Expanding Grand Rapids transit generates 20 new jobs, prompts job fair

By: Deborah Johnson Wood

Twenty new bus operator jobs are on deck at The Rapid thanks to the 0.17 millage increase passed by voters last May, bringing the 2008 total millage dollars to some $13 million. And that means the enhanced bus route services—including increased bus frequency on some routes, extended evening hours, more weekend buses—are going into effect in August, and those buses need drivers.

“We’re looking for people with exceptional customer service skills, and we encourage women and minorities to apply,” says Sandy Martin, recruiter.

While second language skills are helpful because of Grand Rapids’ cultural diversity, bus operators must be able to speak, read, and understand English well enough to communicate with dispatchers and riders.

The jobs include four Para transit community operators to drive smaller buses and assist the elderly and physically challenged, 10 part-time bus operators to work schedules that change every three months, and six full-time bus operators to work schedules that change daily.

Pay starts at $10.99 per hour for the Para transit drivers, $15.71 per hour for the regular route drives. All new bus operators receive training and will be ready to work on their own when the enhanced services begin in August.

“All bus operator applicants will apply for all bus operator jobs,” says Martin. “After we review their qualifications we’ll select which candidates we’ll put into which positions.”

The Job Fair includes openings for a vehicle technician with diesel experience, and a body repair technician with diesel experience. Those jobs start at $18.03 per hour, with an eventual $0.45 shift differential.

Martin encourages all applicants to bring their driver’s license and a list of former employer’s names, addresses, and phone numbers.

Source: Sandy Martin, The Rapid; Jennifer Kalczuk, The Rapid

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