Class Code: P0203
FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Assistant Safety and Training Coordinator

Bargaining Unit: PSA

DEFINITION:

Under direction of the Safety and Training Coordinator, the Assistant Safety and Training Coordinator performs technical and instructional duties related to training and re-training Bus Operators and other Santa Cruz METRO staff in the proper and safe operation of transit buses and other Santa Cruz METRO vehicles in accordance with Federal, State and local laws as well Santa Cruz METRO policies, procedures and labor agreements; assists in the development of curriculum, lesson plans, and training/reference materials; performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

Assistant Safety and Training Coordinator is a supervisory level class in the series.  An incumbent in this class performs a limited range of delivering required training programs for bus operators and other Santa Cruz METRO staff, performs other technical administrative duties while learning to perform the full scope of the Safety and Training Coordinator level work.  This class is distinguished from the Safety and Training Coordinator position because an incumbent in the latter class performs the full scope of Safety and Training Coordinator level of planning, developing, and coordinating the delivery of required training programs for bus operators and other Santa Cruz METRO staff.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The duties listed below represent the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is related or a logical assignment to this class.

  • Plans, coordinates and conducts training and re-training programs for Bus Operators and may assist in other department trainings; 
  • Maintains, updates, and compiles in accordance with Federal and State mandated bus operator programs and Santa Cruz METRO policies, procedures, and labor agreements.  
  • Assists with developing  of and updating curriculum, lesson plans, training schedules and reference materials for Bus Operators, Transit Supervisors, and other Santa Cruz METRO employees; as needed, in conformance with state and federal guidelines and regulations, and with Santa Cruz METRO policies and procedures; 
  • Provides support to train and coordinate with Transit Supervisors who assist with training and retraining of Bus Operators and other Santa Cruz METRO employees.
  • Performs ride checks during new Operator probation periods and in-service checks for veteran Operators; 
  • Provides retraining of qualified line instructors as needed; acts as the designated examiner in the testing and certification of Operators.
  • Assists the Operations Manager with implementing the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Employer Testing Program, including maintenance of examiner credentials; 
  • Assists with administering the DMV “pull program” by ensuring that all employees meet licensing requirements.  
  • Coordinates activities with Transit Supervisors who are certified to perform DMV exams; maintain related records; participates in CHP/DMV and other audits. 
  • Maintains accurate training records and documentation, including records of driver training hours, Verification of Transit Training (VTT) certification, and bus operator training certification.
  • Provides input to the evaluation and observes driving skills of new Operators and evaluates Trainee Operators
  • Provides recommendations regarding Operator retention based on training information; 
  • Participates in direct observations of Operator skills as required; 
  • Recommends corrective action or re-training as appropriate; 
  • Provides input on the selection of new Bus Operators as requested.  
  • May performs retraining with fully qualified Bus Operators/Line Instructors as directed or needed.  
  • Participates in selection of new bus operators.  
  • Provides period counseling and evaluations. 
  • Acts as the designated examiner in the testing and certification of Bus Operators.  
  • Makes recommendations regarding new bus operator retention based on training information. 
  • Participates in special projects.     
  • Participates in seminars and workshops as required in relations to the duties and functions of the position.
  • Provides information to employees and the public. 
  • Operates standard office equipment; utilizes computer software in performing job tasks.  
  • Drives and Operates Santa Cruz METRO vehicles to perform assignments. 
  • Performs related work as required
  • Responsible for the implementation of ongoing line-instruction program, including selection, training, and evaluation of the line instructor regarding monetary, grading, reporting, and program compliance criteria.
  • Conducts verification of transit training (VTT) classes as required and provides customized trainings as required by Operations Manager, Assistant Operations Manager, or Maintenance Manager.
  • Participates in development, revision and update of incident and accident investigation procedures and safety procedures
  • Maintains record of Santa Cruz METRO accidents; prepares summary reports of accidents; and coordinates the accident review process
  • Participates in the planning, organizing, and support of internal and external training activities.
  • Provides training in escalated or emergency situations, as assigned.
  • Reviews pull-notices and takes appropriate action when required.
  • Upon request, provides technical training assistance, pull- notice review for the paratransit department.
  • Enforces Santa Cruz METRO rules, policies, and procedures; applies provisions of Labor Agreements within the scope of duties.
  • May represent Santa Cruz METRO at disciplinary hearing, legal proceedings, and other meetings, as required
  • Under the direction of the Safety and Training Coordinator, incorporates information into training curriculum on new equipment, and changes in existing equipment.
  • Communicates with orally with and in writing with Operations and other departments and agencies.
  • May serve as a liaison with local emergency responders, such as police and fire, by providing information and orientation regarding Santa Cruz METRO vehicle fleet, fuels utilized, emergency access, and other public safety related information.
  • May participate in committees and projects teams, may make recommendations related to safety, training, licensing requirements, accident investigations, and other position related topics as assigned; 
  • Serves as hazardous materials trainer for the Operations department.
  • May assist with the development of departmental policies, procedures, programs, and budget on safety related issues in cooperation with the Safety, Security, and Risk Department.
  • May assist in conducting surveys of other organizations to compile, and analyze data, prepare report and perform calculations, as needed.
  • Selects, supervises, trains, motivates, assigns, evaluates, counsels, and disciplines staff.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

