Cliffs over looking the ocean

Employment

Join the Team

Be a part of the team that keeps Santa Cruz moving. METRO is an equal opportunity employer offering competitive pay and excellent benefits – including medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance coverage for all full-time employees and their eligible dependents.

You can read our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer Statement here or request a copy of METRO’s EEO Program by contacting our EEO Officer at (831) 420-2541 or mdelfin@scmtd.com

Recruitment Process

Santa Cruz METRO only accepts applications for positions that are currently open.

  • You must complete a separate application for each position for which you are applying
  • You may attach a resume to your application, but the application must be completed in full (do not say “see resume” on your application form). An incomplete application form may be rejected
  • Some positions require a Supplemental Questionnaire. Please check the job posting closely to see if one is required for the position for which you are applying
  • The job posting states the final filing date for each position, unless “Continuous” or “Open Until Filled” is indicated. To be considered, your completed application form and other requested forms and documents must be received in the Human Resources office by 4 pm on the final filing date, unless stated otherwise on the job posting
  • It is METRO’s policy to maintain fair and equitable hiring procedures. Qualified candidates may be invited to written, practical, oral and/or other tests as deemed appropriate by the Human Resources Department. See the Application Procedure in the job posting
  • You will be notified by email regarding the status of your application, as soon as possible after the final filing date. Makes sure that we have your most up to date email address on file.
  • All forms submitted to our Human Resources department become the property of METRO. Copies are not available
  • Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee that a candidate will be invited for an examination or interview. Our Human Resources department reserves the right to limit the number of candidates to those most qualified for the position, as determined by METRO staff

Driving Record

If the job recruitment flier states that a motor vehicle record is required, please note the following:

  • A current motor vehicle license is required.
  • Current METRO employees on the pull-notice program need not submit a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) driving record.
  • Applicants who have resided in California less than 10 years must obtain their driving record’s equivalent to the CA K-4 from their previous state(s) of residence.
  • The K-4 motor vehicle record submitted to the Human Resources Department must be the original from the DMV. The record can be obtained from any DMV office.
  • The motor vehicle record must be dated during the recruitment period of the position to which you are applying and must be submitted with the completed application.
  • Applications received without the original K-4 driving record will not be considered.

Safe driving criteria are used to determine if an applicant will be considered for further processing. The violations that may disqualify an applicant include, but are not limited to the following:

Convictions within the last ten (10) years involving:

  • Driving under the influence of any substance, including drugs and alcohol
  • Hit and run or reckless driving

Convictions within the last five (5) years involving:

  • More than one vehicle accident in which the applicant was found most at fault
  • More than one moving violation (including driving while license suspended or revoked)
  • More than one license suspension

If you move or change phone numbers, be sure to update your application form as soon as possible by notifying the Human Resources department at (831) 423-5582; TDD 711 or metrohr@scmtd.com.

Examination

Some recruitments may include one or more exams. You must pass each exam before qualifying to take the next exam. Your final score from the exam(s) determines your rank on the eligible list.

Screening

Applications and supplemental questions are competitively screened based on the employment standards of the job.

Oral Exam

Each candidate is scheduled to be interviewed at a specific time on one day. A 3-4-member panel of experts in the field serves as oral exam raters, who will interview and rate each candidate. The same set of established job-related questions are asked of each candidate.

Performance/Practical Exam

This exam allows candidates to demonstrate skills or abilities that are required to perform the job. This type of exam may use role-playing, use of tools and equipment, and typing tests.

Selection

Eligible List

The names of applicants who have passed all stages of the testing process are placed on an eligible list for the position in rank order, as determined by the final exam score. The eligible list is good for six months and may be extended to one year. When a vacancy occurs, a list of names in rank order is sent to the hiring department for selection interviews.

Selection Interview

When a job vacancy occurs, the hiring department will fill the vacancy by reviewing the applications and interviewing candidates in rank order of the eligible list. Departments conduct the selection interviews and make the final hiring decision. You will be informed of the results of the interview by mail or phone.

Appointment

Once a candidate has been selected a job offer is made contingent upon passing a medical exam and a series of other pre-employment exams which may include fingerprinting, work performance, physical exam, proof of employment eligibility, drug testing and verification of prior D.O.T. drug and alcohol testing.

Santa Cruz METRO Uses E-Verify

After a job candidate is chosen, Santa Cruz METRO uses E-Verify to verify the eligibility status to work in the United States. Santa Cruz METRO adheres to all responsibilities associated with E-Verify.

Questions

For questions regarding the application process, please contact METRO’s Human Resources department at 831-423-5582.

Reasonable Accommodation Request

METRO’s Human Resources department provides reasonable accommodation when applying for a position and/or for the testing process to eligible individuals requesting assistance under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Please contact METRO’s Human Resources department for more information.

Human Resources Department Info

Contact HR

Recruitment Office Business Hours: 8am to 4pm (excluding weekends and holidays)

  • Phone: (831) 423-5582
  • Address: Santa Cruz METRO Administrative Offices: ATTN: Human Resources, 110 Vernon Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

HR Links

Wage & Salary Scales

Reference Board Agenda 08/11/2023

Reference Board Agenda 08/11/2023

Reference Board Agenda 08/23/2024

Reference Board Agenda 08/23/2024

Reference Board Agenda  09/27/2024

Reference Board Agenda 03/22/2024

Labor Agreements

Internal Applicants

To access your personal information, training opportunities, policies and other employment information, log in to your Workday account.

