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Drive for Metro

Great pay. Great team. Great benefits.

Metro is now accepting applications for part-time operators, with up to $3,000 hiring incentives available. If you have a passion for people, driving for Metro could be the perfect job for you!

As a new Transit Operator, Metro will help pay for your benefits— medical, dental and vision! Receive paid vacation and sick leave, with pay rates starting at $31.39 an hour, reaching $44.84 after 36 months of total service. No experience or Commercial Driver License (CDL) required to start and get paid while you earn your CDL ($23.32/hr training rate).

Apply now

Job description

Do you have drive? Get behind the wheel at King County Metro!

Serve your community, join an amazing team and earn great pay and benefits. Flexible work hours mean flexibility for your life. No previous experience necessary.

Check out our Employee Resources for the full list of great benefits and resources offered by King County.

Apply now

  • Be at least 21 years old at the time you apply
  • Hold a valid driver's license
  • Ability to get a Commercial Learners Permit with air brakes and passenger endorsements
  • Strong customer service skills
  • Ability to report to assigned work location on time and reliably
  • Willingness to learn new things, motivated, and able to follow instructions and procedures
  • Knowledge of English, sufficient to communicate, read and follow road signs, understand written instructions, standard procedures, notes and memos
  • Flexibility to work a variety of shifts, including weekend, early morning, evening, night and split shifts
  • Have an acceptable driving record

Any of the following driving violations within the last 5 years will automatically disqualify you from consideration:

  • Reckless or negligent driving
  • DWI/DUI (driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs)
  • If you received a ticket for causing a hit-and-run incident
  • Vehicular homicide or vehicular assault
  • Open container violation
  • More than 1 "at fault" accident within the past year
  • Any license suspension for a moving violation
  • Two or more license suspensions for non-moving violations

 

Transit operators must be able to meet federal physical qualifications for Commercial Driver 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
  • Independent work and breaks away from the base
  • Operating a transit vehicle in heavy traffic and (rarely) in emergency or hazardous situations or conditions.
  • Guaranteed minimum of 2 hours and 30 minutes per day and maximum of 7 hours and 29 minutes per day
  • Potential to pick up extra work per the Collective Bargaining Agreement process
  • Assignments change 2 times a year and are chosen by operators in order of seniority—Metro cannot guarantee choice of hours, routes or base location

Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 587 represents this job.

Metro has a responsibility to ensure a safe and reliable transit system for its its passengers and employees. This job has specific safety sensitive requirements:

  • Department of Transportation (DOT) physical
  • Drug screen (screening includes marijuana)
  • Criminal conviction record evaluation

All newly hired Transit Operators must complete Metro’s training program, which includes classroom and coach practice instruction.

Class schedules vary but are generally half-day on weekdays and full-day on weekends, with scheduled days off. Metro does not require new hires to already have a Commercial Driver License (CDL) or prior transit driving experience. Attendance is required at every class; no make-up classes are allowed.

While in training and after you graduate from the program, you are expected to arrive on time and ready to work at your assigned location.

Pay and benefits

  • Pay starts at $31.39 per hour upon completion of paid training, reaching $44.84 per hour after 36 months of total service
  • Get paid while you earn your CDL (training pay rate of $23.32/hr)
  • Medical, dental and vision benefits, with the option of adding family and domestic partner coverage
  • Paid vacation and sick leave
  • Retirement and deferred compensation plans
  • Membership in Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587
  • Flexible schedule with choices based on seniority

New hire bonus

We want to help get you in the door and behind the wheel. New operator trainees will receive a $3,000 hiring incentive, awarded as drivers meet certain milestones:

  • Operators will receive $1,000 after successfully completing training and graduating with their class.
  • Employees will receive a second payment of $2,000 after completing 6 months of solo driving and successfully completing probation.

Hiring process

Here are the steps to become a Metro Transit Operator.

  • Submit your application

    All information must be included in the application. A separate resume or cover letter will not be accepted.

