Transit Operator Recruitment Guide
Mississauga Transit Where you need to be! Are you interested in a rewarding career in the Transit industry? Do you enjoy driving? Do you enjoy meeting new people and working independently? If you answered yes, then you should consider a career as a Mississauga Transit Operator. As a Mississauga Transit Operator you will operate a Mississauga Transit vehicle on established routes and time schedules with a varying number of stops along the way. In addition to this you will be responsible for collecting fares; responding to customer inquiries concerning transit information, and ensuring the safety of all customers. This career requires attentiveness, good judgment, safe driving habits, and an ability to deal with all kinds of people. Joining our team as a Mississauga Transit Operator you will have the opportunity to apply your skills in a respected, customer-service role. To become a Mississauga Transit Operator there are a number of items to consider. Take a moment to review the following information carefully to ensure you possess the necessary qualifications and are agreeable to all the working conditions prior to applying for this position. Qualifications All Candidates must: Be legally entitled to work in Canada (i.e. a Canadian citizen, landed immigrant or valid work permit) Possess a Grade 12 education or equivalent Have a minimum of three (3) years Customer Service experience identifying and responding to the needs of customers inside and outside the organization Hold a valid, unrestricted Class G Driver's Licence or equivalent with a point-free driving record. Abstract will be required. Keep in mind that G1 and G2 Licenses are not acceptable. Class B or C Licence preferred. Have a minimum five (5) years of motor vehicle operator experience in high density traffic conditions Qualify for a Class B Ontario Driver's Licence with a Z air brake endorsement by providing appropriate medical information and completing the four (4) week training period Be willing to work split shifts and night shifts on a rotating basis Have the ability to read, write and communicate effectively in English Successfully complete the Customer Service and Driving video tests Have no criminal convictions for which a pardon has not been granted. All job offers are conditional upon providing, at your expense, a Criminal Record Search Certificate, to verify you do not have a Criminal Record for which you have not received a pardon Be capable of meeting the physical demands of the job - such as sitting for prolonged periods of time, using extremity motion such as reaching, gripping, push/pull of steering wheel, twisting and turning of neck, sensory/perceptual demands along with good concentration, visual acuity of 20/30 and colour vision deemed safe for driving to judge distances, fine finger movements, such as keying data into fare box keypad, etc Possess a strong knowledge of City of Mississauga streets and locations an asset
Work Hours and Shift Information As a Transit Operator you will be required to work shifts. Shifts may vary from day to day and week to week but will most definitely involve working a "split shift". This means that you will be required to work a total of eight (8) hours over a twelve (12) hour time period. An example of a "split shift" is: Report time: 3:05 p.m. - 7:05 p.m. Unpaid break Report time: 10:45 p.m. - 2:45 a.m. All shifts and vacation time are signed for based on seniority. Currently we have 650 Transit Operators ahead of new Operators on the seniority list. You can expect to work evening split shifts, have split days off, not have any time off during peak vacation periods and no summer vacations for an extended period of time (anywhere between 10 to 15 years). You must provide maximum flexibility to allow for 40 hours a week to be scheduled anytime, 23 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The shift work required will have an impact on your personal life. We recommend that all applicants consider this aspect of the position very seriously. Working Conditions There are many rewards to being a Transit Operator, but there are also a number of challenges. These challenges are due a seniority-based system that determines an Operator's hours of work, vacation time, days off, and the nature of the job itself. These challenges can impact an Operator's personal life. The following is a description of what the new operator may expect. Mississauga Transit operates 7 days a week, 365 days a year. New operators will be required to work weekends and holidays. New operators will be required to work a number of split shifts including pieces of work that are both day/night shifts and days off may not be consecutive or consistent. A Day in the Life of a Transit Operator Listed below are typical responsibilities that Transit Operators are faced with on a daily basis. Keep in mind that each day is unique so flexibility is a major requirement of this job: Transport passengers safely according to Mississauga Transit's routes and time schedules; operate assigned Transit vehicles in a defensive manner in high density traffic and all weather conditions Collect proper fares and check the validity of transfers and passes resolving any disputes professionally Provide information and assist passengers in a courteous manner overcoming various physical and language barriers based on our diverse rider ship Maintain order on the vehicle dealing with individual riders as well as disruptive groups Advise Transit Control of schedule deficiencies Fill out accident and/or other reports as required related to irregular on-street incidences during the shift
Seniority dictates an Operator's choice of hours, vacation time and days off. Items such as weather conditions; construction; traffic; difficult passengers and following a set schedule are just some of the challenges that the operator will face on a daily basis. The Transit Operator Recruitment Process Stage 1 Application DURING AN ACTIVE RECRUITMENT PERIOD which will be posted on our website, apply online at www.mycitycareer.ca, Click on the Transit Operator link (located on the left side of page) Review the job description Click the Apply for this job button You are now on the Member Login page If this is the first time you have applied for a job at the City of Mississauga on-line you will need to create a profile by clicking on the Join now link! (Complete the Registration Information) If you already have a profile created, enter your username and password. Following the instructions to download or cut and paste your cover letter and resume Once you submit your resume/cover letter a questionnaire will appear Answer the questions and submit the questionnaire You will be notified via e-mail that we received your resume and questionnaire Honestly and accurately complete the on-line questionnaire, any falsification or misrepresentation of information will be subject to immediate disqualification Candidates will be screened based on stated position qualifications and experience as indicated in their resume and in comparison with the established criteria as identified in the job posting Previously submitted application forms and resumes will not be considered Computers are available for public use to apply for the Transit Operator position at City Hall, located in the Cashier s Hall. The Mississauga Central Branch Library has computers available for public use dedicated to apply for Transit Operators jobs. These computers are located on the 4 th Floor in the Business Department.
