Designing Job Postings

Designing Job Postings – Common Strategies and Best Practices

Methodology

The research team reviewed more than 50 transit operator job postings for minimum requirements, preferred qualifications, information communicated about the hiring process and timeline, job descriptions, etc. The following sections summarizes common strategies, best practices, and agency examples based on our analysis.

Minimum Required Qualifications

Common Strategies

  • Most agencies list requirements for: age, years of driving experience, moving violations, Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) with passenger and airbrake endorsements.
  • Some agencies also list requirements for: bus or truck driving experience, customer service experience, high school diploma or GED, English language proficiency.

Best Practices

  • List clearly the required abilities and certifications on job descriptions and/or through screening phone calls.
Example: Utah Transit Authority
  • One year in a customer service role with ability to solve problems and resolve customer inquiries.
  • At least 21 years of age.
  • Safe driver with a valid driver license and no more than 2 moving violations in the past 3 years.
  • No convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or any drugs within the past 10 years.

Excerpted from Indeed posting for Utah Transit Authority (September, 2025)

Preferred Qualifications

Common Strategies

  • It is common for agencies to not list any preferred qualifications.
  • For some agencies, the following are preferred rather than required: CDL or CPL with passenger and airbrake endorsements, transportation experience, customer service experience, high school diploma or GED.
  • Some agencies list soft skills, such as ability to work effectively as a team member, accountability, dependability, integrity, trust, and positivity during stressful situations.

Best Practices

Example: Centre Area Transportation Authority (State College, PA)

To succeed as a Bus Operator, several key skills are essential for success. First and foremost, strong communication skills are critical, as you’ll be interacting with passengers and providing assistance when needed. A friendly and approachable demeanor will enhance the passenger experience.

Excellent driving skills, along with a keen attention to detail, will ensure safety on the roads and compliance with traffic regulations. Additionally, good problem-solving abilities are important for navigating unexpected situations, such as route changes or passenger inquiries. Flexibility is essential as hours worked includes nights, weekends, holidays, and split shifts.

Furthermore, possessing a strong sense of responsibility and dedication will help you provide a reliable service that the community counts on. Embrace the opportunity to develop and showcase these skills in a fulfilling role!

Excerpted from Indeed posting for Centre Area Transportation Authority (September, 2025)

Example: New Jersey Transit
  • Strong multi-tasking abilities, strong interpersonal, and communication skills- outstanding listening, verbal, written, and reading comprehension.
  • Careful attention to detail and time management.
  • Ability to work effectively as a team member.
  • Ability to demonstrate self-management capabilities
  • Possession of self-control, trustworthiness, adaptability, and conscientiousness while on the job.
  • Ability to learn, recall, and apply technical information.
  • Shows accountability and dependability, and effectively demonstrates a positive attitude during stressful situations.

Excerpted from Indeed posting for NJ Transit (September, 2025)

Job Description

Common Strategies

  • Job descriptions, when included in the postings reviewed, varied among agencies. Some agencies list very detailed job functions; others may not go into specific tasks and instead provide an overview while emphasizing certain aspects like safety and friendliness.

Best Practices

  • Describe tasks and desired outcomes with specificity.
  • As with the previous section, highlight soft skills and write postings in language that appeals to today’s jobseekers. See the TWC Recruitment Toolkit for ideas.
Example: VIA Metropolitan Transit (San Antonio, TX)

Join Our Team and Keep San Antonio Moving!

Are you ready to take the wheel of your career and make a real difference in your community? We’re looking for passionate, safety-conscious individuals to join our team of Bus Operators! This isn’t just a job; it’s an opportunity to connect with people, promote safe and reliable transportation, build a career, and be part of an organization that values innovation, service, and teamwork. Plus, eligible applicants can earn an incentive bonus of up to $4,000!

What You’ll Do:

  • Be a Superhero Behind the Wheel: Safely and efficiently operate modern buses, ensuring passengers reach their destinations on time and in comfort.
  • Deliver Outstanding Customer Service: Greet passengers with a smile, provide directions, and resolve issues with professionalism and care.
  • Ensure Passenger Safety: Assist riders requiring special accommodations and promote accessibility for everyone in our community.
  • Stay Connected: Communicate with Dispatch to address route changes, road conditions, and emergencies.
  • Keep Things Rolling: Conduct pre-trip inspections, report maintenance needs, and ensure your bus is clean, safe, and ready to roll.
  • Represent With Pride: Adhere to our professional standards for dress, attendance, and conduct.

