Bus/ Light Rail Operator (2026 Eligibility List)

BUS/ LIGHT RAIL OPERATOR

Hop on Board, VTA is hiring Bus AND Light Rail Operators!

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is in search of customer service focused drivers who have an interest in public service transportation. Joining the VTA team opens a wealth of opportunities. We promote work-life balance for all employees, offer career advancement opportunities, and have generous benefits and pension plans.

If you are a people-person who is friendly, punctual, prioritizes safety above all else, and are ready to start a rewarding career in public service, we invite your application. Don't have a commercial license? No problem! - We provide the training!

Please note: The first 350 qualifying applicants will be invited to testing for this position.

Bus Transportation

Bus transportation is responsible for the operation and delivery of VTAs' transit service to 74 bus routes, covering approximately 346 square miles in both urbanized and rural areas of Santa Clara County. The breakdown by type of route is: 18 core/primary; 17 local/secondary; 18 Community bus; 13 Express; four Limited Stop; and four Special Event. VTA provides a full-service bus system of 441 large buses: 214 of which are Hybrid (40-foot) buses; 75 of which are Articulated (60-foot) buses; 104 of which are a mix of Standard Diesel (35-foot & 40-foot) buses; 10 Electric buses; and, 38 smaller community buses operating from three bus divisions, Cerone and Chaboya based in San Jose and North based in Mountain View. Nine Hundred and Twenty-Four (924) Operators provide more than 14.9 million miles of bus service on an annual basis with an average weekday ridership of 94,740.

Cerone Chaboya North Yard

Rail Transportation

Rail Transportation is responsible for the operation and delivery of VTA's fixed-route light rail transit service to 42.2 miles with 61 unique stations, and currently serves the communities of Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, San Jose and Campbell. VTA's fleet of 98 light rail vehicles is based at the Guadalupe Division on Younger Street in San Jose, near where First Street and Interstate 880 cross. VTA operates three light rail lines: the "Blue" (Baypointe-Santa Teresa) line, the "Green" (Old Ironsides-Winchester) line, and the "Orange" (Mt. View-Alum Rock) line. VTA also operates the San Jose Historical Trolley during the month of December (weather permitting) on the San Jose Downtown Center Plaza with stops at the Civic Center Station through the San Jose Diridon Transit Center. One Hundred Thirty-Five (135) Light Rail Operators provide more than 1.8 million miles of light rail service on an annual basis with an average weekday ridership of 12,809.

Guadalupe

Definition

Under general supervision, an Operator transports passengers in a motor coach on a fixed route.

Under general supervision, a Light Rail Operator transports passengers in a light rail vehicle.

About VTA

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2,000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, VTA is Santa Clara County's authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus), congestion management, transportation-related funding, highway design and construction, real estate and transit-oriented development, and bicycle and pedestrian planning. With local, state, and federal partners, VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality of our region.

VTA provides bus, light rail, and paratransit services, as well as participates as a funding partner in regional rail service including Caltrain, Capitol Corridor, and the Altamont Corridor Express.

As the county's congestion management agency, VTA is responsible for countywide transportation planning, including congestion management, design and construction of specific highway, pedestrian, and bicycle improvement projects, as well as promotion of transit oriented development.

VTA provides these services throughout the county, including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale. VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County.

As we continue to implement our VTA Forward Plan, we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services.

For more information about our VTA Forward Plan, visit:

Family-Friendly Workplace Certification Program (FFWCP)

The County of Santa Clara FFWCP recognizes VTA as a business that creates supportive workplaces for employees and their families.

Family-friendly workplaces improve health outcomes and job satisfaction for employees and increase work productivity and retention for employers. Employers can create a family-friendly workplace by meeting and exceeding state and federal employment laws relating to parental leave, lactation accommodation, and work/family balance.

Bus Typical Tasks

• Operates a motor coach safely and in accordance with a designated schedule;
• Picks up and drops off passengers at designated bus stops;
• Collects fares and sells day passes;
• Aids passengers in boarding or departing the motor coach as needed;
• Operates the wheelchair lift when necessary and secures passengers' wheelchairs;
• Calls out stops and provides information to passengers;
• Maintains order on the motor coach;
• Operates a two-way radio;
• Prepares accident and incident reports;
• Keeps records;
• Performs related work as required.

Light Rail Typical Tasks

• Operates a light rail vehicle safely and in accordance with a designated schedule;
• Picks up and drops off passengers;
• Aids passengers in special circumstances including offering assistance in boarding or de-boarding disabled passengers;
• Operates the wheelchair lift when necessary and secures passengers' wheelchairs;
• Calls out stops and provides information to passengers;
• Operates a two-way radio;
• Prepares accident and incident reports;
• Keeps records;
• Couples and uncouples light rail vehicles;
• Moves and spots vehicles in the yard;
• Visually inspects light rail vehicles and reports their condition verbally and/or in writing;
• Routinely observes and reports any system or component malfunction or failure;
• Troubleshoots and operates malfunctioning light rail vehicles;
• Operates track switches;
• Provides hand signals or traffic flagging;
• Performs related work as required.

