Bus Operator - City of Ottawa, Ottawa

Your Impact

As a Bus Operator with the City of Ottawa, you play a vital role in providing safe, reliable, and courteous transit services to over 100 million customers annually. Joining the Transit Bus and Para Transit Operations team, you will contribute to delivering efficient and cost-effective rapid transit service to a growing and diverse City of Ottawa. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to essential public service and be a visible representative of the City of Ottawa in the community.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Operating City of Ottawa buses in accordance with the Highway Traffic Act and corporate policy.
• Promoting a customer service mindset when interacting with the general public.
• Providing a safe, comfortable, efficient, and reliable transportation service.
• Temporarily working in roles such as Operator/Bilingual Sightseeing, Charter Sightseeing, and Operator/Platform Instructor when required, with appropriate pay adjustments.

What You'll Bring

To succeed as a Bus Operator, you will need a combination of education, experience, and key competencies to ensure the safe and effective delivery of transit service across Ottawa.

Education and Experience:

• Completion of Grade 12.
• Minimum of 5 years of driving experience with a clean driving record free of demerit points.
• Ideally a minimum of 3 years of relevant customer service experience, including direct contact with the public and dealing with a diverse population.
• Public Urban transit experience is considered an asset.

Certifications and Licences:

• Completion of a Defensive Driving course or related is an asset.
• A valid Ontario unrestricted G class driver’s license (or provincial equivalent) with 0 demerit points accumulated to the City of Ottawa’s satisfaction.
• Ability to pass the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) medical exam required to obtain a class 'C' license prior to hire.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of City of Ottawa landmarks and locations.
• Knowledge of transit fares and pass structure (desirable).
• Knowledge of the Highway Traffic Act (desirable).
• Knowledge of/experience using portable communications technologies, such as 2-way radio (desirable).

Competencies, Skills, and Abilities:

• Able to adapt and react to changes in operating conditions/environment.
• Able to operate in a highly diverse cultural community.
• Attentive to detail and able to adhere to specific detailed procedures.
• Persuasive and tactful with excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills.
• Possess good written communication skills.
• Basic understanding of and ability to use computers.
• Able to multi-task, solve problems, and make decisions.
• Able to remain calm in stressful situations and exercise sound judgement.
• Able to work with minimum direct supervision and in a team environment.
• Ability to use a radio and microphone and to communicate effectively.
• Ability to call out stops as per the CTA directive.
• Ability to read and understand trip dockets.
• Ability to operate a bus in high-density traffic in the downtown core.
• Ability to react and deal with emergency situations as they arise.
• Ability to talk to and assist passengers while safely operating a bus.
• Able to project a positive and professional image at all times, through personal appearance and conduct.
• Able to act independently and communicate clearly in writing, in person, and by using corporate communications technologies.
• Able to deliver excellent customer service at all times and deal with all situations professionally, remaining calm and self-controlled when dealing with difficult situations, and cooperating with Transit Supervisors and other City of Ottawa personnel to meet customers’ transit needs.
• Available and able to work overtime, and work a variety of scheduled shifts including split shifts, weekends, evenings, and holidays, as per the collective agreement.

Physical Requirements (repetitive and constant during a normal shift):

• Ability to sit for long periods of time in the driver’s seat while wearing a seat belt.
• Ability to bend, twist body, and manipulate controls independently or simultaneously at any given time, while wearing a seatbelt.
• Ability to “reach over-head” with both arms to manipulate controls.
• Constant twisting and neck rotation of different ranges to check mirrors, bus passes, etc.
• Ability to perform required MTO pre-trip inspection, which involves walking, bending, squatting, climbing, reaching, and twisting body in many different positions.
• Medium duty lifting while assisting customers with special needs.
• Constant gripping, pulling, and pushing to manipulate controls (steering controls, control valves, etc.).
• Bending, stooping, crouching, and twisting in order to keep stairway clear of ice and snow build-up.
• Ability to manipulate dual foot controls independently or simultaneously at any given time.

Who You'll Work With

You will be an integral part of the Transit Services Department, specifically within the Transit Bus Oper & Maintenance Service, working closely with OC Transpo. Your day-to-day interactions will involve the general public, Transit Supervisors, and other City of Ottawa personnel, all working collaboratively to meet the transit needs of our community. This role is affiliated with ATU 279/Trans Operators, operating under a collective agreement.

Compensation and Perks

The City of Ottawa offers a competitive salary structure for its Bus Operator positions, with clear progression based on experience and successful completion of training. The training rate is set at 50% of the full-time Bus Operator wage rate, providing a solid foundation as you begin your career in transit service.

Salary Information (2026 Rates of Pay):

• Training rate: $18.400/hr
• 1st - 8th month after training: 85% of Bus Operator rate ($32.224/hr)
• 9th - 16th month after training: 90% of Bus Operator rate ($34.119/hr)
• 17th - 24th month after training: 95% of Bus Operator rate ($36.015/hr)
• After 24 months: Full Bus Operator rate ($37.910/hr)

Additional Information:

• This is a full-time permanent position with 40.00 hours per week, involving shift work.
• The City of Ottawa promotes diversity and inclusion and provides accommodation to applicants during all parts of the hiring process upon request.