Come join the City of Fresno in Building a Better Fresno!

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Position Description

POSITION DESCRIPTION
This is a unique opportunity to join a department which takes pride in serving the greater Fresno Metropolitan Area with high quality transit service consisting of a modern fleet of over 100 buses and a dedicated team of customer service focused transit professionals. Fresno Area Express is operated by the City of Fresno as a public transportation service to all citizens and visitors of Fresno.

Bus Drivers are responsible for the operation of passenger coaches on assigned and special routes. Incumbents provide information to passengers concerning schedules, routes, and transfers, perform pre and post vehicle operation checks, and complete various daily operation reports.

A new employee begins training as a "Student Driver". A "Student Driver" is a new operator who must be trained and instructed on all lines and bus equipment until qualified to perform all the duties of a regular bus driver. A "Student Driver" is classified as a trainee employee and will earn $25.57/hr. (per Fresno Salary Resolution Exhibit 6) until the completion of the training program, normally eight weeks. Upon successful completion of all training requirements, Student Drivers are transitioned into the Bus Driver classification and are paid $28.13/hr.-$35.90/hr. Incumbents may be required to work any shift and may be required to work holidays and weekends.

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Operates passenger coach on an assigned route to meet a designated schedule; picks-up and discharges passengers at regular stops; checks for proper fare; issues and receives transfers; counts riders; assists passengers when needed.

• Provides information to the public concerning routes, schedules, and transfer points; reports and accounts for lost articles; completes various reports, such as daily operation and accident reports.

• Performs preoperational checks of coaches including damage or defects in body, tires, lights, mirrors, instruments, brakes, and other equipment for rider and driver safety and

convenience: reports all defects or deficiencies found during such checks.

• Monitor passenger behavior and contact appropriate personnel as necessary concerning transportation problems and concerns in a reasonable, timely manner to provide high quality services to passengers.

• Operates passenger coaches on special routes.

• Assist passengers with special needs; load and secure wheelchairs and related medical equipment to meet the needs of the passengers.

• May instruct new drivers in the operation of passenger coaches in accordance with safety regulations and established procedures and schedules.

• Performs assigned duties with a pleasant and congenial personality.

• Performs related duties as required.

Full job specifications available to be viewed at:

https://www.fresno.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/JS-Bus-Driver.pdf

View “We Work For You” video to get an inside look at how rewarding it is to work for the City of Fresno: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6cD1fomgnc

Immediate and future vacancies will be filled from this eligible list for a period of three (3) months from the date the eligible list is created, with the option of extending that period at the City's discretion. If the examination process is suspended for this recruitment, the eligible list may be limited to three (3) months.

THE REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications on or before the posted filing deadline in order to qualify for the examination and does not assure a place on the eligibility list:

A High School Diploma or equivalent GED completion.

-AND-

Two (2) years of work experience involving direct public contact similar to that gained in retail sales, public service setting or closely related field.

-AND-

Three (3) years of licensed experience in the operation of motor vehicles.

A CURRENT (issued within the past 30 days) COPY OF YOUR COMPLETE DRIVING RECORD FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES MUST BE UPLOADED TO YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION AT TIME OF APPLICATION.

THIS REPORT MUST BE DATED AFTER June 29, 2026, AND WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED IF CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES IS AN OFFICIAL DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES DOCUMENT.

THIS REPORT MUST CONTAIN YOUR COMPLETE DRIVING RECORD. (DMV CHARGES A FEE, THE CITY OF FRESNO WILL NOT REIMBURSE THE COST OF THIS PRINTOUT.)

APPLICANTS LACKING THE DMV PRINTOUT ATTACHMENT AT TIME OF APPLICATION WILL BE REJECTED. DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION UNTIL YOUR DMV PRINTOUT IS ATTACHED TO YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION.

