Motor Coach Operator Trainee

City of Santa Monica•Santa Monica, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Join Big Blue Bus - We are looking for customer service and safety-minded Motor Coach Operators to join our growing team. Blue Awaits You! Looking to steer your career in a new direction? Driving for Big Blue Bus can be a long-lasting career with company-covered benefits and training opportunities. Every day, Big Blue Bus connects thousands of people to new opportunities that await them. As a Motor Coach Operator, you will have a unique opportunity to enrich the lives of our customers, by ensuring they arrive safely and on time to their destinations. Further, you’ll meet new people, be an ambassador for the City of Santa Monica, and experience growth opportunities at every stop! If you enjoy driving, seek real opportunities for career advancement, and are passionate about making a difference in the community, then we invite you to drive Blue. A Motor Coach Operator operates a motor coach (bus) on an assigned route and schedule. In order to become a Motor Coach Operator, successful candidates must complete an eight-week formal training program as a Motor Coach Operator Trainee after which they are eligible to be promoted from a part-time Motor Coach Operator to a Motor Coach Operator. The training program is administered by the Santa Monica Department of Transportation. During the 8-weeks of training, the hourly rate is $25.00. Upon successful completion of the training program, the candidate will advance to the classification of part-time Motor Coach Operator at salary Step 1 ($27.58) and will serve a one-year probationary period. Motor Coach Operator - Hourly Salary effective July 1, 2026. Step 1: $27.58 Step 2: $29.55 Step 3: $31.52 Step 4: $33.49 Step 5: $35.46 Step 6: $39.40

Requirements

Knowledge of effective customer service techniques
Knowledge of basic mathematics
Knowledge of driver and vehicle safety rules and regulations
Ability to learn to operate a motor coach safely and properly
Ability to respond to inquiries from the public in a courteous and tactful manner
Ability to deal effectively with the public
Ability to work with others in a cooperative, patient, and professional manner
Ability to follow written and oral instructions
Ability to perform simple mathematical computations
Ability to prepare simple reports
Ability to read maps
Ability to conduct safety checks
Ability to communicate on a two-way radio
Ability to work with persons from diverse social, cultural and economic backgrounds as well as a variety of work styles, personalities, and approaches
Skill in reading, and writing and communicating in English at an appropriate level
Skill in driving a passenger vehicle
Graduation from high school or the equivalent.
Minimum 21 years of age at time of application.
One year of recent, paid customer service work experience assisting and providing information to the public.
Possession of a valid California Class C driver license with a minimum of two (2) years of continuous safe driving.
If hired, and prior to the first day of training, must possess a California Class A or B commercial driver permit with appropriate medical certification, passenger endorsement, and with no restrictions for weight, number of passengers or air brakes.
Must also be able to obtain a Verification of Transit Training Document at the conclusion of training.
In order to qualify for the position of Motor Coach Operator Trainee and to complete probation as a Motor Coach Operator, you must not have any of the following convictions, violations, and/or causes: (1) Within the preceding 12 months from the date of application, been involved as a driver in three or more accidents in which the driver caused or contributed to the accidents. (2) Within the preceding three years from the date of application, had committed any violation that resulted in a conviction with a DMV 2 Point count or more. (3) Within the preceding three years from the date of application, had committed three or more DMV 1 Point count violations. (4) Within the preceding three years from the date of application, had driving privileges revoked, suspended, or placed on probation.

Responsibilities

Participates in a formal training program to learn techniques and safety procedures for operating a motor coach.
Learns and observes traffic laws, vehicle code regulations, and appropriate safety rules and regulations.
Learns pre-operation vehicle preparation and inspection procedures.
Learns and practices defensive driving techniques.
Follows department standards and procedures for maintaining motor coach appearance and cleanliness while in service.
Operates wheelchair lift and bike rack equipment.
Provides directions and information to the public concerning routes, schedules, and transfers.
Makes stops announcements.
Assists passengers, when needed.
Prepares various reports, including detailed accident reports, daily operation reports, forms for lost articles, and witness/courtesy cards.
Performs various duties related to fare collection, tariff acceptance, fare box reading and recording, and transfer issuance and receipt.
Performs other duties, as assigned.