Bus Operator recruitment

Bus Operator Inventory

The application stage of the 2019/2020 Bus Operator recruitment inventory is now open. We thank all applicants for their interest, but advise that only those qualified to continue with the selection process will be contacted. This Inventory will meet the ongoing operational Bus Operator requirements.

Please see below for additional information on the recruitment process.

Summary of Duties

The Bus Operator is responsible for providing customer friendly, safe, reliable and timely transportation service in co-ordination with scheduled bus times (weather and traffic permitting).

General Information about the Bus Operator Position

• There are over 1700 unionized Bus Operators positions within Transit Services.
• When you become a Bus Operator you join the union ATU 279 (Amalgamated Transit Union).
• All Bus Operator positions are full-time permanent positions.
• Full-time Wage rate after 24 months of continuous employment is $31.563/hour (2019 rates of pay)
• Training rate is 50% of full-time Bus Operator wage rate ($15.782 /hr).
• Rates of pay after successful completion of training is:
  • 1st - 8 months – 85% of Bus Operator Rate ($26.829 /hr)
  • 9th - 15 months – 90% of Bus Operator Rate ($28.407 /hr)
  • 16th - 23 months – 95% of Bus Operator Rate ($29.985 /hr)
  • After 24 months Full Bus Operator Rate ($31.563/hr)
• Pension and Health Benefits start the first day of training.

The Challenges of being a Bus Operator

A Bus Operator’s job is physically demanding and includes tasks which are repetitive and constant, such as operating bus controls, talking to and assisting passengers while safely operating the bus, and keeping stairways clear of ice and snow build-up.

Weather conditions, construction, traffic, difficult passengers and following a set schedule are just some of the challenges that the Bus Operator will face on a daily basis

Implications for Personal / Family Life

All positions are seniority based and all booking of work is given out by seniority starting with the most senior operator down to the most junior operator. This has the following implications for new operators:

• There is a General Booking at which time your shifts can change every 3 months, including the runs that you can book, out of which garage you will work out of (St. Laurent, Merivale, Pinecrest), and what days and hours you will be working.
• Most senior staff book holidays first – so expect no summer vacation for up to 10 years. Other peak vacation periods include March Break, late September and all of October.
• Typical holidays for junior staff will be November/early December or January /February. You may be forced on vacation.
• Expect to work weekends for many years. It has not been uncommon for new operators to work weekends for 5 to 10 years.
• Expect to work split shifts i.e. 6:00 AM – 9:30 AM and 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Monday to Friday for the next 3 – 5 years.
• Junior Operators will work 12 out of 14 days for the next 3 –5 years.

Applicants must possess the following minimum qualifications on the date of application:

• legally entitled to work in Canada.
• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (Grade 12) or recognized equivalency.

(If you acquired your educational credentials outside Canada you will need to obtain an assessment and recognition of your qualifications as a Canadian equivalency in order for you to proceed in the selection process. A translated document or an affidavit is not sufficient. If you require information regarding your educational qualifications, please contact the Credential Evaluation, Assessment and Qualification Recognition Services).

• A valid Ontario unrestricted "G" class driver's licence (or provincial equivalent). Legally able to drive in Quebec
• Driver’s Abstract with no demerit points and to the satisfaction of the City. (Recent convictions, discharges and other actions appearing on the driver’s abstract may also be considered)
• Minimum five (5) years’ driving experience with a clean driving record free of demerit points
• Minimum three (3) years of relevant customer service experience including direct contact with the public and dealing with a diverse population
• A valid police ‘Vulnerable Sector Check’ to the satisfaction of the City (clearance to work with the vulnerable sector). Note that link is to Ottawa Police Service, applicants living outside of the City of Ottawa will need to contact their local Police agency.
• Language proficiency English oral, reading, writing is required for all positions.
• Some positions may be designated ‘Day 1 Ready’ with an immediate requirement for language proficiency in both English and French as follows:
  • French oral
  • English oral, reading, writing

(For all positions language proficiency for English and/or French may be assessed. Applicants must meet language requirements for the position to be considered for hire).

Please be aware The City of Ottawa’s primary means of communication will be through email. Invitations for assessments will be forwarded via the email account used when applying for the position. Applicants must frequently check their email accounts (including your junk mail).

The recruitment process for the Bus Operator position consists of eight (8) stages and can take several months to complete. Applicants must be successful at each stage before being considered for the next stage. Applicants must meet the minimum criteria at each stage and the most qualified applicants will be considered for the next stage. Conditional offers of employment are only made to applicants who have been successful at each of the first seven (7) stages and are conditional on the applicant successfully completing Stage 8.

Please be aware the City of Ottawa’s primary means of communication will be through e-mail. Applicants must therefore frequently check their e-mail accounts (including their junk mail).

We thank all applicants for their interest but advise that only those qualified to continue with the selection process will be contacted.

Stage 1 – Application and screening

Applicants are screened based on the stated minimum qualifications of the Bus Operator position. Your application must clearly demonstrate that you meet all of the minimum qualifications to be considered for further assessment.

