Job Title: Bus Operator
Department: Operations
Job Category: ATU
Employee Type: Part-Time / Full-Time - Hourly
Training Pay: $18.54/hour
Starting Pay (Upon Successful Completion of Training): $23.35/hour
Top Pay: $27.47/hour
Location: 1617 Wilcox Blvd. Chattanooga, TN 37406
Revision Date: August 10, 2026
Summary of Job:
Under general supervision of the Transportation Manager, the bus operator performs work which involves operating a bus on a predetermined route according to time schedules, charts, and special services in and around the city of Chattanooga for the purpose of transporting passengers.
Essential Job Functions:
- Operates assigned bus in a safe and efficient manner.
- Follows all safety and traffic rules, strictly adhering to time schedules.
- Memorizes assigned routes, transfer points and fare structures.
- Resolves passenger concerns, issues and questions relative to services.
- Remains diligent and reports dangerous conditions or unusual activity along bus route, including road conditions, obstructions, unusual traffic and potential criminal activity.
- Provides general and routine information to passengers in a courteous and helpful manner.
- Provides assistance to customers who have disabilities as required.
- Monitors fare and ticket collection, verifies appropriate passes are used.
- Performs pre-trip and post-trip inspections of assigned bus.
- Completes routine forms to report mechanical difficulties of bus assigned.
- Performs other duties of a similar nature as required.
- Communicate with co-workers, management, and others in a courteous and professional manner.
- Promptly reports accidents and incidents that occur in, on, or around company vehicles to Dispatch and if it affects service operations.
- Inspects bus for lost articles and turns over to appropriate department.
Supervisory & Operational Authority:
- This position has 0 direct report(s).
Compliance:
- Recognize and follow ADA rules and regulations related to passenger transit services.
- Responsible for completing all mandatory training classes.
- Responsible for reviewing and complying with all CARTA policies, procedures and directives.
Required/Preferred Experience:
- Must be 21 years old or older
- CDL class A or B license with Passenger endorsement.
- Clean driving record: Cannot have 3 or more traffic violations in the last 5 years or may have 3 years without any traffic violations.
- Valid Department of Transportation medical examination card.
· High School Diploma or GED required.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Must be able to lift at least 25lbs and push objects such as doors, windows, emergency hatches, wheelchairs and wheelchair lifts.
- Must be able to repetitively bend, kneel, squat, and twist safely.
- Must be able to sit for extended periods of time.
- Must be willing to work nights, holidays, weekends, split shifts, split days off and any hours assigned.
- Must have been a licensed driver for a minimum of two (2) years.
- Must be able to read a map.
- Must be able to use good judgment and carry out instructions given by Supervisors or dispatch personnel via radio.
- Must be able to keep accurate records and communicate clearly and concisely via a radio handset.
- Ability to demonstrate basic proficiency in reading, writing, and comprehension.
- Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to see and judge a variety of object distances and traffic patterns.
- Ability to quickly respond to objects and traffic patterns.
Physical Demands:
- Sit for prolonged periods.
- Perform repetitive motion.
Safety Requirements & Notifications:
The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) is a public transit service provider governed by requirements of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Department of Transportation (DOT).
Due to the nature of some work performed at CARTA some jobs are classified as ‘Safety Sensitive’ and are subject to random testing for drug and alcohol use. All offers for employment are required to undergo pre-employment and possible random drug testing. If test shows a positive result your application for employment will be rejected, or if hired, employment may be terminated.
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
Benefits for Full-Time Employees:
· Pension Plan
· Paid Vacation
· Paid Sick Leave
· Paid Personal Days
· Medical Insurance
· Dental Insurance
· Vision Insurance
· Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
· Health Savings Account (HSA)
· Employer-Paid Basic Life Insurance
· Supplemental Life Insurance
· Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Application Process:
To apply for this vacancy, you must complete the application in full. Applications are considered for 90 days. The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer -- M/F/D/V.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to disclose true and accurate information on their account profile and/or resume. Falsification of this information may lead to your disqualification from vacancy consideration and/or termination of employment.
The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer (protected veterans, disability) and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Employees who require a reasonable accommodation as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must notify CARTA in advance to allow sufficient time for CARTA to provide the accommodation.
Pay: $18.54 - $27.47 per hour
Work Location: In person
