Bus Operator (2027 Eligibility List)
Salary
$30.27 - $46.58 Hourly
Location
San Jose, CA 95134-1927, CA
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
2026-RO-1224B
Division
Transportation
Opening Date
07/08/2026
Closing Date
7/12/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Job Description
Hop on Board, VTA is hiring Bus 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 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 is ready to start a rewarding career in public service, we invite you to apply. Dont have a commercial license? No problem! - We provide the training!
The Bus Operator career at VTA begins as a Bus Operator Trainee. Upon successfully completing the paid 10-week training program, you will be promoted to the Bus Operator classification.
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.
Definition
Under general supervision, an Operator transports passengers in a motor coach on a fixed route.
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: https://www.vta.org/VTAForward
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.
Essential Job Functions
Typical Tasks
Minimum Qualifications
Employment Standards
Training and experience equivalent to a High School Diploma and possession of a valid California Class C drivers 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.
Supplemental Information
Knowledge of:
Ability to:
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.
Personalized responses to Supplemental Questions that connect your past experiences to this specific role are the most effective. AI-generated content may lack the specificity required to address the key criteria outlined in the job description. While we encourage the use of AI as a tool to enhance your work, we want to evaluate your non-AI-assisted communication skills. You may use AI to generate ideas, but please ensure your final responses are in your own voice and reflect your unique experience. Overreliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish your chances of success.
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 (855) 524-5627, 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.
Tentative Examination Schedule:
Written: July 31, 2026
Performance & Panel Interview: August 2026
Due to the high volume of applications expected for this recruitment, applications will be reviewed and screened in batches. The initial screening will focus on the first 100 completed applications received. Additional applications may be reviewed during subsequent screening phases, with separate testing dates to be announced via email.
Thank you for your interest in the Bus Operator position and for your patience throughout the recruitment process.
Conditions of Employment
Final candidates must successfully complete a Livescan background check, DOT physical/drug clearance, reference checks, verification of education and a criminal history review before appointment.
For sensitive positions, VTA requires all safety-sensitive positions to have a 6-month DOT physical clearance. Obtained at the time of preboarding from a VTA-contracted Concentra Location.
Eligibility List
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.
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.
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 (408) 321-5575 or email Personnel@vta.org 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.
VTA offers a generous benefit package including: a defined benefit pension plan, vision care, a choice of health plans, dental coverage, an employee assistance program, life insurance, transit passes, and liberal holiday, vacation, and sick leave. A credit union and deferred compensation plan are also available to employees at their option. Detailed information on VTAs benefits may be found here: https://app.strivebenefits.com/santa-clara-valley-transportation-authority
ATU employees hired on or after January 1, 2016 contribute one-half of the "normal cost" toward the required employee contribution to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority-Amalgamated Transit Union (SCVTA-ATU), Local 265 Pension Plan effective 01/01/16 (1/8/16 pay date).
Social Security taxes will be deducted from each employees bi-weekly salary.
As a condition of employment, each employee in this class must sign a payroll deduction authorization form providing for deduction of ATU union membership dues.
01
I acknowledge that I have accurately entered my Work Experience and Education on the employment application, and I am aware these are required fields. If they are not completed, the application is considered incomplete, and I will be disqualified as an applicant for the position. Candidates found to have exaggerated/falsified any aspect of the application, including but not limited to: their qualifications, experience, training, and/or education may be disqualified at any point in the recruitment process and may be denied future employment with the VTA.
I have read this information and am aware of the importance of accurately entering in all Work Experience and Education on the employment application.
02
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a California Commercial Driver's License (CDL) or Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) with passenger and air brake endorsements. Due to the 2025 DMV regulatory changes, applicants should review any restrictions to ensure eligibility. Do you have the ability to meet this requirement at the time of appointment?
03
Are you at least 18 years old?
04
Do you possess a valid California Class C License?
05
Do you have more than (3) three moving violations within the last (3) three years? Contact the DMV for information regarding what constitutes a moving violation.
06
Have you had more than one (1) cell phone violation within the last three (3) years? Contact the DMV for what counts as a cell phone violation.
07
Have you maintained a satisfactory attendance record at work and/or school? This information may be verified during the pre-employment process.
08
This position requires open availability. VTA operates 24/7, including weekends, holidays, evenings, nights, early mornings, etc. Are you willing to work any shift required?
09
Have you attached a recent DMV driving record to your application? Applications submitted without this document will be considered incomplete.
10
Have you provided a current or former supervisors name and contact information for the employer listed on your application? These references may be contacted during the pre-employment process with your authorization.
11
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has implemented updates to Limited Term Legal Presence Commercial Driver's License (CDL) requirements. Please review the information at the following link before responding: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/important-changes-to-limited-term-legal-presence-cdl-requirements/ Do you understand that you must meet all California DMV legal presence requirements to obtain and maintain a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) required for this position?
Required Question
Employer Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
Address 3331 North First Street, Bldg. B-1
San Jose, California, 95143
Phone 4083215504
Website http://www.vta.org