Motor Coach Operator Trainee

City of Santa Monica•Santa Monica, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Motor Coach Operator Trainee participates in a formal eight-week classroom and motor coach operation training program administered by the Santa Monica Department of Transportation. Trainees learn to operate a motor coach safely and properly and must successfully complete the program to be eligible for promotion to part-time Motor Coach Operator. Training pays $25.00 per hour. Upon successful completion, the candidate advances to Motor Coach Operator salary Step 1 at $27.58 per hour and serves a one-year probationary period. The role prepares trainees to operate a motor coach on assigned routes and schedules, serve passengers, and support safe, reliable public transportation. It works under close supervision of a Motor Coach Operator Training Coordinator, with detailed instructions provided. The position is safety-sensitive and subject to drug and alcohol testing under City policy and Federal Transit Administration regulations. Applicants must submit a current K-4 driving record printout obtained from a DMV office or kiosk with their application. It must have been issued within 30 days of the application date; online DMV website printouts and records from other agencies are not accepted. Applicants must also submit an online City application and required supplemental questions. A high school diploma or equivalent, a minimum age of 21, recent paid customer service experience, and the specified California driver license and commercial permit qualifications are required.

Requirements

Graduation from high school or equivalent.
Be at least 21 years old at the time of application.
One year of recent, paid customer service work experience assisting and providing information to the public.
Possess a valid California Class C driver license with at least two years of continuous safe driving.
If hired, possess a California Class A or B commercial driver permit before the first day of training, with appropriate medical certification and passenger endorsement, and with no restrictions for weight, number of passengers, or air brakes.
Obtain a Verification of Transit Training Document at the conclusion of training.
Meet the stated driving-record eligibility conditions: no three or more driver-caused or contributed accidents within the preceding 12 months; no conviction within the preceding three years resulting in a DMV 2-point count or more; no three or more DMV 1-point-count violations within the preceding three years; and no driving privileges revoked, suspended, or placed on probation within the preceding three years.
Demonstrate knowledge of effective customer service techniques, basic mathematics, and driver and vehicle safety rules and regulations.
Ability to learn to operate a motor coach safely and properly; respond to public inquiries courteously and tactfully; deal effectively with the public; work cooperatively, patiently, and professionally with others; follow written and oral instructions; perform simple mathematical computations; prepare simple reports; read maps; conduct safety checks; communicate on a two-way radio; and work with people from diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds and varied work styles, personalities, and approaches.
Skill in reading, writing, and communicating in English at an appropriate level and driving a passenger vehicle.
Submit an online City application, required supplemental questions, and a current DMV-office or DMV-kiosk K-4 driving record printout with the application by the filing deadline.
Candidates receiving an offer must complete a DOT pre-employment alcohol and controlled-substances screen and provide written consent to obtain drug and alcohol testing records from prior employers in the last two years.
Candidates who complete prior selection phases are subject to a thorough background investigation.

Responsibilities

Participate in a formal training program to learn motor coach operating techniques and safety procedures.
Learn and observe traffic laws, vehicle code regulations, and applicable safety rules and regulations.
Learn pre-operation vehicle preparation and inspection procedures.
Learn and practice defensive driving techniques.
Follow department standards and procedures for maintaining motor coach appearance and cleanliness while in service.
Operate wheelchair lift and bike rack equipment.
Provide the public with route, schedule, and transfer information and directions.
Make stop announcements and assist passengers when needed.
Prepare reports and forms, including accident reports, daily operation reports, lost-article forms, and witness/courtesy cards.
Perform duties related to fare collection, tariff acceptance, fare-box reading and recording, and transfer issuance and receipt.
Perform other duties as assigned.