Paratransit Minibus Operator (Sunshine Line)

Job Overview

This position is responsible for operating specially equipped minibuses and vans to provide safe and efficient transportation services for Transportation Disadvantaged citizens.

Starting Salary

$36,732 - $47,756

Benefits

Click HERE to view our Benefits at a glance.

Core Competencies

• Customer Commitment - Proactively seeks to understand the needs of the customers and provide the highest standards of service.
• Dedication to Professionalism and Integrity - Demonstrates and promotes fair, honest, professional and ethical behaviors that establishes trust throughout the organization and with the public we serve.
• Organizational Excellence - Takes ownership for excellence through one's personal effectiveness and dedication to the continuous improvement of our operations.
• Success through Teamwork - Collaborates and builds partnerships through trust and the open exchange of diverse ideas and perspectives to achieve organizational goals.

Duties and Responsibilities

Note: The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform one or more of the activities described below.

• Operates a specially equipped minibus, van or similar vehicle to transport passengers, including those with physical or mental disabilities to and from scheduled appointments by following a prescribed route and schedule.
• Assists customers from the pick-up location door to the vehicle, including assisting with securing seatbelts, and from the vehicle to the door at a destination.
• Performs safety inspections on vehicles before operating to detect and report any mechanical malfunctions or safety issues that would prevent the safe transportation of passengers.
• Maneuvers wheelchairs, operates wheelchair lifts, and properly secures wheelchairs.
• Operates electronic communication devices and maintains communications with Operations to ensure efficient daily operations.
• Records daily information on passengers, trips, mileage, pick-up and drop off times using mobile data equipment or paper manifest.
• Attends training and testing programs or seminars as required.
• Cleans and performs minor preventive maintenance to vehicles.
• Provides first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to customers during emergencies as necessary.
• Responds to Emergency Operations Center requests to evacuate special needs citizens in the event of an emergency.
• Performs some dispatcher, scheduler and administrative duties as required. 
• Performs other related duties as required.

Job Specifications

• Knowledge of providing assistance for people with disabilities, mobility restrictions, and other related transportation needs.
• Knowledge of Hillsborough County roads, streets and traffic patterns.
• Knowledge of the general policies, guidelines and procedures that govern providing door-to-door service
• Skill in driving and maintaining a minibus, van or similar vehicle.
• Skill in the application of first aid and CPR.
• Skill in working with persons with disabilities and older adults.
• Skill in working with mobility devices.
• Ability to safely operate and maintain a minibus, van, or similar vehicle.
• Ability to maneuver a wheelchair, operate a wheelchair lift, and properly use wheelchair tie downs.
• Ability to read a street map and maintain records.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions and conform to Departmental standards.
• Ability to work flexible hours that may vary based on operational needs which may include evenings, weekends, nights, and holidays.
• Ability to work from different locations as needed throughout the County.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. 
• Ability to work effectively with others in a diverse population.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly required to sit; climb stairs; walk various distances; use of hands and fingers including reaching with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Requires ability to lift, push, and pull up to 55lbs. and exert up to 50lbs of force.
• Ability and willingness to perform work under extreme environmental and demanding physical conditions.

Work Category

Medium work - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds or force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Minimum Qualifications Required

• Graduation from high school or possession of a GED Certificate; AND
• One year of work experience transporting passengers with a transit/paratransit type vehicle in a transit, private for hire or nonprofit organization; OR
• Two years of work experience operating a van or larger vehicle for hire or nonprofit organization; OR
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that would reasonably be expected to provide the job-related competencies noted above; AND
• Possession of a valid Florida Driver’s License.

Additional Requirements for Some Positions

• Passing a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) prescribed physical examination and pass a background review prior to employment. 
• A Satisfactory driving record to include: 
  • no more than 7 points charged to applicant’s driving record for the prior 7 years, 
  • no suspension or revocation for refusal to take a sobriety test, and no suspension or revocation for a DUI conviction for the prior 7 years 
  • no reckless or careless driving offenses for the prior 7 years
  • no suspension or revocation of the driver license for moving violations in the prior 7 years
• Passing all required driver training and possession of a valid CPR and First-Aid Certification; and conformance to Departmental standards within the probationary period.

Special Probationary Period

• Employees without one-year of paratransit experience are required to successfully complete an extended training program as defined by the agency to which the position is assigned within the six-month probationary period.
•  The training period may be extended by the Agency to which the position is assigned.

​​​​​​​Emergency Management Responsibilities

In the event of an emergency or disaster, an employee may be required to respond promptly to duties and responsibilities as assigned by the employee’s department, the County’s Office of Emergency Management, or County Administration. Such assignments may be for before, during or after the emergency/disaster.

Additional Job Requirements

A department, depending on the nature of its mission and operations, may require that employees in all or certain positions in this job classification:

1. Maintain the ability to pass the background checks required for the position. These background checks may include but are not limited to:
   1. Criminal History Background Check using Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS)
   2. Level 1 and Level 2 Background screening (Ch. 435 Florida Statutes)
   3. Child Abuse, Abandonment and Neglect Record Check using the State Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS)
   4. Sex Offender and Sexual Predator record check using the list maintained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
2. Possess necessary job-related license(s) or certification(s) that may include possession of a Florida Driver License (Class E) or an applicable Commercial Driver License (CDL) 

For more information regarding background screenings, please visit https://info.flclearinghouse.com.