Bus Driver, Transportation I, II

About the role

The Bus Driver position is primarily responsible for the safety of passengers transported by the Tri-Valley Heartland Express Bus. This role involves considerable public interaction, requiring exceptional customer service skills. Duties include inspecting and maintaining bus safety and cleanliness, completing paperwork, marketing program services, answering customer questions, and collecting fares.

Responsibilities

Daily Operations

• Positively and professionally represent Tri-Valley Heartland Express and Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc., showing respect and appreciation to clients and the public.
• Act as a positive role model for peers, working as a team to support learning and success.
• Respect co-workers and appreciate their contributions to daily operations and overall program success.
• Mentor substitute and new drivers, assisting with training and daily/monthly forms.
• Safely transport passengers to scheduled destinations, adhering to routes and pick-up/drop-off times.
• Operate the wheelchair lift safely and secure passengers in the wheelchair area as trained.
• Assist ambulatory passengers with walkers or folding carts on and off the bus.
• Advise passengers to remain seated and use provided seatbelts.
• Enforce passenger policies to maintain a safe and positive environment.
• Operate communication equipment professionally and report delays to the Route Coordinator.
• Complete daily and monthly records, reports, training, paperwork, and attend meetings as required.

Public Relations and Marketing

• Perform public relations and marketing duties to increase ridership and public awareness.
• Deposit fare boxes weekly at designated drop spots.
• Sell tickets and collect fees.

Safety and Compliance

• Remain alert and focused on driving, accounting for weather and road conditions.
• Perform pre-trip and post-trip vehicle safety inspections before and after each route.
• Report vehicle problems promptly to the Transportation Fleet Supervisor.
• Immediately report vehicle accidents, breakdowns, or passenger incidents to minimize service disruption.
• Report employee injuries and complete workers' compensation accident reports by the end of the shift.
• Participate in mandatory drug and alcohol training and comply with testing requirements.
• Ensure vehicle compliance with MN/DOT regulations (fire extinguisher, spill kit, first aid kit, flashlight, securements).
• Use safety equipment on the bus as needed and comply with traffic laws.
• Maintain Tri-Valley Transportation Driver Certification to retain employment.

Requirements

• Current Medical Examination Card (upon hire and maintained thereafter).
• Minimum age of 21 if driving across state lines.
• Pass pre-employment drug screening and background check (requirements maintained continuously).
• Acceptable Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) results (annually thereafter).
• Minimum of three years of driving experience.
• Pass Tri-Valley Transportation Driver Certification training and observation (required to continue employment).
• Bus Driver I: Valid Driver’s License (maintained thereafter).
• Bus Driver II: Valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Passenger Endorsement (maintained thereafter).

Assistance for Unqualified Drivers

Tri-Valley will assist unqualified bus drivers in obtaining a CDL with passenger endorsement within 90 days of employment by providing:

• Up to 10 hours of entry-level driver training and classroom instruction to pass the written CDL test.
• Up to 30 hours of 1:1 training to practice driving with a Tri-Valley bus.
• Up to 15 hours of ride-along training to observe qualified drivers.
• Use of a Tri-Valley bus and driver for the behind-the-wheel test.

Pay

Starting wage for an unqualified bus driver: $21.75/hour.