Salary: $19.45 - $20.42 HourlyLocation : Torrance, CAJob Type: Recurrent Regular Part-time (30-39 hrs/wk)Job Number: ARBO-2024Department: TransitOpening Date: 07/16/2024Closing Date: ContinuousDESCRIPTIONWE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE APPLICANTS TO READ THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENTIN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR THIS POSITION.The City of Torrance is recruiting for Apprentice Relief us Operators/Trainees to be part of the Torrance Transit Team! This is a training program for individuals with NO prior commercial passenger transportation driving experience, and who do NOT possess a commercial license. Torrance Transit is an award-winning, municipally operated public transportation agency in the region of Los Angeles County. The agency operates a fleet of 63, alternative-fueled, 40-foot buses and a network of eleven (11) fixed-route bus lines. Torrance Transit is growing, and will launch a new bus line, expand an existing bus line to serve SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, and plans to open the Torrance Transit Park and Ride Regional Transit Center in 2023. The mission of Torrance Transit is to provide safe, reliable, inexpensive, and courteous transportation to our customers - the people who live, work, and do business in the City of Torrance and the region. Do you have outstanding customer service skills? Do you have a track record of safe driving? Do you want to receive PAID training? Do you want to work for a transit agency where you're known by name and your contributions are valued? If you answered yes to all of the above, then the City of Torrance Apprentice Relief Bus Operator position is for you!Start your career with Torrance Transit NOW!•We have an exceptional six-month training program that includes classroom and behind-the-wheel training.•City contributes towards health insurance for you.•After you have worked for the City for 90 days, you begin accumulating paid sick leave hours.•You can promote to Relief Bus Operator after six months of successful performance with pay starting at $23.97/hour. •You have the opportunity to promote from Relief Bus Operator to a full-time Bus Operator in approximately 1 year and make $27.24/hour.CAN YOU SAY CAREER GROWTH?You can start as an Apprentice Relief Bus Operator at $19.45/hour and in just 2 years, you can be a full-time Bus Operator making $27.24/hour. Full-time Bus Operators make $33.11/hour in just 4 years! Extra pay for working night shifts. Overtime available! On-going training and driving an ALL green fleet. QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES Do You Have?Five (5) years of driving experience in California with a safe driving record.A Drivers License to show that you are at least 21 years old.A Driving Record (K4) from the DMV dated in the last thirty days.Availability to work various shifts on weekdays, weekends, evenings, and holidays. Customer Service expertise and top-notch people skills.Steady and stable work history demonstrating a strong work ethic, dependability, and reliability.**NO prior commercial passenger transportation driving experience (You read that right! No experience necessary).A Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) from the DMV (Note: this is NOT required, but is preferred). To find out how to get your Commercial Learner's Permit, visit:This all sounds GREAT so where do I apply? (Did we read your mind?) HOW TO APPLY & EXAM PROCESS Interested candidates must submit an online application, supplemental questionnaire, and DMV driving record (K4) at A print-out of your DMV driving record, dated within the last 30 days, must be submitted with your application. California DMV K4 driving records can be obtained by visiting: .Driving records will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis within the guidelines listed below:
- NO more than one (1) moving violation.
- NO arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs that result in a criminal conviction.
- NO administrative suspension or revocation of driver's license for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- NO traffic accidents reported on the DMV K-4 printout. If a traffic accident reported on your DMV K-4 printout was not your fault, you must attach acceptable proof to your application to be given further consideration.Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis, but will be reviewed every Monday. Only those applicants whose experience best meet the needs of the City and Department will be invited to the examination process. The examination will consist of an oral interview. We will be interviewing WEEKLY for this position!