Applicants must possess the following minimum qualifications on the date of application:

• Legally entitled to work in Canada.
• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (Grade 12) or recognized equivalency. (If you acquired your educational credentials outside Canada you will need to obtain an assessment and recognition of your qualifications as a Canadian equivalency in order for you to proceed in the selection process. A translated document is not sufficient. If you require information regarding your educational qualifications, please contact the Credential Evaluation, Assessment and Qualification Recognition Services.)
• A valid Ontario unrestricted "G" class driver's licence (or provincial equivalent). Legally able to drive in Quebec.
• Applicants must complete and test successfully for the “Z “driver’s license endorsement (air brake) at the beginning of the New Bus Operator Training program
• 3-year uncertified Driver’s Abstract which is no more than six (6) months old (from date of Stage two (2) test) with no demerit points and to the satisfaction of the City. (Recent convictions, discharges and other actions appearing on the driver’s abstract may also be considered).
• Minimum of three (3) years customer service experience including direct contact with the public and dealing with a diverse population.
• Minimum of five (5) years of motor vehicle operator experience in high-density traffic.
• Language proficiency English oral, reading, writing is required for all positions.Some positions may be designated Day 1 Ready with an immediate requirement for language proficiency in both English and French as follows:

• French ral, reading
• English ral, reading, writing

(For all positions language proficiency for English and/or French may be assessed. Candidates must meet language requirements for the position to be considered for hire.)

Stage 2 – Testing - Customer Service and Written Assessments

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to a customer service test and information session. Applicants will be invited through an email message.

Applicants are required to bring documented proof of the following items to the Customer Service Assessment testing session. Applicants who are unable to provide proof of the following items will not be permitted to write the test and will be disqualified.

• Proof of education
• Foreign Credential Assessment as applicable
• Driver's abstract (Free of demerit points)
• Valid Driver’s License

Following confirmation of the items listed above, applicants will be participating in the Customer Service and Written Assessments. The applicants will be given fifteen (15) minutes to complete the written assessment. The Written Assessment will consist of the applicant reading a text concerning an accident and preparing a Collision Report. The Customer Service Assessment is a video-based test specifically designed for use in the selection of Bus Operators. There are approximately 50 multiple-choice questions and the test takes eighty-five (85) minutes to complete. Applicants must successfully achieve a minimum passing grade of 70 per cent, and the most qualified applicants will proceed to the next stage.

The results of the Testing – Customer Service and Written Assessments will be sent to the candidates by email.

Stage 3 – Job Observation

Applicants will be required to participate in job observation as part of this process. This will be done between being advised of outcome of the Interview stage. Job observation will involve taking an OC Transpo bus ride and observing the Bus Operator in his/her role. In the Interview stage some questions will be based on the job observation exercise and as such applicants are encouraged to observe carefully. Applicants will bring their OC Transpo bus transfer (proof of payment) to the interview as proof that the job observation was done.

Applicants will not be able to continue to participate in the selection process if proof of job observation participation (OC Transpo bus transfer) is not presented at the interview. Any costs associated with the job observation will be the responsibility of the candidate.

Stage 4 – Interview

• Applicants successful in Stage 2 – Testing - Customer Service and Written Assessments will be invited for an interview by e-mail.
• Applicants must present proof of Job Observation participation (OC Transpo bus transfer) at the time of the interview in order for the interview to occur.
• The interview board is comprised of two or three members and is conducted in a question and answer format. Questions are a combination of behavioural, situational and knowledge based. Applicants will also be required to be familiar with City of Ottawa landmarks and locations.
• Applicants must receive a pass mark of 70 per cent at the interview to be qualified to move on to Stage 5 – Driving Assessment.
• At the time of the interview applicants will be asked to provide three work-related references and sign a consent form authorizing the City to contact these references. Personal references will not be accepted.

Stage 5 – Driving assessment

Applicants successful in Stage 4 - Interview will be invited to participate in a driving assessment. The driving assessment is an in house/on-road assessment of a driver’s ability to operate safely. Applicants must achieve a threshold acceptable to the City of Ottawa in order to move on in the application process.

Stage 6 – Reference Checks

• Reference checks will be completed to the satisfaction of the City after Stage 5 – Driving Assessment.
• A period of 5 days weeks will be given to contact references. If references cannot be contacted within the 5-day period, applicants will not proceed to the next stage.

Stage 7 – CZ License pre-requisite/ Medical

Applicants successful in Stage 6 - Reference Checks, must pass the Ministry of Transportation medical exam required to obtain a class "C” licence with a "Z” endorsement (air brake). Any costs associated with the medical exam will be the responsibility of the candidate. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Ministry of Transportation for more detailed information at 1-800-268-1481.

Stage 8 – Language Assessment

Applicants successful in Stage-7 – CZ License pre-requisite/medical may be required to have their language proficiency in English or French assessed.

• Language proficiency English oral, reading, writing is required for all positions.Some positions may be designated Day 1 Ready with an immediate requirement for language proficiency in both English and French as follows:

• French oral
• English oral, reading, writing

Applicants must meet language requirements for the position to be considered for hire.

Stage 9 – Training date confirmation / Start of employment

Applicants that have been successful in the first eight stages of the recruitment process and who have met the Ministry of Transportation medical requirements for a class "C” licence will then be contacted to confirm a start date for the next scheduled training session.

Prior to the commencement of training applicants must present a valid Police Record Check with clearance to work with the vulnerable sector, to the satisfaction of the City of Ottawa.

Successful applicants will be scheduled to participate in a 36-day full-time training program specific to the Bus Operator position.

Note: An offer of employment is conditional upon passing the mandatory training program. Applicants who do not pass the training and/or are unable to pass the Ministry of Transportation testing requirements to obtain a class "C” licence with a "Z” endorsement (air brake), will have the conditional offer of employment withdrawn.

The successful completion of any phase of the selection process does not guarantee proceeding to the next phase.

To ensure the integrity of the recruitment process, only a Successful/Unsuccessful result from all testing will be disclosed. Detailed information about test results or the scores will not be provided.