Excerpted from Via website posting (September, 2025)

Example: Utah Transit Authority

Our bus operators are the face of UTA! Safety and excellent customer service are the top priority for this position and UTA is working diligently to identify and hire the best and brightest for this critical role. We will teach you everything you need to know about how to operate UTA passenger buses and keep customers and equipment safe. Enjoy performing standard pre-trip/post-trip vehicle inspections, communicating information to the dispatch center, customers and supervisors, answer questions from customers and others, collect passenger fare, and follow UTA guidelines, operating rules and procedures. If you are seeking a long-term, fulfilling career, consider becoming a Bus Operator for UTA. Opportunities for advancement are impressive, benefits are incredible, and the security of knowing you work for a highly successful and stable organization in service to the community brings a sense of peace, belonging, and progress.

Excerpted from Indeed job posting for Utah Transit Authority (September, 2025)

Example: Spokane Transit Authority (WA)

Do you have a strong desire to provide excellent customer service?

Spokane Transit is recruiting for Coach Operators to start our next available class. As a Coach Operator you will be responsible for providing excellent customer service while efficiently and safely transporting passengers to their proper destinations in a courteous, safe and timely manner. As you create, promote, and maintain relationships with passengers and fellow employees, you will promote a positive partnership through your service to Spokane and its surrounding communities.

Excerpted from Indeed job posting for Spokane Transit Authority (September, 2025)

Salary and Incentives

Common Strategies

  • Most agencies list an hourly wage.
  • Many agencies list additional benefits: paid training; mental, dental, and vision insurance; pension plan; paid holidays and time off.
  • Less frequently listed benefits included: gym membership; employee assistance programs; tuition reimbursement; free transit.
  • Some agencies also include sign on bonuses.

Best Practices

Example: CTTRANSIT
  • [Salary range listed clearly at the top of the list]
  • Paid training
  • 401(k)
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Flexible spending account
  • Life insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Disability insurance
  • Paid holidays’

Excerpted from Indeed posting for CT Transit (September, 2025)

Information About the Hiring Process

Common Strategies

  • Many agencies list clear steps of the process following the application: for example, skills and/or behavioral assessment; interview; education and employment verification; criminal background check; medical examination including drug and alcohol screening; driving record/license review.
  • Some agencies include more detailed steps, such as completing documentation or attending pre-hire information sessions.
  • Few job postings reviewed included information about the hiring timeline or  a closing date for the application.

Best Practices

  • Consider omitting information about criminal background checks in the job description—or make very clear the kinds of offenses that are and are not disqualifiable, and how far back the review will go. Otherwise, candidates may screen themselves out at the first notice of “background check,” not knowing that a past offense might not be considered disqualifiable by the employer. Limit background checks to items that are relevant to the individual’s ability to successfully complete this job, so long as doing so meets legal requirements.
  • Include information about the drug and alcohol policy.
Example: King County Metro

Applicants who receive a conditional offer must complete all portions of the Pre-Employment Process (PEP) within 45 days of receiving the conditional offer, including obtaining a Commercial Learners Permit.

Excerpted from King County Metro website posting (September, 2025)

Example: Chicago Transit Authority

[From FAQ section of job listing]

How long will the hiring process take?

Approximately two (2) months from your testing date.

How long will it take to hear after an interview?

Within 48 hours you should hear from a member of our team by email or phone. Please make sure to have your most up to date contact information on your application. Additionally, check your spam/junk folders to make sure you don’t miss anything.”

Excerpted from CTA website posting (September, 2025)

Example: San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency

No convictions within the past seven (7) years of any offense related to the use, sale, possession, or transportation of narcotics, habit forming drugs, or dangerous drugs; No convictions of any sex offense as defined in Section 44010 of the Education Code

Excerpted from SF MUNI website posting(September, 2025)

Other Strategies for Great Job Postings

This page is part of TWC’s Streamlining Operator Hiring Practices research initiative aimed at documenting current transit agency hiring processes for operators and producing new resources to support agencies’ operator hiring efforts. Through an industry survey and interviews with 15 transit locations, the TWC research team has produced a series of fact sheets, briefs, and other resources focused on various aspects of the hiring process. Check out the initiative landing page to learn more about the project and to see the other resources.