Job description

Good pay. Good perks. Good hours.

If you’ve got a passion for people, we’ve got the perfect job for you! Metro is currently hiring part-time employees to operate the transit buses and interact with the public during commuter hours, Monday through Friday.

You get: medical, dental, vision, paid vacation and sick leave, and start at $19.35 an hour. King County offers additional benefits and resources to its employees—for a full list, visit www.kingcounty.gov/employees.

No commercial driving experience required—we offer PAID training ($10.18/hr., 26 consecutive days) to take your Commercial Driver’s License exam!

Folks who do well in this job have a strong customer service background, love people, and have a general aversion to cubicles.

To be eligible, you must…

• Be at least 21 years old at the time you apply
• Hold a valid Washington driver’s license, and have the ability to obtain a CDL Learner’s Permit with Air Brake and Passenger Endorsements
• Have an acceptable driving record at the time of offer. Any of the following violations within the last five years will automatically disqualify you from consideration:
  • reckless or negligent driving
  • DWI/DUI (driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs)
  • hit-and-run incident
  • vehicular homicide or vehicular assault
  • open container violation
  • more than one “at fault” accident within the past year
  • suspended license for moving violations
• Have reliable transportation to work
• Be able to speak and write in English
• Have an acceptable work history and employment references
• Be available for morning and afternoon shifts

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Working conditions

Transit operators must be able to meet the Federal Physical Qualifications for Commercial Drivers License (CDL) holders as found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 49 CFR 391.41. Medical waivers will be accepted only for insulin-dependent diabetes.

The job also includes:

• Sitting for extended periods of time
• Lifting or pulling up to 40 pounds
• Performing repetitive body movements to operate controls
• Working independently with a minimum of breaks
• Operating a transit vehicle in heavy traffic and (rarely) in emergency or hazardous situations or conditions

Hours of work

• Monday through Friday only, with weekends and most holidays off
• Minimum guaranteed pay is two hours and 30 minutes per day
• Work shifts fall during commuter rush hours. Morning assignments typically occur between 5 and 8:30 a.m.; afternoon/evening assignments typically occur between 3 and 6:30 p.m.
• Assignments change every four months and are chosen by operators in order of seniority. Metro cannot guarantee that you will work the hours, routes, or base location of your choice.

Union membership

Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 587 represents this job. An initiation fee and monthly dues are required for union representation.

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Special requirements

Details about the following requirements will be provided at the orientation session to applicants who successfully pass both the passenger-relations video test and the written test.

• Physical and drug screen
• CDL Learner’s Permit with Air Brake and Passenger endorsements
• Criminal conviction record evaluation
• Current five-year complete driving record abstract

Training

All newly hired drivers must complete Metro’s 27-day training program, which includes classroom and coach practice instruction. Metro does not require new hires to already have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or prior transit driving experience. Training time averages 25 hours per week. Attendance is required at every class; no make-up classes are allowed.

Training takes place over 26 consecutive days, including three weekends of eight-hour training days and two-to-four days off. Four weeks after new hires complete this training, they must also attend another all-day training on a Saturday.

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