HomeMy WebLinkAboutMass Transit OperatorUpdated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Mass Transit Operator
Department: Transportation Services
Division: Transit
Supervisor: Operations Supervisor
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Civil Service: Yes
Pay Grade: 6
Job Number: 0610
Job Summary
Under direction, operates City buses to transport the general public safely to and from
destinations on assigned route. Collects fares and ridership statistics for municipal and
government reports.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive
or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Drives City buses on assigned route, picks up and discharges passengers.
• Provides customer service to passengers and answers questions, provides information,
assists elderly and handicapped with special boarding and seating requirements.
• Operates bus in a safe manner through varying traffic and weather conditions in
accordance with preset time schedules.
• Inspects vehicles for visible defects or hazards, reports driving hazards, malfunctions,
defects or accidents to appropriate parties.
• Ensures correct fare is deposited in fare box, issues and receives transfers, sells twenty-
four-hour passes.
• Obtains and records ridership statistical information for municipal and government
reports.
• Enforces rider code of conduct, calls supervisor when assistance is needed, resolves
conflicts among passengers.
• Keeps a clean interior bus for riders.
• Completes and prepares fare box forms, defect/malfunction reports and accident
reports.
• Responds to emergency substitution calls when required.
• Assists in on-route portion of training new drivers.
• Follows increased security measures, such as shutting off engine and removing key when
exiting bus, periodic visual bus sweeps and notifying Police when conditions warrant.
• May perform office duties including answering phone and providing information to
general public.
• Conducts self in a professional manner which demonstrates courtesy and respect for all
community members and coworkers.
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• High school education or G.E.D. and seven to twelve months of related experience or
training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Valid State of Iowa Class B commercial driver’s license instruction permit. Valid State of
Iowa Class B commercial driver’s license with passenger and air-brake endorsements
required upon completion of training period. Meet federal drug testing requirements. A
pre-employment drug screen. Must be 18 years of age. Must pass criminal background
check.
Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• High school diploma or G.E.D. and one year of related experience or training; or
equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in mass transit
operations or related.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in
written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to communicate tactfully with the general public and answer questions regarding
transit schedules and routes.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized
situations.
• Ability to deal with stress and keep bus on route and on time.
• Ability to drive safely in adverse weather.
• Ability to handle difficult customer situations.
• Ability to maintain flexible scheduling.
• Ability to multi-task and make decisions regarding rider conflicts, emergencies,
scheduling problems or changing the route due to detours, traffic and weather-related
conditions.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations and observe and count fares collected
for transportation service.
• Ability to read and understand traffic signs and various office correspondence including
run schedules and detour notices, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions,
and procedure manuals.
• Ability to record statistical information.
• Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Knowledge of Americans with Disabilities Act regulations and City and State traffic
regulations, signs and signals.
• Knowledge of City street locations and transit routes.
• Knowledge of general mechanical aspects of transit vehicles including air brakes.
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
• Skill in operating public transit vehicles safely.
Supervision
No supervision of direct reports.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
the essential duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The
employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands
and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or
crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision
abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception
and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving
mechanical parts, high or precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic
chemicals, risk of electrical shock, vibration, confined space, and traffic hazards. The employee
is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions, dampness, direct sunlight, dust, pollen,
insect stings, and animals. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Involves
some exposure to stress due to the work environment and/or crisis situations.
Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with
disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential
accommodations with the employer.
Reviewed/Approved by: Darian Nagle-Gamm, Transportation Services Director (4/2024)
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
I have read and understand the duties and requirements of this job description, and I
agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable
accommodation.
Employee Date
________________________________ __________________