         SMART Fixed Route Wage Scale effective 06/23/2022 

         SMART Fixed Route Wage Scale effective 06/24/2021

         SMART Fixed Route Wage Scale effective 06/25/2020

         SMART Fixed Route Wage Scale effective 06/27/2019

         Tentative Agreement regarding article 5.02 and 5.04 including pay scales 06/27/2019 to 6/24/21 and longevity calculations

         Reference Board Special Agenda 08/23/2019 Item 8

         Extension of Contract Tentative Agreement including Pay Scale 07/01/2015 to 06/30/2016

        Reference Board Agenda 06/27/2014 Item 17

         Extension of Contract Tentative Agreement including Pay Scale 07/01/2015 to 06/30/2018

         Reference Board Agenda 08/14/2015 Item 12

         Extension of Contract 07/01/2016 to 06/30/2019

         UTU Fixed Route Wage Scale Effective 06/15/2017

         UTU Fixed Route Wage Scale Effective 06/14/2018

         UTU Fixed Route Wage Scale Effective 06/13/2019

         Reference Board Agenda 06/24/16 Item 12

         SMART Paratransit Wage Scale effective 06/22/2023       Reference Board Agenda 08/11/2023

         SMART Paratransit Wage Scale effective 06/23/2022

         SMART Paratransit Wage Scale effective 06/25/2020

         SMART Paratransit Wage Scale effective 06/24/2020

         SMART Paratransit Wage Scale effective 06/27/2019

         Tentative Agreement regarding article 5.03C and 5.04 including pay scales 06/27/2019 to 6/24/21 and longevity calculations

         Extension of Contract Tentative Agreement including Pay Scale 07/01/2015 to 06/30/2016

         Reference Board Agenda 06/27/2014 Item 18

         Extension of Contract Tentative Agreement including Pay Scale 07/01/2015 to 06/30/2018

         Reference Board Agenda 08/14/2015 Item 13

         Extension of Contract 07/01/2016 to 06/30/2019

         UTU ParaCruz Wage Scale Effective 06/15/2017

         UTU ParaCruz Wage Scale Effective 06/14/2018

         UTU ParaCruz Wage Scale Effective 06/13/2019

         Reference Board Agenda 06/24/2016 Item 11

         Extension of Contract Tentative Agreement 07/01/2015 to 03/30/2016

         Reference Board Agenda 06/27/2014 Item 19

         Extension of Contract Tentative Agreement 12/31/2015 to 06/30/2018

         Reference Board Agenda 12/21/2015 Item 4

        SEIU Local 521 Wage Scale Effective 06/19/2025     Reference Board Agenda 08/23/2024

        SEIU Local 521 Wage Scale effective 06/20/2024    Reference Board Agenda 08/23/2024

        SEIU Local 521 Wage Scale effective 06/22/2023     Reference Board Agenda 12/15/2023

        SEIU Local 521 Wage Scale effective 06/22/2023     Reference Board Agenda 08/11/2023

        SEIU Local 521 Wage Scale effective 09/23/2022

        SEIU Local 521 Wage Scale effective 06/23/2022

        SEIU Local 521 Wage Scale effective 1/28/2022

        SEIU Local 521 Wage Scale effective 6/24/2021   

        SEIU Local 521 Wage Scale effective 6/25/2020

         SEIU Local 521 Wage Scale effective 06/27/2019

         SEA Extension of Contract Wage Scales Effective 08/25/2018

         PSA Extension of Contract Wage Scales Effective 06/14/2018

         VMU Extension of Contract Wage Scales Effective 06/14/2018

         SEA Extension of Contract Wage Scales Effective 08/25/2017       

         PSA Extension of Contract Wage Scales Effective 06/15/2017

         VMU Extension of Contract Wage Scales Effective 06/15/2017

          SEIU Wage Scale BOD 1.28.2022

         Transfer of Positions from UTU to SEIU including new salary schedule Effective 06/30/2016

          Reference Board Agenda 06/24/2016 Item 17

  • Management

         Management Compensation Policy effective 8/30/2021

         Management Compensation Plan effective 08/14/15 – Reference Borad Agenda 01/22/2016

          Management Wage Scale effective 06/15/2017

          Management Wage Scale effective 06/14/2018

          Management Wage Scale effective 6/14/2018 approved 02.22.19

          Reference Board Agenda 02/22/2019 Item 14 C

          Management Compensation Plan effective 09/09/2016 Board Adopted 08/26/2016

          Management Wage Scale effective 6/14/2018  Reference Board Agend 02/22/2019

          Management Wage Scale effective 6/24/2021

          Management Wage Scale effective 6/24/2021

          Management Wage Scale effective 06/23/2022

          Management Wage Scale effective 06/23/2022

          Management Wage Scale effective 06/22/2023  Reference Board Agenda 08/11/2023

          Management Wage Scale effective 06/22/2023 Reference Board Agenda 08/11/2023

          Management Wage Scale effective 06/22/2023  Reference Board Agenda 12/15/2023

          Management Wage Scale effective 06/22/2023 Reference Board Agenda  02/23/2024

          Management Wage Scale effective 06/22/2023  Reference Board Agenda  05/17/2024

          Management Wage Scale effective 06/20/2024 Reference Board Agenda  05/17/2024

          Management Wage Scale effective 06/19/2025  Reference Board Agenda  05/17/2024

          Management Wage Scale effective FY25  Reference Board Agenda  09/27/2024

          Management Wage Scale effective FY26 Reference Board Agenda  09/27/2024

          Management Wage Scale effective FY25

          CEO’s wage scale – effective 3/25/2022

          Revised as of July 06, 2022

          Reference Board Agenda 05/20/2022

          CEO’s wage scale

          Reference Board Agenda 08/25/2023

          CEO’s Wage Scale

          Reference Board Agenda 03/22/2024