On-line job application workshops are available to jobseekers that need assistance with the on-line job application process. Please bring an electronic copy of your resume/cover letter with you. The workshops are intended to assist jobseekers to get there application processed on-line. It is not intended to be used as an interview session with staff, as recruitment staff will not be available. Workshops will be held at the Living Arts Centre, on the 2nd Floor Computer Lab, on Saturday, April 22, 2006, from 12:00 noon to 4:00pm, and on Thursday, April 27, 2006 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm Stage 2 Invitation to Test Potential candidates meeting the basic job qualifications will receive an information package by e-mail which lists: testing dates and times and other documentation required in order for the hiring process to continue. Stage 3 Test If you are invited to participate in the prescreening video testing, you will be required to submit a current abstract and pay a $10.00 non-refundable administration fee. Applicants must successfully complete two video tests in order to proceed further in the recruitment process. The first video test, approximately 45 minutes in length simulates the actual environment of a transit vehicle in operation. The second video test is approximately 90 minutes in length and consists of live enactments of actual situations that Transit Operators may be faced with while on the job. Both video tests require you to respond in a multiple choice manner. You must successfully complete both tests in order to proceed further in the recruitment process. Once successfully completing the testing session, candidates move on to the next stage of the process: Job Shadow and Interview. Candidates will be asked to proceed in acquiring a Criminal Record Search Certificate - Vulnerable Sector Screening, to verify you do not have a Criminal Record for which you have not received a pardon. Searches can take up to 8 weeks at a non- refundable cost of $45.00. Stage 4 Invitation to Interview Applicants who achieve passing level scores on both pre-screening video tests will be invited to an interview by e-mail and be required to complete a mandatory Job Shadow Exercise that must be submitted at the time of interview. Stage 5 Job Shadow Exercise Applicants that successfully pass our video testing and want to continue on in the hiring process must spend time on our transit system observing Transit Operators as they perform the day-to-day functions of their job while working with the public.
The purpose of this exercise is to expose you to the actual work environment of a Transit Operator. We feel by observing Operators who are on the job you will be able to make a more informed decision as to whether or not you want to pursue a career as a Transit Operator. You are to inquire about both the positive and negative aspects of an Operators job. Ask the Operator what they think about their job in regards to their various shifts, split shifts, vacation, weather conditions, size of vehicle and different types of people situations that they have to deal with under very demanding conditions. Operators have to deal with a wide variety of customers everyday. You must ride and observe a minimum of 5 different routes at a minimum of 30 minutes each, of those 5 routes one must be the route 19, current bus fare is $2.50. Stage 6 Interview / Behavioural Assessment Candidates successful in the Testing stage of the recruitment will be scheduled for an interview, candidates with the highest customer service score will be scheduled first. Candidates will be asked to complete a behavioural assessment exercise (Predictive Index) that will assist the hiring team in their employment hiring decisions. Candidates must also bring the completed Job Shadow Exercise with them to the interview. Stage 7 Reference Check Candidates successful in the Interview stage of the recruitment will be referenced, applicants must provide 3 work related references at the time of interview. Stage 8 Job Offer / Medical / Criminal Record Search Candidates successful in all 7 stages of the recruitment process will be contacted by a city representative to confirm acceptance of position and start date. Candidates will be provided a Ministry of Transportation Medical Report form that is to be complete (at your cost) by your Family Physician, Medical report forms are to be submitted 2 weeks prior to your start date. Candidates must bring a Criminal Record Search Certificate submitted 2 weeks prior to your start date. All Job offers at the City of Mississauga are conditional, upon providing, at your own expense, a Criminal Record Search, to verify you do not have a Criminal Record for which you have not received a pardon.
Stage 9 Training Date Confirmation / Start of Training Candidates that have passed all stages of the recruitment process and who have met the Ministry of Transportation medical requirements for a BZ licence are contacted to confirm a start date for the training session. All successful applicants are scheduled to participate in a 4 week training program specific to the Transit Operator position. Note: The offer of employment is conditional upon passing the mandatory training program, providing a clean criminal record search certificate, and successfully completing the 9 month probationary period. Candidates who do not pass the training and/or are unable to pass the Ministry of Transportation testing requirements to obtain a class BZ licence, will have the conditional offer of employment withdrawn. This is a competitive process and only those candidates who demonstrate the skills and competencies which most closely match the successful profile of a Transit Operator will be selected to participate in the Operator Training program. The number of applicants hired is dependant on the availability of positions and service level requirements. Please note that this is subject to change.