    Apply now

  • Prepare for your interview and training

    In order to be placed into a training class you’ll need to hold a Washington State Commercial Learners Permit by passing 3 written knowledge tests at any Department of Licensing office:

    1. CDL general knowledge (A, B & C)
    2. Air brakes endorsement
    3. Passenger endorsement

    We recommend you start studying the Washington State Commercial Driver Guide as soon as you apply.

  • In-person interview

    Applicants who pass minimum qualifications will be invited to an in-person hiring event which includes an interview and on-site drug testing.

  • Conditional offer

    Based on the results of your interview, you may receive an on-the-spot conditional offer of employment to start in a training class. Applicants must complete all portions of the Pre-Employment Process (PEP) within 30 days of receiving the conditional offer, including obtaining a Commercial Learners Permit (CLP).

    You will receive a formal offer when you have passed the following steps:

    • Obtain a Commercial Learners Permit—requires passing the general knowledge written exam with air brakes and passenger endorsements at a Department of Licensing office
    • Department of Transportation (DOT) physical exam, paid for by Metro Transit
    • 5-year driving record review
    • Drug screening (includes marijuana)
    • Criminal background check

  • Paid Transit Operator training

    Once all pre-employment steps are completed you will start our paid Transit Operator training program at $23.32 per hour.

    Classes meet on weekdays and weekends and attendance is required everyday of your class. You will be offered a choice of a weekday morning or afternoon class to accommodate your schedule (both options include full-day weekend training days).

    The training program includes a mix of classroom time and driving with our experienced training staff. After passing the CDL test in class, you will pick your first Metro driving assignment and spend time practicing out of your assigned base.

  • Start your career with Metro

    After graduating from the training program, you will become a Transit Operator for King County Metro, holding a Class B CDL with air brakes and passenger endorsements. Congratulations, your career with Metro is underway!

FAQ

Metro Transit does not require part-time applicants to have a Commercial Driver License (CDL) to be hired for the bus operator position, but candidates must get a Commercial Driver Permit (CLP) with airbrake and passenger endorsements before starting the training process.

Metro will obtain your driving record for any out of state license within the past 5 years. You will be responsible for obtaining your current Washington driving record at the specified time.

Applicants will be required—before being hired—to provide a current, 5-year driving record abstract from Washington State Department of Licensing. Transit Operators must have a responsible and safe driving record. Abstracts will be reviewed for evidence of a safe and responsible driving record. The severity, recency, and number of violations will be reviewed.

Any of the following traffic code violations within the last 5 years will automatically disqualify you from further consideration:

  • Reckless or negligent driving
  • DWI/DUI (driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs)
  • If you received a ticket for causing a hit-and-run incident
  • Vehicular homicide or vehicular assault
  • Open container violation
  • More than 1 "at fault" accident within the past year
  • Any license suspension for a moving violation
  • Two or more license suspensions for non-moving violations

Those with conditional offers will undergo an evaluation of a 10 year criminal background records verification. Records are evaluated based on severity, recency, and possible threat to the public or Metro employees and property. A conviction will not necessarily bar you from employment consideration.

The Transit Operator position is categorized as "safety sensitive" and all applicants are required to pass a drug test prior to employment. The drug test includes screening for marijuana.

Active Transit Operators are also subject to random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty and follow-up drug and alcohol testing.

Operators are guaranteed a minimum of 2 hours and 30 minutes per day and cannot be scheduled to work more than 7 hours and 29 minutes per day.

Schedules are changed twice a year and are determined by operator request and subject to seniority. Shifts fall between the hours of 3:45 am and 9:30 pm. Scheduled routes have varying lengths. There are also many ways to drive additional hours, outside of those you are scheduled for.

While in training and after you graduate from the program, you are expected to arrive on time and ready to work at your assigned location.

No. Work experience that demonstrates good performance, strong customer service, reliability and good communication within the last 10 years will be considered. Persons that are self-employed and stay-at-home parents are highly encouraged to apply.

You will be required to list experience in your application that meets employment standards in regard to customer service and communication. This can include volunteer service and other activities.

Transit operators are represented by Local 587 of the Amalgamated Transit Union.

All new drivers are first hired as part-time operators. Full time positions (guaranteed 40 hours per week) are only available to qualified part-time operators as shifts become available.

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