Career Opportunity

Transit Training Specialist - San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (9136) - (T00038)

Recruitment: REF12966J

Published: November 16, 2023

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal.

About:

This announcement was amended on November 16, 2023 to add clarifying information to the minimum qualifications.  If you have already submitted an application, you do not need to reapply.

This is a Class-Based SFMTA Test conducted in accordance with CSC Rule 410.

The SFMTA, a department of the City and County of San Francisco, oversees Muni (the historic Municipal Railway), parking and traffic, bicycling, walking and taxis. Over one million people get around San Francisco and rely on us to ensure safe and reliable travel.

Our Vision: Excellent transportation choices for San Francisco.

Our Mission: We connect San Francisco through a safe, equitable, and sustainable transportation system.

Application Opening: November 14, 2023
Application Deadline: No earlier than November 29, 2023

Recruitment ID: CBT-9136-T00038

Role description

Under general supervision, the Transit Training Specialist conducts classroom and hands-on road training to new and existing Transit Operators on the safe and efficient operation of revenue vehicles.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties
According to Civil Service Commission Rule 409, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Conducts classroom and hands-on road training/instruction on revenue vehicles including assessing training needs, consulting with departments on specialized training, reviewing industry standards, designing and developing orientation programs, recommending training plans and instructional methodologies, selecting appropriate aids and recommending changes to training evaluation standards and procedures. 
2. Supervises, monitors and instructs trainees’ use of tools and equipment in real and simulated environments in compliance with all appropriate rules and procedures.  
3. Plans, develops and prepares classroom and hands-on training instruction for new Transit Operator trainees, experienced Operators and other San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) staff in the safe and efficient operation of transit vehicles.  The training content includes new Operator training, in-service training, operation of SFMTA public transit vehicles, operating rules and regulations, collision prevention, customer relations, and other public transit-related activities.
4. Prepares trainee/operator evaluation reports and other correspondence in compliance with applicable agency requirements and regulatory guidelines utilizing computer software applications, databases and specialized software applications.
5. Investigates, analyzes and makes determinations on incidents, collisions etc. and implements corrective action plans.
6. Writes and/or revises training lesson plans based on oversight guidelines.  Coordinates, instructs and develops lesson/training plans for new and modified equipment training. 
7. Assesses retraining needs and conducts classroom and on-road/in-vehicle retraining, when necessary.  Rides along with Transit Operators to evaluate and monitor Operator’s operational performance.
8. Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Nature of Work: 
Requires incumbents to work rotating shifts, holidays, nights and weekends; work  outdoors in all weather conditions; stand and/or sit for prolonged periods of time; walk on uneven grounds; may require the performance of different physical activities such as lifting/transporting/operating work-related materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds; pulling poles, manually setting switches on surface streets, resetting retrievers to return disabled transit vehicles to service; assisting in the movement of disabled vehicles when required; and use computer software applications and audio-visual equipment.

How to qualify

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification. Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

The following are required to be possessed as of the filing deadline for applications:

1. Possession of a valid High School Diploma, GED or California High School Proficiency Certificate; AND
2. Five (5) years of combined full-time verifiable experience with a fixed route agency as a commercial motor vehicle driver/operator and/or a supervisor of commercial motor vehicles drivers/operators; OR
   Two (2) years of full-time verifiable experience with a fixed route agency as a commercial vehicle driver/operator Trainer or Instructor; AND
3. Possession of a valid Class B California Driver License with a valid DMV Medical Examiner’s certificate, Passenger (P) endorsement and no restrictions that prohibit the operation of SFMTA public transit vehicles.

The following must be possessed as of the date that a position is certified to the eligible list and maintained through the date of appointment. These minimum qualifications ensure that hires will possess necessary standards of delivering safe and quality service.

1. No accidents where applicant contributed to the cause (i.e., preventable) in the previous thirty-six (36) months; AND
2. No preventable non-collision safety incidents in the previous twelve (12) months; AND
3. No suspensions in the previous twelve (12) months; AND
4. No Performance Appraisals within the previous twelve (12) months with an overall determination of unsatisfactory performance.

The following will be assessed during the probationary period:

1. Ability to utilize software applications related to the work of the assigned unit; AND
2. Incumbents must obtain Verification of Transit Training (VTT) during the training period.

Notes:

• Candidates licensed in other states who otherwise meet the minimum qualifications may compete in the selection process, but if selected, must obtain the required license within 30 days of moving to California.
• A preventable non-collision safety incident refers to any event that involves unsafe operation of a vehicle.
• All candidates who possess the required education and experience by the filing deadline will be invited to compete in the examination process. When positions are certified to the eligible list, reachable candidates who score high enough in the selection process will be reviewed to ensure that they meet all listed minimum qualifications.
• Employees must maintain the licensure and certification requirements as a condition of employment.
• Experience driving school buses, tour buses and small vans is not considered qualifying experience.