For Questions about testing or the position, email PLEASE NOTE:This is a training program for individuals who have NO previous experience in operating commercial passenger vehicles. If you possess a Class A or B license AND have experience operating a commercial passenger vehicle, please apply for the position of Relief Bus Operator by SPECIAL NOTES Applicants may test for this position only once every 6 months. Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources prior to the exam date.Positions under this classification perform Safety Sensitive functions as defined by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and are subject to Federal drug and alcohol testing. Pursuant to the US DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulations - 49 CFR Part 40, Federal Regulations do not authorize the use of Schedule 1 drugs, including marijuana and CBD products, for any reason. As a condition of employment, applicants will be required to pass a pre-employment medical examination, a DOT drug and alcohol test, and a background investigation. The background check will include the requirement for a signed release of information to obtain DOT regulated drug and alcohol testing records from previous employers to be provided to the City of Torrance in accordance with DOT Regulation 49 CFR Part 40, Section 40.25.In accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between TME-AFSCME Local 1117 and the City of Torrance, new employees are covered under that memorandum and required to become members in good standing or pay the required service fee to said Local 1117.Upon completing the apprenticeship program, you will have knowledge and skills to become a Relief Bus Operator (Part-time up to 35 hours/week) $23.97 - $25.17 per hour plus pension benefits.There are also promotional opportunities, such as Full-time Bus Operator $27.24 - $33.11 per hour plus full benefits.The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.City of Torrance Inclusion StatementThe City of Torrance is a welcoming and culturally-rich community. As a pillar of public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a talented workforce where people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, religions, and lifestyles are valued. Our mission is to create an inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and contribute towards making a positive impact. The City is an equal opportunity employer and works towards building collaborative teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. Come join us to help cultivate a workplace that welcomes and celebrates the diversity of our employees! BENEFIT SUMMARY FOR TORRANCE MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (TME-AFSCME)Note: Not all benefits listed may be applicable to all positions with in the unit. Please refer to the MOU for specifics.Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance (sec. 4.9)The City's monthly contribution for health insurance is as follows: Employee Only Emp. +1 Emp. +2 or moreFull Time 597.68 1,140.36 1,595.96Part-Time(hired prior to 1/1/08) 483.29 912.98 1,248.16Part-Time(hired after 1/1/08) 356.34 619.68 829.48The City's monthly contribution for vision insurance is $3.33The City's monthly contribution for dental insurance is $33.71/EE only and $67.42/EE +1 or moreCity provides a $50,000 life insurance policyLongevity (based on years of service) (Sec. 2.5)Crafts and Trades employees** shall receive longevity pay in the following manner:7 YOS: 2.5% above base pay.11 YOS: 5% above base pay15 YOS: 7.5% above base pay19 YOS: 10% above base pay*YOS= Years Of Service**Except Public Safety Dispatcher and Animal Control OfficerPermanent Part-Time Employees (Sec. 2.8)Permanent part time employees working 20 hours or more per week are entitled to all benefits. Accrual of time and money shall be ½ the amount received by full-time employees.Premiums (sec. 3.1)Varies by position and assignment. Varies (see Sec 3.1)Night (sec. 3.5)Swing Shift: 5% over base pay when ½ or more of the shift is worked after 4:00 p.m.Graveyard Shift: 7 ½% over base when ½ or more of the shift is worked after midnightWeekend Shift (sec. 3.6)Weekend Shift: 5% over base pay for hours worked on Saturday and Sunday onlyApplicable only to employees within the Community Services Department, Park Services DivisionHolidays (sec. 4.1)13 paid holidays (New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Lincoln's Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, The Friday after Thanksgiving, Last working day before Christmas, Christmas Day & last working day before New Year's). Vacation Leave (sec. 4.2)Accrual rate per month:Years 1 -2 : 9.33 hours; Year 3: 10 hours; Year 4: 10.67 hours; Years 5 - 9: 12.67.hours; Years 10 - 20: 16.02 hours; Years 21 - 24: 17.33 hours; Year 25+: 18 hours Maximum Accrual up to the amount earned over the preceding thirty-six (36) monthsSick Leave (sec. 4.3)Accural rate is six (6) hours per monthMaximum Accrual: of 600 hours.Bereavement Leave (sec. 4.6)Up to five (5) work shifts of bereavement leave; three (3) shifts with