Paper copies, emails, online, nor faxed DMV Driving Records will not be accepted. Printed copies must be scanned and converted to a pdf document to upload to your online application.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's license. Candidates considered for hire must provide proof of a valid driver’s license and current copy of their driving record.

Eligibles referred for hiring consideration must successfully complete a medical examination, background investigation (fingerprints included), and drug screening as part of the pre-employment process.

This position is designated as being Safety Sensitive and requires all eligibles offered employment to successfully pass a drug test prior to employment. Federal law requires that applicants for positions involving the operation of certain transit vehicles, revenue services vehicles, the transportation of hazardous materials or heavy equipment over 26,001 pounds requiring a commercial driver's license, must undergo pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment and be subject to random alcohol and drug testing throughout their employment in this position.

Please complete the “Primary & Highest Education” sections and your driver’s license information under the Licenses and Certifications section of the online application. Applicants must complete and answer the supplemental questions.

NOTE: The City of Fresno does not reimburse the cost of obtaining DMV Driving Record. Candidates will also be expected to produce updated DMV Driving Records at time of Transportation Department interview and those hired shall produce a third updated copy of DMV Driving Record immediately prior to commencing the "Student Driver" training.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's license at time of application.
a) Must be able to obtain a Class B license, with required certificates and endorsements by the end of the training period (approximately eight weeks).
b) Must maintain the valid Class B Driver's License for the entire term of employment in this class.
c)Must obtain a commercial instruction permit by the end of the second week of the initial training period. Failure to obtain permit shall be cause for termination.

DMV RECORD VERIFICATION: DMV driving records shall be reviewed at time of application. To qualify for the written examination, a qualified applicant DMV driving record must NOT indicate the following:

1) In the last three (3) years - No Suspension, Revocation or Probation of a Driver’s license by DMV.

2)I In the last three (3) years - No conviction under the following California Vehicle Code sections: 15302-VC, 15304-VC, 13353-VC, 14601-VC, 20001-VC, 20002-VC, 23140-VC, 23103-VC through 23104-VC, 23152-VC through 23153-VC and 40508-VC.

3)Regardless of when - Applicants having more than one violation, in separate incidents, of any of the above, may not qualify for the written examination. For additional information about the listed vehicle code violations, please visit https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-education-and-safety/dmv-safety-guidelines-actions/negligence/ .

THE SELECTION PROCESS
The examination process may consist of the following:
Online Examination - 100% A job related written exam will be given which may test a candidate's knowledge in the following areas: General Safe Driving Practices, Reading Comprehension, Interpretation of Rules, Map Reading, Proofreading, English Usage, Spelling, Interpersonal Relations.
A candidate must achieve a passing score in the online examination to secure placement on the eligible list.

The online examination is scheduled for the week of July 27, 2026.

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE
Qualified veterans who pass the examination may obtain five (5) additional points.
Candidates applying for veteran's preference are required to submit a copy of their DD214 with their application during the specified filing period. Evidence must be presented to indicate that the candidate was discharged honorably from the military service. Veterans, including City employees, must resubmit proof of honorable service for every examination for which veteran's preference credit is requested.

How To Apply

For information on how to complete an online application, please visit the Help & Support tab. For NEOGOV Application Assistance, please call 1-855-524-5627 or email support@governmentjobs.com. ONLY ONLINE APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS ARE ACCEPTED and must be submitted by midnight on the closing deadline, or they will not be accepted for any reason.

Required licenses, certifications, and education must be verified with supporting documents. Foreign education must be evaluated by a credential evaluation service recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Please ensure all relevant attachments are uploaded with your application.

For the work experience section, provide detailed descriptions of job duties for each position related to the specific role you are applying for. Resumes are not a substitute for completing this section and will only be reviewed as supplemental information, not for determining minimum qualifications.

For other City of Fresno employment opportunities, please view our Careers Homepage . If you have recruitment questions, please call our office at 559-621-6950. Our office is located at 2600 Fresno Street, Room 1030, Fresno, CA 93721.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Fresno is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Should you need a special accommodation due to a qualifying disability, please contact the Personnel Service Department at (559) 621-6950 in advance of the examination.

