About Our Job

Operates various types and sizes of commercial buses, transporting passengers over scheduled and unscheduled routes.  Provides excellent customer service to the public through the bus ride experience and by providing information on all bus routes.

Job Description:

• Safely operates bus and transports passengers.
• Collects and accounts for fares, gives transfers and provides information and directions to passengers.
• Controls access to vehicle and denies entry to persons presenting a danger to others or who will not provide an acceptable transfer or fare payment.
• Provides effective passenger relations while maintaining a safe and orderly vehicle.
• Reports accidents; maintains records.
• Inspects bus and ensures vehicle is in safe and proper mechanical condition.
• Operates radio to coordinate with other operators, report problems and delays.

Work Hours:  Our core times are 4 AM-1 PM and 2 PM-11 PM. Actual schedules will vary. Must be able to work flexible hours/days.  Hours of service can be any combination of 4:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday with some Sunday work.  Punctuality and flexibility are required. 

Drivers hired for these positions will have six (6) weeks paid training period during which time they are scheduled for 40 hours per week.   

About You

Minimum Qualifications:   A High School Diploma or its equivalent and possession of a valid Florida Driver's License.  All persons appointed to a position in this class must obtain a valid Florida Commercial Driver's License (CDL), Class "B" with passenger and air-brake endorsement within six (6) weeks of employment and must maintain such a license and endorsement in order to remain employed in this class.  

A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is not necessary to be considered for the Bus Driver role, although candidates must obtain/possess a valid Florida Driver's License to begin the CDL process. The new hire will receive paid training to obtain their CDL and the cost of the CDL will be covered by the County. You must obtain your Florida Commercial Driver's License (CDL), Class "B" with passenger and air-brake permit before your first day.

Preferred Qualifications:  Florida Commercial Driver's License (CDL), Class "B" with passenger and air-brake endorsement or a Florida Driver's License.  Mass Transit Experience

Physical Demands:  May regularly lift/move up 50 pounds.

Special Note:  This position works where children regularly congregate and in accordance with Florida Statues applicants must pass criminal sexual predator and sexual offender background check. Successful applicants will also be subject to local/state and FBI background checks (including fingerprinting).

This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening.  An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment in any class for a period of five years.

About Everything Else

Pay: All Sarasota County Bus Operators are represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union. It is your decision if you would like to be a dues-paying member. All Sarasota County Bus Operators begin in Step 1 at $13.50/hour.

Benefits:

• Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! 
• For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net for additional information.
• Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms and classes at multiple Sarasota County Government locations. 
• Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)​​

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco Free/Drug Free Workplace

Sarasota County Government promotes diversity and inclusion in its workforce and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identification or expression, genetic information, religion, national origin, marital status, age or disability. A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5741.