The recruitment process for the Bus Operator position consists of nine (9) stages and can take several months to complete. Applicants must successfully complete each stage before being considered for the next stage. Conditional offers of employment are only made to applicants who have successfully arrived at stage 9.
The 10 stages are:
- Application and screening
- Competency Assessment
- Written Assessment
- Interview
- Cognitive and Driving Assessments
- Reference Check
- Medical Exam and Police Records Check
- Document Verification
- Language Assessment (if required)
- Training date confirmation
The City of Ottawa’s primary means of communication through this process will be e-mail. Applicants should check their e-mail accounts frequently (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 by Human Resources for the Bus Operator position. Your application must clearly demonstrate that you meet all 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 license (or provincial equivalent).
- Due to licensing restrictions, OC Transpo is unable to license drivers from Quebec. Applicants from Quebec must hold a full “F2” license if they reside in Quebec and must be legally able to drive in Ontario.
- 3-year uncertified Driver’s Abstract which is no more than six (6) months old 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 of 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 oral, reading
- English oral, 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 – Competency Assessment
Applicants who meet the minimum requirements will be invited to complete an online competency assessment questionnaire to determine suitability for the position of Bus Operator.
Note: The results of this assessment can continue to be used up to 12 months following completion.
Stage 3 – Written Assessment
The Customer Service Assessment is a 20 question, multiple choice test specifically designed for use in the selection of Bus Operators.
The written assessment requires applicants to read a text similar to a day in the life of an OC Transpo bus operator describing an incident or collision and complete a Collision Report.
Applicants MUST bring the following items to their assessment:
Applicants who were successful in the Competency/Written Assessment and who have provided the above listed documentation may proceed to the next stages.
Stage 4 – Interview
- The interview may be conducted virtually using Microsoft Teams. It will be conducted by a group or two or three interviewers in a question and answer format. Questions will be a combination of behavioural, situational and knowledge based.
Stage 5 – Cognitive and Driving assessments
Applicants will first complete a cognitive assessment test using a computer. The testing will be completed at OC Transpo.
Applicants will then take a driving assessment, which is an in house/on-road evaluation of a driver’s ability to operate safely. This driving assessment is conducted by an MTO certified instructor who will carefully assess every aspect of your driving abilities.
*Note: These results can be used up to 6 months following completion.
Stage 6 – Reference Checks
- Reference checks will be completed for those applicants who are successful in the Cognitive/Driving Assessments. The references that were provided at the Interview stage will now be contacted. If references cannot be contacted within a 5-day period, applicants cannot proceed to the next stage.
Stage 7 – Medical and Police Record Check
Applicants must pass the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario medical exam required to obtain a class "C” license. Applicants can contact the Ministry of Transportation for more detailed information at 1-800-268-1481.
Applicants must also present a valid Police Record Check with the Police Services in their jurisdiction with clearance to work with the vulnerable sector. Police record checks completed by a third-party company will not be accepted.
Any costs associated with the medical exam and Police Record Check are the responsibility of the candidate.
Stage 8 – Documentation Verification
All documentation provided by successful applicants up to this point will be reviewed by OC Transpo Recruitment in consultation with Human Resources. Verification of documentation may include:
- Police Record Checks (Vulnerable Sector level 3)
- Ministry of Transportation of Ontario Medical Exam
- Proof of Education/Foreign Credential Assessment
Applicant documentation must meet minimum requirements to the satisfaction of the City of Ottawa.
Stage 9 – Language Assessment
Applicants 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 10 – Training date confirmation / Start of employment
Applicants who have been successful in the first eight stages of the recruitment process will be contacted to confirm a start date for the next scheduled training session.
At this point, you will become a New Bus Operator Trainee, and will be scheduled to participate in a 36-day full-time training program specific to the Bus Operator position.
Note: An offer of permanent employment as a Bus Operator is conditional upon successful completion of the mandatory training program. Applicants who are unsuccessful in the training and/or are unable to pass the Ministry of Transportation testing requirements to obtain a class "C” license with a "Z” endorsement (air brake), will have the conditional offer of employment withdrawn.
To ensure the integrity of the recruitment process, individual test scores and results cannot be disclosed.