Bargaining Unit 6

Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1027 (ATU)

BENEFIT

DESCRIPTION

HEALTH INSURANCE

The City contributes toward monthly premiums for PPO medical, dental and vision for employee and dependents.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT

IRS 125 Plan for health and dependent care expenses.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION

Voluntary 457 plan with Fidelity Investments to increase your retirement savings.

VACATION LEAVE

Accrue 8 -14.66 hours per month based on years of service available after 6 months.

SICK LEAVE

Accrue 8 hours per month with a cap of 900 hours.

HOLIDAYS

11 City-observed annual holidays, plus birthday and 1 personal day with a cap of 48 hours.

SHORT TERM DISABILITY

Provided through California SDI program

UNIFORM ALLOWANCE

$530 per year.

BILINGUAL PREMIUM: PAY

$100 per month upon approved certification.

FREE BUS PASSES

For bus driver, spouse, and dependent children under age 18.

HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT ARRANGEMENT (HRA)

Eligible retirees can use the remaining Sick Leave balance, in excess of 240 hours, at 80% of hourly rate and other qualified leave balances, tax free, to reimburse health insurance premiums and other qualified medical expenses.

RETIREMENT - City of Fresno Retirement Systems, one of the best funded public systems in the state. Reciprocity with other public California systems. Vested in Retirement benefits after 5 years of service. City employees do not participate in Social Security.

DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Program): an optional, voluntary program that allows an employee to deposit retirement benefits in a special savings account within the Retirement System while continuing to work for the City of Fresno for up to 10 years. Participation minimum is age 50 and vested. Benefits include ownership of accumulated funds, compound interest earnings, and alternative distribution options.

• Part-time employees receive a rate propionate to a full-time employee.

Additional information regarding the City of Fresno benefits is available at

https://www.fresno.gov/personnel/human-resources-support/#tab-1

Closing Date/Time: 7/13/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

The City of Fresno is the largest city in the San Joaquin Valley and the fifth largest city in California, with a population of more than 545,000 residents. Fresno is the financial core of the San Joaquin Valley, and its economy relies on its large-scale agricultural production. Revitalization of Downtown Fresno's core and the construction of High Speed Rail are two of many exciting projects that continue to successfully support Fresno's growing economy.

Click HERE for a video about the great City of Fresno.

Located in the geographical center of California, Fresno offers many sights. From fertile agricultural fields, an abundance of lakes, and the snowy Sierra Nevada mountain range, the scenic variety in Fresno is large. Fresno also features a diverse selection of dining, shopping, farmers markets, vibrant arts and culture, wineries, as well as a variety of attractions. With 300 days of sunshine a year, the climate in Fresno is the source of its agricultural productivity, and allows year-round recreational activities including sailing, snow and water skiing, fishing, backpacking, and golfing.

Los Angeles is approximately four hours south and the San Francisco Bay Area is approximately three hours north. Fresno is located in proximity to three sites of natural beauty: Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, and Sequoia National Park. Residents and visitors alike enjoy these scenes and others, including the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

Another advantage to living in Fresno is the exceptional housing that is available at lower price levels than California's other large metropolitan areas. There are four large school districts in the Fresno area: Fresno Unified, Central Unified, Sanger Unified and Clovis Unified. Fresno is the home of California State University, Fresno, as well as a number of other colleges and universities.

The people of Fresno enjoy a wide variety of social, cultural, athletic, educational and recreational activities in an affordable and clean living environment.

City Government

Fresno is a full-service charter city operating under a strong mayor form of government. There are seven Council Members. The Council appoints the City Attorney and the City Clerk. The Mayor is elected at- large and does not serve on the Council, but has veto power over certain actions taken by the City Council. The City Manager, who is appointed by the Mayor, is responsible for appointing all other department heads in the City.