Put yourself in the driver's seat.
Do you enjoy interacting with the public, work that’s always changing, and making a difference? Are you looking for meaningful work with full-time hours, pension and benefits? Consider becoming an operator with Halifax Transit.
Bus Operator Recruitment Information Sessions
Halifax Transit is committed to being the best Transit service and reflective of the diverse communities we serve. The skills, abilities and competencies measured through each recruitment phase are aligned with the requirements for the position of bus operator. Candidates must demonstrate competence and proficiency at each stage in order to advance.
The Halifax Regional Municipality strives to create a diverse and inclusive work environment. Its goal of a strong and diverse workforce that accurately represents the communities it serves will capitalize on the strength and talent of those communities. As such, we encourage applications from African Nova Scotians, racially visible persons, women (applying for non-traditional positions), persons with disabilities, Aboriginal persons and persons of the LGBTQ+ community. HRM encourages applicants to self-identify.
Bus Operators are responsible for the safe operation of their vehicles and must follow schedule guidelines, sometimes under difficult circumstances. Customer service is a large part of the Bus Operator’s daily duties, they must be able to communicate effectively with all passengers and respond to their needs. Bus Operators must constantly monitor their passengers and other drivers, and exercise a great deal of tact and diplomacy. Bus Operators deal with heavy traffic and congested streets, while monitoring fare collection and advising of the Fare Policy, issuing and receiving transfers, and checking passes. Bus Operators must be alert and manage their personal well-being as they can drive long hours with minimum breaks, operate during peak periods with split shifts and must cope with adverse weather, construction and traffic conditions. Bus Operators may be required to participate in emergency management operations as part of the municipality's emergency response.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
• Grade 11 or equivalent education and related experience
• Three (3) years of experience working in a service occupation dealing directly with customers
• Three (3) years of recent driving experience
• A valid Canadian driver’s license with a safe driving record (no more than 2 demerit points and no more than 1 at-fault accident)
• Completion of a defensive driving course is an asset
• Driving experience in a transit environment is an asset
Selection Process
STEP 1 – Submit Application
Quick Reference Guide for Applying for Jobs at HRM
Quick Reference Guide to Your HRM Candidate Zone.
Please note this is an open posting. If you have already applied to this competition you do not need to reapply as your application has already been considered.
This position involves several phases. Due to high volume, email will be the primary means of communication. Candidates are REQUIRED to have a valid email address. It is expected candidates will check their email daily throughout the hiring process.
If you choose to “Withdraw” your application, you will no longer be considered in the competition. You cannot “Withdraw” and create a new application as a means to change your documents - the system will not allow you to do this as it views it as a duplicate submission
STEP 2 – Testing
Candidates who meet the above-noted application requirements will be invited to a virtual information session. Invitations to the virtual session will be sent to the email address you provide in your application after the posting has closed.
Testing will be conducted in person, comprising of two tests. One test is an essential skills test to test your reading, writing and comprehension skills. Candidates must have a minimum of 5 Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) points/English proficiency to participate in this stage. The second test is a tablet-based assessment conducted by a certified evaluator. It takes approximately 20-30 minutes.
Candidates must provide a Driver’s Abstract through the Province of Nova Scotia, at the approximate cost of $19. Candidates are responsible for this cost.
STEP 3 – Panel Interview
Candidates who successfully complete testing will be invited to participate in a competency-based virtual interview. Competencies measured through this process may include Analytical Thinking; Communication; Customer Service; Decision Making; Teamwork and Cooperation; Values & Ethics and Valuing Diversity. To access our Employee Competency Dictionary please click here.
STEP 4 – Driver Assessment
The candidate will then go for a CORE (Commercial On-Road Evaluation). CORE is a behind-the-wheel assessment that looks at real-time performance. This is an in person assessment which takes approximately 45 minutes.
STEP 5 – Conditional Offer of Employment
When a candidate is notified of their start date, they are required to screen through: Child Abuse Registry check; Criminal Record check including the Vulnerable Sector; driver’s abstract that meets set out criteria; obtain an air brake endorsement; pass the written Nova Scotia Class 2 exam; obtain Standard Emergency First Aid with AED; pass a class pre-hire medical exam and functional abilities testing. Halifax Transit will reimburse the candidate for all costs associated with their conditional offer. Please do not obtain these documents until requested by the Recruiter as some documents have expiration dates.
SALARY: Training rate, completion of training and within the first year of service is $26.57 per hour. Salary and working hours as per ATU Collective Agreement.
WORK LOCATION: 200 Ilsley Avenue, Dartmouth or 80 Grassy Lake Drive, Halifax
If you have application questions that cannot be answered by our FAQ's, please email transitjobs@halifax.ca