MONTGOMERY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Code No. 4466
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND Grade 15
CLASS SPECIFICATION
BUS OPERATOR
DEFINITION OF CLASS:
This work involves operating a public transit bus to be of service to and transport
passengers. Employee contacts are with other employees in the same organizational
unit, the purpose of which is to pass on and receive work related information.
Employees in this class may have contact with public safety employees in response
to an emergency or hostile situation. The large majority of an employee's contacts
are with the public, occurring throughout the normal work day to provide direct
assistance to public transit riders by responding to their questions about directions,
fare charges, transfers, etc. Assistance is also rendered by employees helping
passengers embark onto and disembark from a bus and guiding, pulling, pushing
and securing wheelchairs and other related handicapped and elderly population
equipment and devices. The distinguishing characteristics of this assistance
are its brevity and daily occurrence.
An employee in this class, after successful completion of a driver training
program, is responsible for the safe and on time operation of a transit vehicle
in all types of climatic conditions and for tactful and courteous interaction
with the public. Employees in this class must be able to operate all of the
various types of public transit buses operated by the County. Work is performed
either on a fixed route basis selected by employees based on seniority, or a
non-repetitive/demand-responsive schedule by which passengers are provided door-to-door
service. Of particular importance about this class of work is the care and assistance
which employees are expected to extend to all passengers. Employees operate
their buses and drive their routes in strict accordance with written and verbal
instructions independent of direct supervision. In demand/response situations,
employees select the most efficient route of travel between pick up and drop
off points. Unruly passengers, traffic congestion problems and other unusual
situations not covered by instructions are referred to a supervisor for help.
Work performance is measured by periodic riding and stationary checks conducted
by other employees, supervisory review of farebox generated computer reports
as well as by considering comments received from the public and other measures.
The complexity of this class of work is characterized by employees having to
perform several tasks, some simultaneously - i.e., safely operate a transit
vehicle at different speeds under varying traffic conditions and meet arrival
and departure time requirements; assist passengers onto and off the transit
vehicle; transition from one route to another, which requires changing destination
signs, farebox rates, and transfer tickets; operation of vehicle wheel chair
lifts and related equipment; and answering passenger questions about destinations,
transfers, other public and privately operated transit systems, etc. Work also
requires employees to daily conduct a visual inspection of their assigned transit
vehicle and to complete a check list report, as well as prepare a written report
of any unusual conditions or events affecting the employee's provision of transit
services. The impact of properly performed work is realized by the safe and
on-time operation of a transit vehicle, thereby enabling passengers to consistently
depart from and arrive at posted times and locations. The large majority of
work assignments require continuous operation of a transit vehicle for extended
periods in all types of weather and traffic conditions. The work may include
"split" shifts as well as varying work days and start/finish times.
Medium physical effort, resulting in noticeable fatigue, is used in regularly
reaching, bending, turning, and constantly moving hands, arms, feet and legs
to operate hand and foot vehicle controls, and to periodically provide assistance
to passengers embarking onto and disembarking from a transit vehicle, including
passengers in wheelchairs and other devices which require special securing measures.
This class of work presents considerable risks due to the presence of disruptive,
hostile patrons among the riding public; strict observance to safety precautions
must be followed.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: (Illustrative Only)
Operates a transit vehicle to pick up, transport, and discharge passengers while
adhering to transit vehicle route schedule and motor vehicle laws.
Provides customer service and courteous interaction with passengers by responding
to inquiries about schedules, routes, fares, connections to other routes and
services, ridership promotions, and transit service policies.
Operates vehicle doors, wheelchair lifts and securing mechanisms, and related
equipment to allow passengers to enter and leave bus.
Maintains communication by radio or text messaging with supervisory employees
to report transit vehicle breakdowns, accidents, interruptions in service, or
other information vital to maintaining efficient transit operations.
Aids passengers boarding and departing from transit vehicle.
Inspects general condition and status of the vehicle before and after the daily
run; reports unsafe vehicle conditions or damage.
Provides route training and orientation to new vehicle operators.
Ensures deposit of prescribed fare; issues transfers as necessary.
Maintains vehicle operating records and prepares accident and prolonged traffic
delay reports.
Maintains appropriate security for transit vehicle and its contents; reports
the presence of suspicious packages or other items to the appropriate personnel.
Announces route number, destination, and major vehicle arrival pick up/discharge
points.
Maintains knowledge of vehicle safety features and the mechanical devices and
their proper use and operation.
May provide bus transportation services to residents who have been instructed
to evacuate areas of the County; and, provides transportation for first responders
in certain events which may include natural disasters, man made disasters, or
acts of terrorism.
Performs related duties as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience: Two (2) years experience as a motor vehicle operator with
a Maryland State Class "C" driver's license or its equivalent and
a current safe driving record as determined by the Department/Agency to which
the position is assigned.
Education: Ability to read and write and possess basic arithmetic, written
and verbal communication skills.
Equivalency: None.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Skill in operating a motor vehicle to transport passengers.
Skill in oral communication to exchange route information and related facts
with the traveling public; to respond to inquiries both in person and via radio;
and to make announcement of routing information via a public address system.
Ability to operate both full-size and smaller size transit vehicles (i.e., 30-40
feet in length), which requires, but is not limited to, the physical ability
to twist and turn upper body, reach, bend, move hands and arms to operate hand
controls, and move feet and legs to operate foot controls.
Ability to learn bus routes and schedules and the value and uses of various
fare media.
Ability to aid walk-on passengers boarding and departing from transit vehicle;
ability to operate vehicle doors, wheelchair lifts and securing devices, to
allow passengers in wheelchairs to enter and leave the bus.
Ability to inspect general operating condition of the vehicle as required in
the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act. This inspection would include: bending
to look under the vehicle, lifting the engine door, reaching and pulling to
close engine door, pushing to open entry door when air system is shut down.
Ability to complete hand-written reports when required.
Ability to separate and tear fare media from packet, and manipulate a hole-transfer
punch tool repetitively throughout a work shift.
Willingness to work fluctuating hours, split shifts, weekends, holidays, and
a reasonable amount of overtime. Duties include continuous driving for two to
three hours at a time without a break.
Visual acuity of 20/40 or better in each eye with or without corrective lenses.
Hearing ability sufficient to perform essential tasks safely with or without
a hearing aid.
Other:
Possess and maintain in good working order an accurate timepiece.
Applicants must be 21 years of age as of first day of employment with Montgomery
County Government.
LICENSE:
At Time of Employment Application: Possession of a valid current Class "C"
(or equivalent) motor vehicle operator's license from applicant's state of residence.
First Day of County Employment: Possession of either a Class "B" Commercial
Driver's License or an Instructional Permit for a Class "B" Commercial
Driver's License, with passenger endorsement and air brakes, issued by applicant's
state of residence.
Upon Completion of Bus Operator Training by Montgomery County: Possession of
a Class "B" Commercial Driver's License, with passenger endorsement
and air brakes, from employee's state of residence.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD:
The probationary period must be twelve (12) months for a full-time or part-time
employee appointed to a merit system position and six (6) months for a promoted
employee, during which time performance will be carefully evaluated. Continuation
in this class will be contingent upon successful completion of the probationary
period.
MEDICAL PROTOCOL: Core Exam and Drug/Alcohol Screen
Class Established: December 1972
Revised: February 1975
May 1979
August 1985
December 1990
August 1992 (M)
November, 1995
June 1999 (M)
November, 2005(M)
January 2007
June, 2008