Under general supervision by the Operations Supervisor, and through work direction given by Dispatch staff and Road Supervisors, the Bus Operator is responsible for safely operating passenger transporting motor vehicles to provide service for the City of Fargo’s Transit Department. The primary responsibility of the Bus Operator is to provide safe, reliable, accessible and efficient public transportation to the general public.
Scope of Responsibility:
The Bus Operator serves as a frontline ambassador of the City’s transit system. This role has a direct impact on service reliability and the daily mobility of the local community. The Bus Operator provides customers with courteous and attentive service including information, assistance with transfers, controlling the environment within the transit vehicle, and enforcement of transit procedures. This position involves the operation of equipment with significant financial value and requires a high level of personal accountability, attention to detail and adherence to safety standards.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
-
Operates transit vehicles safely and efficiently.
-
Drives assigned routes in accordance with schedules and supervisor instruction;
-
Operates multiple vehicle controls requiring practice and hand-eye coordination to efficiently accomplish the desired task;
-
Adjusts driving based on traffic, road, and weather conditions;
-
With limited supervision, uses sound judgment and refers to departmental training in handling unexpected situations while in service;
-
Manages incidents of public aggression with de-escalation skills and conflict resolution;
-
Clearly communicates and reports all incidents, accidents, safety concerns, and mechanical issues as required;
-
Prepares and submits accident and incident reports in a timely manner utilizing proper forms in accordance with established guidelines.
-
Develops an awareness of the space surrounding the vehicle and watches for persons or objects that may be injured or damaged by movements of the vehicle.
-
Ensures passenger safety and accessibility.
-
Adheres to ADA and Title VI regulations by assisting elderly passengers and individuals with disabilities through the use of ramps, lifts and securement devices;
-
Offers assistance and directions to riders with limited English proficiency;
-
Monitors passenger behavior and intervenes or reports when necessary to maintain safety for other passengers;
-
Professionally and calmly responds to passenger inquiries, complaints or conflicts;
-
In compliance with federal guidelines, determines and provides reasonable accommodations upon request from passengers.
-
Ensures safety and operability of transit vehicles.
-
Conducts pre-trip and post-trip inspections of vehicles. Inspections include checking brakes, lights, tires, fluid levels, and other critical systems;
-
Completes digital Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs) and reports any mechanical issues or safety concerns promptly; based on the nature and severity of the need, may recommend that the equipment be shut down and not used until the problem is corrected;
-
Develops familiarity with proper equipment functions, including normal sounds, and notices equipment performance deficiencies so that they can be corrected in a timely manner.
-
Collects proper fares and validates passes and identification cards, utilizing electronic fare registering and collection equipment. Exercises care in the handling of funds and other valuables.
-
Communicates effectively, professionally, and courteously with co-workers, supervisors and passengers.
-
Courteously provides basic information, such as schedule, route, and fare information to passengers or members of the general public seeking assistance;
-
Occasionally provides in-depth explanations of policies and procedures to members of the general public;
-
Utilizes in-vehicle technology to notify Dispatch staff of equipment failures, schedule delays, update destination signs, and hazardous or dangerous conditions along roads and passenger loading zones;
-
Promptly notifies Dispatch staff in cases of passenger unruly conduct and/or any threat to passenger or personal safety.
-
Maintains compliance with Transit Department policies and federal, state and local laws.
-
Follows all applicable traffic laws;
-
Follows all Transit Department and City of Fargo policies and procedures;
-
Ensures compliance with drug and alcohol testing policies and participates in random screenings;
-
Keeps current with training, licensing and recertification requirements.
-
Performs all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices.
-
Knows and follows department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss;
-
Wears proper protective equipment when policy requires, or conditions indicate a need exists and utilizes proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work;
-
When potentially unsafe conditions are observed, makes efforts to avoid or correct them if they are controllable and draws them to the attention of the responsible supervisor or safety representative in a timely manner;
-
Attends monthly mandatory safety meetings to keep up to date on relevant safety procedures.
-
Performs other duties and activities as assigned.
Addendum: Fixed Route
Scope of Responsibility:
The Fixed Route Bus Operator is responsible for the safe, efficient, and professional operation of transit vehicles along designated routes in the City’s public transportation system. Operators must remain attentive to time constraints while exercising safe driving practices and adjusting to real-time conditions such as traffic, detours, and weather in order to adhere to established schedules. A strong familiarity with assigned routes is essential in this position.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
-
Operates transit vehicles along designated fixed routes.
-
Drives buses on pre-established city routes in accordance with time schedules and route maps;
-
Maintains consistent headways and adheres to timepoints to meet on-time performance standards;
-
Monitors and adjusts driving patterns based on real-time traffic, construction, or weather conditions while minimizing service disruptions.
-
Demonstrates and maintains knowledge of assigned bus routes.
-
Demonstrates detailed familiarity with assigned routes, including designated bus stops, landmarks, transfer points and any relevant route detours;
-
Quickly adapts to route changes, detours, and short-term reassignments as communicated by Fixed Route Dispatchers or supervisory staff.
