and oil/grease.
• Driving a vehicle to conduct work.

Physical Demands:

• Sitting for extended periods of time while operating buses.
• Hearing and speaking to exchange information.
• Reaching, pulling and pushing to open bus doors.
• Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching to inspect and wash buses.
• Climbing ladders or steps.
• Reaching overhead, above the shoulders or horizontally.
• Seeing to monitor passengers and operate a vehicle.
• Lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

Hazards: Traffic hazards:

• Driving a vehicle during adverse weather conditions.
• Working at heights while inspecting and cleaning the buses.
• Fumes from chemical cleansers and bus operation.

DISCLAIMER: The duties and responsibilities listed are intended to be generally descriptive of the types of essential functions performed by positions allocated to this classification, but not an exhaustive list of all the duties which may be performed. Therefore, this classification description is not a complete statement of every duty or responsibility, but does list the essential functions of the job. The County of Siskiyou reserves the discretion to add or modify typical duties of a position as necessary for effective department operations.