One year of full-time employment is equivalent to 2000 hours. (2000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week.) Any overtime hours that you work above forty (40) hours per week are not included in the automatic calculation to determine full-time employment

Desirable qualifications:  The stated desirable qualifications may be used to identify candidates advancing to the interview process and/or to identify job finalist(s) at the end of the selection process when referred for hiring:

• Experience providing line training to operators of Class A and Class B vehicles 
• Experience planning, developing, and preparing classroom training/instruction, especially to operators of Class A and Class B vehicles 
• Possession of Transit Safety and Security Program (TSSP) Certificate issued by the Transportation Safety Institute 
• Possession of Department of Motor Vehicles Examiner Certification 
• Supervisory experience in a multi-modal (trolley, articulated vehicle, rail) mass transit agency 
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite to generate/prepare training evaluation reports, incident reports or presentations 
• Experience operating light-rail vehicles
• Completion of TSI course “Instructors Course for Transit Trainers”

Verification:  Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.

Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.
 

Selection Procedures: (General Exam Process)
After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:

Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (Weight - Qualifying): Candidates will be required to complete a MQSQ as part of the employment application. This MQSQ is designed to obtain specific information regarding an applicant's experience in relation to the Minimum Qualifications (MQ) for this position. The MQSQ will be used to evaluate if the applicant possesses the required minimum qualifications.

Written Multiple Choice Examination (Weight - 100%): Candidates deemed eligible and admitted to the examination process will be administered a written multiple-choice test designed to measure knowledge, skills and abilities in job-related areas that may include but not be limited to: Knowledge of fixed-route/guideways, schedules, associated equipment and safety procedures; applicable safety, environmental, federal, state, and local laws, policies, procedures, rules and regulations; Ability to schedule, monitor, and evaluate the performance of trainees; effectively and courteously interact using discretion and sound judgement even in difficult and stressful situations.

For your reference, a Multiple-Choice Test Preparation Manual is available on the DHR website: https://sfdhr.org/sites/default/files/FileCenter/Documents/18426-Multiple%20Choice%20Test%20Prep%20Manual.pdf

This is a standardized examination and, therefore, test questions and test answers are not available for public inspection or review. 

Candidates must achieve a passing score on all exam components listed above in order to be placed on the eligible list/score report.

What else should I know?

Eligible List/Score Report: A confidential eligible list of qualifying candidates will be created and used for certification purposes only. A score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection upon request once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this selection process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Director of Transportation or the Civil Service Commission.

The duration of the eligible list/score report resulting from this examination process will be 12 months and may be extended with the approval of the Director of Transportation. 

Medical Examination/Drug Testing:  Candidates who are being considered for appointment for positions may be required to pass a medical examination. Candidates who cannot meet the medical requirement will be placed under waiver until this requirement is met. The medical examination will be administered only to those applicants who are being considered for appointment.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has determined that Class 9136 Transit Training Specialist is a “safety-sensitive” position, under regulations issued by the Federal Transit Administration (49 CFR Part 655). Federal law requires that all transit employees who perform safety-sensitive functions be subject to random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty and follow-up drug and alcohol testing. All applicants for Safety-Sensitive positions shall undergo urine drug testing prior to employment and within 90 days prior to performing Safety-Sensitive functions for the first time. Receipt by the SFMTA of a negative test result is required prior to the employee being placed on the payroll. A positive, adulterated, negative dilute or substituted test will result in a decision not to hire, and the applicant’s name will be removed from the list of eligibles for Safety-Sensitive positions. The SFMTA will not consider hiring any person who tested positive, adulterated, substituted or refused to submit to testing for a minimum of two years following the positive test.

In addition, each applicant who has worked for a Department of Transportation (DOT)-regulated employer(s) within the last two years will be required to sign a consent form, prior to appointment, authorizing SFMTA to obtain information from his/her prior employers concerning his/her drug and alcohol test history. Each applicant will also be required to provide SFMTA with information regarding whether, during the last two years, the applicant tested positive or refused to test on any pre-employment drug or alcohol test administered by an employer to which the applicant applied for, but did not obtain, safety-sensitive transportation work covered by DOT drug and alcohol testing rules. SFMTA will not hire any applicant for a safety-sensitive position who fails to provide this information or fails to provide written consent for the release of information from prior employers.

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights: Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. The correction of clerical errors in an announcement may be posted on the Department of Human Resources website at Careers with purpose | City and County of San Francisco (sf.gov). The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 410.4. Such appeals must be submitted in writing to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency ATTN: Human Resources Examinations and Classification Unit, 1 S Van Ness Avenue, 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103-5413 by close of business on the 5th business day following the issuance date of this examination announcement. Information concerning other Civil Service Commission Rules involving announcements, applications and examination policies, including applicant appeal rights, can be found on the Civil Service Commission website at http://sfgov.org/civilservice/rules.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About The Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement
• SFMTA Employee Wellness Program

How to Apply: Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process.
1. Visit Careers with Purpose | City and County of San Francisco (sf.gov)
2. Type "9136" in to the "Search by class or keyword" field.
3. Click the link to open the Job Announcement.
4. Select the “Apply Now” button and follow instructions on the screen.

Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@careers.sf.gov, @sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

Exam Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding the Exam Process, please contact the exam analyst, Angela.Ng@sfmta.com.

AN | CBT-9136-T00038 | Combined Promotive and Entrance

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.