Transit Operator

Transit Operator (Full-Time) (Port Arthur, TX)

SALARY: $19.7201 - $24.4434, Hourly (DOE&Q) NON-EXEMPT
OPENING DATE: 03/25/2025
CLOSING DATE: Continuous Until Filled


JOB SUMMARY

To provide highly responsible and safe transportation services for the general public; to assist the elderly and disabled with boarding and riding security; and to provide staff support to the Transportation Division.


SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from the Transit Operations Supervisor.


EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Perform daily pre-operation inspections and preventative maintenance of assigned vehicle; ensure operation of lifts and radios; verify and replenish fluid levels including gas, oil and transmission fluid; report the need for repairs and maintenance to supervisor.

Issue transfers as necessary; collect transfers and fares from riders; count and record daily revenues.

Prepare and return passenger and vehicle usage forms; record daily transfers and passes.

Answer questions and provide information pertaining to routes, fares, time schedules and services; operate intercom including announcing loading and unloading stops.

Operate a two-way radio; maintain constant contact with dispatchers; coordinate with other operators pertaining to transferring passengers.

Maintain civil behavior of passengers; report unruly behavior and vandalism.

Obey traffic laws; exercise defensive driving techniques.

Participate in a variety of activities involving travel between various city facilities, external business and government agencies and residential areas which includes transporting clients to and from destinations.

Provide staff support to assist designated staff in the completion of their duties; provide training and direction as necessary.

May act as a receptionist; perform various clerical duties as assigned.

Assist with transportation program dispatching duties as assigned including answering phone calls and dispatching information to operators.

May provide training and direction to less experienced staff.

Operate as a team player, helpful to staff, management, and peers.

Employ all techniques of defensive driving to minimize risk of accidents and/or passenger injuries.

Program and operate fare boxes and destination signs.

Assist other city departments in identifying traffic hazards.

Perform related duties as assigned.

When Assigned to Paratransit Operations

Operate a Paratransit vehicle providing demand-responsive service to persons with disabilities on assigned routes and schedules.

Assist passengers when boarding and disembarking from vehicles, as required by ADA and Port Arthur Transit’s policy as applicable to Paratransit service.

Assist elderly and disabled persons into vehicle; load and unload parcels as necessary; secure wheelchairs.

QUALIFICATIONS


Knowledge of:

Basic geography, street and roadway locations in the city.

Operational characteristics of vehicles involved in mass transit.

Pertinent traffic laws.

Basic mathematical principles and practices.

Defensive driving practices and procedures.

Ability to:

Safely operate a large motor vehicle in all types of weather conditions.

Maintain accurate records.

Learn to operate a two-way radio.

Learn the basic operational aspects of assigned vehicles in order to detect mechanical problems.

Work independently in the absence of supervision.

Understand and apply pertinent laws, rules and regulations.

When Assigned to Paratransit Operations:
Have physical acuity to:

• assist passengers on and off vehicles, load, unload and secure wheelchairs
• lift (approximately 30 lbs.), stoop, bend, push/pull (approximately 50 lbs.)
• climb stairs
• ensure the safety of all passengers by proper use of on-board restraints.

Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:

• making observations
• reading and writing
• operating assigned equipment and vehicles
• speaking in a clear, audible voice
• communicating with others.

Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of:

• making sound decisions under stress
• thinking clearly in emergency situations
• interpreting local maps
• demonstrating intellectual capabilities.

Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include the following:

• sitting for extended periods of time
• assisting persons in boarding
• lifting moderately heavy to heavy parcels, including groceries/other purchases for paratransit riders
• maintaining orderly behavior.
• operating assigned equipment.

Effectively deal with personal danger which may include exposure to:

• angry, violent or dangerous persons
• exhaust fumes
• various weather and road conditions
• infectious or sick persons
• confined work places
• hazards associated with working in traffic.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:


Experience:
One (1) year of increasingly responsible experience performing bus or large van…