Transit Operator (26-261)

Job Title: Transit Operator
Bargaining Unit: ATU 946
Language Requirement: English Essential
Vacancy Status: Existing Position – Temporary & establishment of applicant pool for future openings.

This job posting is to staff 1 temporary position and future upcoming vacancies (various schedules).

Cornwall is a beautiful community with a population of 47,000 situated on the banks of the St. Lawrence River in Eastern Ontario. The city offers a wide array of urban amenities, making it an excellent place for a career and raising a family. With a growing economy, expanding population and fantastic quality of life, there has never been a better time to start the next phase of your career with the City of Cornwall! Cornwall is a diverse and progressive community where residents and partners feel safe, welcomed, and enjoy a high quality of life supported by access to financially responsible and sustainable municipal services and infrastructure. 
Position Summary 

The Transit Operator is responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable, and timely operation of municipal transit vehicles. This position requires exceptional customer service while adhering to schedules, traffic laws, and safety regulations. The Transit Operator is responsible for effectively managing service expectations, including addressing schedule delays and passenger concerns while navigating the demands of the position. This role is essential in fostering a positive transit experience and upholding the municipality’s commitment to safe, accessible and dependable public transportation for our community.

Key Responsibilities 

• Operate transit vehicles safely and in accordance with municipal policies, traffic laws, and transit schedules.
• Provide excellent customer service by assisting passengers, answering questions, and ensuring accessibility accommodations as needed.
• Monitor and maintain awareness of route conditions, reporting delays, road hazards, or operational concerns.
• Ensure the safety of passengers by enforcing transit rules and assisting with emergency procedures when necessary.
• Ensure vehicle safety by conducting pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections, properly reporting any maintenance issues or defects.
• Maintain accurate records, including fare transactions, incident reports, and service logs.
• Adhere to all safety regulations, policies, and procedures to minimize risk and ensure passenger well-being.
• Communicate effectively with dispatch, supervisors, and passengers to provide updates and report concerns.
• Assist in emergency situations, including evacuations and mental health crisis, ensuring proper de-escalation protocols are followed to ensure a safe environment is maintained for all parties.

Leadership of Others

• N/A

Position Requirements 

Education & Certifications:

• Valid Ontario “G” driver’s license, and the ability to obtain a valid Ontario Class “B” or “C” driver’s license with air brake endorsement.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Transit Operations : Strong knowledge of transit routes, traffic laws, and passenger safety protocols.
• Customer Service : Strong interpersonal skills for interacting with passengers, addressing concerns professionally, and handling difficult passenger interactions, requesting police intervention when necessary.
• Communication : Strong verbal and effective written skills to relay route updates and emergency information effectively.
• Problem-Solving : Ability to handle unexpected situations, including delays, passenger issues, and route changes.
• Attention to Detail : Ability to complete vehicle inspections, fare transactions, and service logs accurately.
• Situational Awareness : Ability to respond to road hazards and emergency situations quickly and effectively.
• Stress Management : Resilience and adaptability to manage various customer situations and weather conditions effectively.

Working Conditions 

• Work is performed primarily within a transit vehicle.
• This position requires shift work, which may include hours such as nights, weekends, split shifts, holidays and overtime as required.
• This role involves exposure to various weather and road conditions.
• Cognitive demands include sustained concentration, adjusting to route or passenger changes on short notice, de-escalating conflict and offering reassurance during service disruptions, delays, or emergencies, and making real-time decisions in situations involving passenger safety, illness, or behavioral issues.
• Physical demands include prolonged sitting and occasionally assisting passengers with mobility needs.

If selected for this role, you will need to provide:

• Successful reference check (two work-related references, with a minimum of one being a direct supervisor)
• Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check
• Satisfactory 3-year Driver’s Abstract, free of demerit points

• Proof of Certifications

Additional Information:
The Corporation of The City of Cornwall strives to promote and demonstrate the values of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. We are committed to reflecting the diversity of the community we serve and encourage qualified candidates of all backgrounds and abilities to apply. Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process as required. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted. Information collected will be handled in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

The City of Cornwall is an equal-opportunity employer committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process. At the City, we respect, encourage and celebrate our diversity. The City of Cornwall is committed to providing accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodation, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs. Please save a copy of this posting for your records. Please ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how you meet each of the required qualifications. Please note, selection for further consideration will be based on the information you provide in your application. Interviews may be conducted virtually through Microsoft Teams or in-person.

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