Transit Operator II

City of Las Cruces•Las Cruces, NM

About The Position

Operates transit buses of various sizes on fixed routes and according to manifest instructions to provide safe, courteous, timely public transportation. The position serves transit users, supports passenger comfort and safety, provides route and fare information, assists passengers with boarding and wheelchair securement, and helps maintain order on the vehicle. Operators report safety, maintenance, and operational issues and complete required records and reports. Work takes place in a transit vehicle and transit operations environment, with exposure to all types of weather and traffic conditions, including potential extreme heat or cold, heavy traffic, and loud environments. The role has moderate physical requirements, including frequent sitting, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, squatting, pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying, and reaching from all levels. The position involves competing demands, multiple tasks, deadlines, occasional work beyond normal business hours, and responding to customer issues. Regular attendance is essential. The position is subject to drug testing under applicable State and Federal regulations and City of Las Cruces policies. This is a part-time, regular, non-exempt, union-represented position graded BC10. It is advertised continuously until filled, with periodic application reviews. First consideration is given to current employees who meet the minimum qualifications; meeting or exceeding those qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the selection process.

Requirements

No specific education requirements.
Valid Class B Commercial Driver's License with passenger endorsement.
Acceptable driving record in accordance with City of Las Cruces policies; specific license requirements apply, and the driving record is subject to review and approval.
Previous experience driving transit vehicles may be preferred.
A combination of education, experience, and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy.
Knowledge of applicable traffic regulations, signs, and signals; customer service, communication, and problem-resolution methods; safety hazards and practices; relevant operational principles, rules, and regulations; recordkeeping and records management; research and data-analysis methods; tools, materials, and equipment; business correspondence; English usage; computers and software; and City organization, operations, policies, and procedures.
Ability to prioritize multiple duties and meet deadlines; provide expected customer service; interpret and comply with policies, procedures, rules, standards, and regulations; collect information and maintain accurate records; protect confidential information; communicate effectively; prepare reliable reports; build effective working relationships; safely operate relevant equipment and vehicles; navigate even and uneven surfaces; enter data and update records; and exercise sound judgment and initiative.
Skills in safe transit-vehicle operation and compliance with traffic laws; reading maps, schedules, and route information; responding quickly to safety or security issues; managing assignments and inquiries; working independently or as part of a team; preparing reports and correspondence; researching and analyzing information; operating a personal computer with generic and specialized software; presenting information clearly; and using interpersonal communication and conflict-resolution skills.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience driving transit vehicles.
Bilingual skills in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

Operate transit buses of various sizes on fixed routes and in accordance with manifest instructions, schedules, policies, and procedures.
Provide courteous service to transit users and ensure passenger comfort, safety, and security in all weather and traffic conditions.
Maintain order among customers; address volatile situations tactfully and contact the police department when an unresolved behavior issue threatens passenger or staff safety or comfort.
Announce bus stops and provide fare, routing, destination, stop, cross-street, policy, procedure, and transit-service information.
Give directions and assist customers with boarding and with securing wheelchairs according to established processes and procedures.
Change the route display before beginning a new route to provide accurate and timely information.
Complete, submit, and file required special and recurring documents and reports, including incident, accident, and operational problem reports.
Cooperate with investigations of customer complaints.
Perform daily vehicle inspections to detect and report safety or maintenance problems, and report operational problems promptly to appropriate staff for repair.
Attend and successfully complete required training.
Assist with collecting data for transit-service planning and scheduling and with outreach activities.
Work cooperatively to improve operations, reduce turnaround times, streamline processes, and provide quality customer service.