Bus Employment Standards

• Training and experience equivalent to a High School Diploma and possession of a valid California Class C driver's license at the time of appointment, and the ability to obtain and maintain a valid California Class B license.
• Driving record may not have more than three (3) moving violations within the last three (3) years.
• Must be eighteen (18) years of age at the time of application.
• Must have a good attendance record at school and/or previous job.
• Must be available to work weekends, holidays, and odd and unusual hours.

Light Rail Employment Standards

• Training and experience equivalent to a High School Diploma and possession of a valid California Class C driver's license at the time of appointment, and the ability to obtain and maintain a valid California Class B license and LRV operator certification.
• Driving record may not have more than three (3) moving violations within the last three (3) years.
• Must be eighteen (18) years of age at the time of application.
• Must have a good attendance record at school and/or previous job.
• Must be available to work weekends, holidays, and odd and unusual hours.

Knowledge of:

• Safe driving practices.

Bus Ability to:

• Learn to operate a motor coach in a safe manner;
• Learn to operate a two-way radio;
• Read maps;
• Follow a schedule;
• Follow oral and written instructions which are given in English;
• Prepare accident, incident, and other reports in English;
• Maintain simple records;
• Deal courteously and effectively with the public;
• Perform simple arithmetic.

Light Rail Ability to:

• Learn to operate a light rail vehicle in a safe manner;
• Learn to operate a two-way radio and public address system;
• Read and follow schedules;
• Follow oral and written instructions which are given in English;
• Prepare accident, incident, and other reports in English;
• Maintain simple records;
• Deal courteously and effectively with the public.

General Application Instructions

Please read this job announcement in its entirety before applying. We recommend printing or saving a copy for future reference.

To be considered, applications must be submitted online through the Human Resources department by the posted deadline. If the job posting is listed as "continuous," we encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as the posting may close without prior notice. Once your application is submitted, you will receive an immediate email confirmation.

Important: Only online applications will be accepted for this recruitment. We do not accept paper applications, resumes, Job Interest Notification Cards, or incomplete/unsubmitted applications in place of a fully completed application.

Communication & Contact Information

All updates regarding your application-including notices for testing and interviews-will be sent via email. Be sure to select email as your preferred method of communication and maintain a valid, up-to-date email address. Applicants are also responsible for keeping their phone numbers and mailing addresses current in their online profiles.

Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual updates. Please check your application status through your online account. For technical support, contact NEOGOV at ..., Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (PST), excluding holidays.

Application Review & Processing

All current and prior relevant work experience-including experience with VTA-must be fully detailed in the Work Experience section of your application. Entries such as "see resume" are not acceptable. Incomplete or improperly completed applications may be rejected, even if you meet the minimum qualifications.

While you are welcome to upload a resume, it does not substitute for completing the online application in full. Be sure that your application accurately reflects the education and experience necessary for the position.

Applications are reviewed throughout the recruitment process to determine whether candidates meet the minimum qualifications. Meeting these minimums or advancing through any stage does not guarantee further consideration. Any misrepresentation or falsification of qualifications, experience, education, or training may result in disqualification and/or exclusion from future employment opportunities with VTA.

This classification is represented by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU). Wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment are governed by the applicable collective bargaining agreement between VTA and the union.

Bus Tentative Examinations:

Written: Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Performance and Panel Interview: TBD

Light Rail Examinations:

Written: Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Panel Interview: Thursday, August 28, 2025

Conditions of Employment

Final candidates must successfully complete a Live scan background check, reference checks, verification of education or certifications, medical, drug and alcohol screening, and a criminal history review before appointment.

Bus Eligibility List

Candidates that receive a passing score on all parts of the examination process will be placed on an eligibility list for up to six months in accordance with VTA's Administrative Policies. Top candidates on the eligibility list may be invited to participate in an upcoming Bus Operator Training Cohort. Tentative start dates for Bus Operator Training are: January 7, 2026, March 25, 2026, July 8, 2026 and September 23, 2026.

Light Rail Eligibility List

Light rail classes are based on operational needs, the next class will begin October 15, 2025.

Please note that all classes are subject to change and cancellation. Being on the eligibility list does not guarantee you a position in any given class, as positions are filled on an as needed basis. Additionally, you may not choose which class you are assigned. Placements are determined based on availability and needs.

The established Eligible List from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancies and additional vacancies that may occur. Eligible Lists typically remain in effect for six (6) months. However, Human Resources may abolish Eligible Lists at any time during the six (6) month period. Human Resources may extend eligible Lists for up to two (2) years. Eligible Lists may be used for more than one recruitment.

Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations

VTA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the recruitment and examination process. To request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department at ... or email ... at least five business days before the test.

Equal Employment Opportunity

VTA is an equal employment opportunity employer. VTA does not and will not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age, ancestry, color, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, national, origin, immigration status, political affiliation, race, religion, creed, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, medical condition, disabled veteran or veteran status, etc.