Knowledge of:

  • Federal, State, and local laws and regulations regarding transit buses, including DMV and Federal Highway Administration laws pertaining to bus operator training and retraining.  
  • Current teaching theory, methods, and practices, as well as effective curriculum development. 
  • Defensive driving techniques.  
  • Safety and health-related regulations applicable to transit operations. 
  • Modern office practices, procedures, and equipment.
  • Business correspondence, formatting and report writing.       
  • Manual and automated record-keeping and filing systems.
  • Methods of maintaining information in digital or hard copy files.
  • Professional methods of researching, gathering, organizing and reporting data.
  • Methods of prioritizing, planning and organizing work.
  • Advanced time management techniques.
  • Customer service techniques.
  • Intermediate mathematics including rations, percentages, and intermediate statistics.
  • Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
  • The effective use of modern office equipment, personal computers, and applicable standard business software; including audio/visual equipment. 
  • Basic mechanical features of transit buses.
  • Safety and heath related regulations.
  • Motivate, train and evaluate staff
  • Develop and write plans, procedures, reports, forms and test.
  • Conduct field investigations to identify patterns and problems in areas and make recommendations.
  • Principles of supervision, training, and employee development.
  • Procedures of operator’s evaluation, counseling and discipline.

Ability to:

  • Provide transit bus operator training in accordance with Federal, State, and local laws as well as Santa Cruz METRO policies, procedures, and labor agreements. 
  • Read, review and apply laws, regulations and labor contract provisions. 
  • Instruct others in the safe operation of Santa Cruz METRO vehicles and adapt training procedures to the needs of the individual. 
  • Develop and write plans, procedures, reports, forms, and tests. 
  • Adhere to established work schedules and timelines.
  • Work independently using good judgment, tact, and discretion.
  • Balance multiple assignments simultaneously and effectively.
  • Utilize standard office equipment and computer software and learn to use specialized Santa Cruz METRO software if assigned.
  • Maintain confidentiality of materials, records, files, and other privileged information.
  • Communicate clearly and effectively in both oral and written form.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department and with other divisions, departments, agencies, suppliers, vendors, and the public.
  • Assist in the development of course curriculum and lesson plans.
  • Assist in the development and presentation of customized training. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: 

Education, Training and Experience:

Two (2) years course work from an accredited college.

Additional directly related experience beyond the minimum requirements may be substituted for the required education based on the ration of one and a half (1.5) years of experience for each one (1) year of experience for each one (1) year of education.

AND

One (1) year of experience developing and presenting driver safety and training programs, preferably with a public bus transportation system.

OR

Three (3) years of experience as a transit supervisor for a medium to a large agency providing bus transportation, including responsibility for driver training and VTT training. 

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES:

A valid California Class “B” Commercial Driver’s License with a “P” passenger endorsement will be required at the time of appointment and throughout employment.

AND

Verification of Transit Training (VTT), and an acceptable safe driving record/history is required at the time of appointment.

AND

Possession of a California State Bus Driver Training Instructor Certificate from the Department of Education at time of appointment. 

Upon hire, an employee will be required to successfully complete the Department of Transportation (DOT) transit instruction course.

OR

Possession of a Department of Transportation Instructor Credential to teach VTT classes at the time of appointment.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Driving record will be reviewed as part of the application process and throughout employment.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, climb, bend, kneel, and stand; talk and hear; use hands to manipulate, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists.  The employee is regularly required to bend and twist at the neck and occasionally reach overhead.  Work may require lifting up to 50 pounds unaided.   Specific visual abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, the ability to see colors and shades, and the ability to perceive depth.

Mental Demands 

While performing the duties of this job, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; performs detailed work; deals with multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work.

Work Environment: 

The employee typically works in an office environment where the noise level is quiet.  The employee frequently works in a field environment with potential exposure to varied weather conditions, dust, fumes, and hazardous materials and where the noise level is loud.  

OTHER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • Must pass requisite a background check.
  • This position is considered a safety sensitive position and requires participation in Santa Cruz METRO’s drug and alcohol testing program.
  • May occasionally work extended hours or hours outside of the regular schedule.

*Adopted: 12-11-18

*BOD Approved: 08-23-19

*Revised: 00-00-00

*Job Family: Administrative Technical

*Job Series: Safety and Training

*Job Series Level: Supervisor

*Confidential: No