-
Ensures passenger safety and accessibility.
-
Uses electronic signage and onboard announcement systems to communicate route and stop information to passengers and manually announces information in the case of failures in the automated system;
-
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, announces major stops, transfer points and other announcements as requested;
-
Observes passenger behavior onboard vehicles and intervenes or communicates with Fixed Route Dispatchers when necessary to address fare disputes, disorderly conduct, or safety concerns.
-
Collects fares and ensures fare collection equipment is working properly.
-
Enforces fare collection policies and verifies passes, transfers and other fare media using farebox equipment;
-
Reports malfunctions in fare collection equipment to Fixed Route Dispatchers.
-
Supports transit system efficiency and reliability.
-
Follows route recovery procedures when ahead or behind schedule, utilizing predetermined layover locations;
-
Reports recurring issues or patterns in passenger load, stop accessibility or traffic that affect service performance;
-
Participates in route evaluations or service improvement feedback when requested.
Minimum Qualifications:
Same as outlined in the core description.
Physical Demands & Working Conditions:
Same as outlined in the core description.
Addendum: Paratransit
Scope of Responsibility:
The Paratransit Bus Operator is responsible for the safe, reliable, and compassionate transportation of individuals who are unable to use fixed-route public transit due to physical, cognitive, or sensory disabilities. This role requires direct interaction with passengers who often need specialized assistance, including door through first door assistance, mobility device securement, and personalized support during transit. Paratransit Bus Operators are entrusted with maintaining the safety, dignity, and comfort of each rider while adhering to dynamic schedules, routing changes, and strict regulatory standards such as those outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The operator must manage their vehicle independently in the field, operate lift/ramp equipment, ensure proper documentation of all trips and incidents, and communicate effectively with Paratransit Dispatchers, caregivers, and passengers. This position demands a high degree of patience, discretion, and problem-solving ability, as well as a strong commitment to serving vulnerable populations with professionalism and empathy.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:-
Provides safe, reliable door through first door transportation for pre-approved passengers.
-
Operates paratransit vehicles along flexible routes based on daily manifests or Paratransit Dispatcher instructions;
-
Utilizes GPS and routing software/devices accurately;
-
Transports elderly passengers and individuals with physical, cognitive, or sensory disabilities in accordance with ADA regulations;
-
Navigates residential, medical, and commercial areas safely while adjusting to varied pick-up/drop-off locations;
-
Adjusts routing in response to real-time changes, cancellations, or traffic delays, maintaining communication with Paratransit Dispatchers;
Recognizes signs of medical distress or disorientation and responds appropriately.
-
-
Assists passengers in boarding and exiting the vehicle.
-
Provides physical assistance to passengers entering or exiting the vehicle, including the use of arm support, ramps, or lifts;
-
Secures passengers using wheelchairs, scooters, or mobility aids using department-approved securement systems;
Ensures passengers are safely seated and secured before moving the vehicle and assists with seat belts when requested.
-
-
Maintains detailed logs and documentation.
-
Accurately completes daily trip manifests, time logs, mileage sheets, and ridership verification;
-
Documents all no-shows, cancellations, delays, incidents, or service disruptions per department procedures;
Collects fare payments or passes with sensitivity to passenger disabilities.
-
-
Communicates effectively and compassionately with passengers.
-
Provides calm, respectful assistance to individuals with physical, emotional or cognitive limitations;
-
Responds to passenger questions and concerns with patience and professionalism;
-
Maintains confidentiality regarding passenger health, personal information and trip details.
Minimum Qualifications:
Same as outlined in the core description.
Physical Demands & Working Conditions:
This job is performed on-board a transit motor vehicle, with a majority of time spent interacting with passengers and driving different daily schedules. Activities the incumbent must perform include sitting for long periods of time, finger vehicle controls and paperwork, audibly communicate through radios, utilize a full range of vision, push and pull passengers in wheelchairs as needed, stoop and crouch while securing wheelchairs and during vehicle inspections, walk passengers door to door as needed, and be subject to potentially extreme environmental conditions. Additional support may need to be given to passenger who have mobility restrictions including assisting passengers from mobility devices to vehicle seats, providing support while walking or providing support while assisting passengers in and out of the vehicle.
Heavy Work: This job is rated for Heavy Work, meaning that the incumbent may exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force regularly or constantly to move objects.
Physical Demands & Working Conditions:
This job is performed on-board a transit motor vehicle, with a majority of time spent interacting with passengers and driving along pre-assigned routes. Activities the incumbent must perform include sitting for long periods of time, finger vehicle controls and paperwork, audibly communicate through PA systems and radios, utilize a full range of vision, push and pull passengers in wheelchairs as needed, stoop and crouch while securing wheelchairs and during vehicle inspections, and be subject to potentially extreme environmental conditions.
Moderate Work: This job is rated for Moderate Work, meaning that the incumbent may exert up to 75 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently.
Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.
This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The City Administrator retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.