pay and two (2) shifts without pay per death of eligible family membersDisability Insurance (sec. 4.9)Employee receives 2/3 base pay after elimination period (14 consecutive days for STD and 180 consecutive days for LTD)*(See Sec 4.9.B for details on coverage for employees who don't qualify for commercial policy).Retirement (sec. 4.10)PERS 2@55Employees hired prior to 2/01/2011, City pays 7% EPMC*Employees hired on or after 2/01/2011 pay 7% EPMC**Employer Paid Member Contribution (EPMC)PERS 2@62 New members hired on or after 1/01/2013, pay (50%) of normal cost with three year average final compensation. Uniforms (Sec. 4.11)$80 each 6 months**: Telecommunications Techs, Wireless Techs, and Water Tech III incumbants (acting in capacity of Water Quality Inspectors)$225 each 6 months**: Bus Operator, Transit Dispatchers, Police Services Officer and Animal Control Officer.**Payable during June and December of each yearTool Allowance (Sec. 4.12)$250 every 6 months*: (Mechanic, Senior Mechanic, and Senior Welder)$175 tool and educational material allowance**: Animal Control Officer$100 one-time reimbursement: Mechanic or Senior Mechanic required to use metric tools (upon proof of purchase)*Payable during June and December of each year**Payable in FebruarySafety Shoes (Sec. 4.14)$125 allowance: every six (6) months of employment payable during June and December of each year for employees required to wear safety shoes$250 allowance: per year for Animal Control Officer payable during SeptemberDeferred Compensation (sec 4.15)457 Plan: Enrollment is voluntary.Upon completion of year one, employees receive a non-matching deferred City contribution of $300 ($11.54 per pay period) per calendar year.01 Your answers to the following supplemental questions will be used to determine if you qualify for the position of Apprentice Relief Bus Operator/Trainee. Resumes may be submitted but will NOT be used in place of the application or answers to the supplemental questions. Please read each question carefully and provide a thorough and complete response. Do NOT state see resume or see application to answer any of the following questions. If you fail to respond to all of the supplemental questions, your application will be considered incomplete and may not be considered for further processing. Do you understand Question #1?
02 I UNDERSTAND that I am required to describe IN DETAIL my experience that qualifies me for the position in the Work Experience Section of my application. In addition to including my qualifying experience, I UNDERSTAND that I should list ALL JOBS, regardless of duration, including part-time jobs, military service and any volunteer experience during my entire work history.I UNDERSTAND that when providing my work history, ALL DATES should be UPDATED, starting with my most recent job.I UNDERSTAND that answers that I provide to the supplemental questions should show how I am qualified in the Work Experience Section of my application.I UNDERSTAND that if I am currently an employee of the City of Torrance, I MUST provide my position/job title and provide a description of my duties in the Work Experience Section of my application.Please verify that you have read these statements and fully and completely understand them.
03 Do you have experience operating a commercial passenger vehicle that would require a Class A or B license with passenger endorsement?
- None
- I possess a Class A or B Permit.
- I possess a Class A or B license and have experience operating a commercial passenger vehicle. (If you check this box, you do not qualify for this position and will need to apply for the Relief Bus Operator position).
04 How many months of paid work experience do you have in customer service or public contact?
- None
- Less than 6 months
- More than 6 months, but less than 1 year
- More than 1 year, but less than 3 years
- More than 3 years
05 Give a brief description of your customer service or public contact experience. 06 Give a short answer of what providing good customer service means to you. 07 Have you been licensed to drive for a minimum of 5 years in the State of California?
08 Do you possess a Class C license?
09 If yes, provide your Driver's license date of expiration. 10 I understand that I am required to submit my driving record (DMV K4 Report), dated within the last thirty (30) days, as an attachment to this application. I understand that if I do not attach a K4, my application will be disqualified.
11 How many points do you have on your driving record (DMV K4 report) in the last three (3) years?
- 0 point
- 1 point
- 2 points
- 3 or more points
12 Are you available to work various shifts Sunday through Saturday from 4 a.m. to midnight.
13 Have you tested for this position in the last 6 months?
14 I certify that the information I have provided is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I understand that this information is subject to verification with my former employers, and that misrepresentation may cause me to forfeit all opportunities to be considered for employment with the City of Torrance.
Required Question