Transit Operator Jobs

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Learn more about the Transit Operator hiring process, job qualifications, requirements and what it takes to succeed.

Drive your career to places you might never have imagined possible by becoming part of the Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) team. As a Transit Operator you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that career advancement and rewards are well within your reach.

Before You Apply

Review the qualifications and requirements carefully before submitting your application. Transit Operators at ETS may operate a variety of vehicles. These include 40' or 60' conventional buses, 30' On Demand Transit vehicles, electric buses, articulated buses and Dedicated Accessible Transit Service (DATS) vehicles. To become a Light Rail Transit (LRT) Operator, you need six months of experience as a transit operator and additional training.

Education and Experience

For Transit Operator

Grade twelve (12) or GED. If education is from outside of Canada, you must obtain a Canadian equivalency OR an equivalent combination of training and experience (2 years of professional driving experience with passengers and a minimum of 2 years of experience in the customer service field that includes dealing with the public face-to-face)
Demonstrated success dealing with the public in a position that requires excellent interpersonal, problem-solving, conflict resolution and independent decision-making skills.

LRT Operator

To become an LRT Operator, you must first complete a 6-month probationary period as a Transit (Bus) Operator. There are two ways to become an LRT Operator:

Sign up for an LRT shift during a major signup period.
Add your name to the list of interested operators to receive training without signing up for a shift.

LRT Operator training lasts 31 working days and is scheduled based on signed shifts, seniority, and departmental needs.

DATS Operator

Upon completing the regular Transit Operator training program, Operators can then sign up for a DATS shift during a major signup period. The training, scheduled for all operators who sign up for a DATS shift, will last 15 working days.

Licence Requirements

Valid Alberta Class 5 driver's licence (or higher) or provincial equivalent (non-probationary and non-graduated)
- Applicants must have held a valid licence for the last 5 consecutive years
MUST provide a minimum 5-year Commercial Driver's Abstract with the job application meeting all of the following criteria:
- No more than 3 demerits (or equivalent). (The Defensive Driving course to reduce demerits is not recognized by ETS.)
- No more than 1 moving violation/conviction within the last five years.
- No past or pending license suspensions or Criminal Code suspensions or convictions within the last 5 years.
- Non-driving related suspensions of registry services, if indicated, must show a reinstatement date.

Pre-Hire Employment Requirements

Possession of an Alberta Air Brake Endorsement and Alberta Class 2 Knowledge/Road Test Permit prior to training.

Hiring Process

ETS’s hiring process involves multiple steps for Transit Operators and Community Service Operators. Some steps may incur a cost to you, such as a police check, licence upgrade, driver’s abstract and an air brake certification.

Hiring Process Steps

Submitting Your Application

View postings online through the City of Edmonton Careers website.

You can create job alerts to receive a notification when a Transit Operator or Community Service Operator position is posted online. For more information, refer to the Job Application Tips.

Application Screening

The Talent Acquisition Team will review your application. Only candidates being considered for the assessment stages will be contacted by email. Check your email junk/spam folder regularly as that is our only form of communication.

Failure to answer all of the required questions will result in an incomplete application, which will remove you from the applicant pool for consideration.

Be sure to include clear photos of your driver's licence and driver's abstracts that have been obtained within 30 days of your application. All out-of-country abstracts must be attached at the time of submission.

Your name must match all government identification (licence and passport). If they are different, you should consider making them all the same. Failure to do so may result in withdrawal of your application.

Required Assessments

Virtual Skills Assessment

Applicants will receive a link to schedule a 15 minute meeting. This meeting is an opportunity for us to learn more about your communication and problem solving skills, which are key to your success in this role. During this meeting, we will present two scenarios to see how you would approach situations a Transit Operator may encounter.

Map Reading Assessment

Candidates will be assessed on their map-reading ability. You will receive a link in your email to access the assessment and will have 72 hours to complete it from the date/time it was sent out.

Here are a few tips to help you prepare:

Understand the signs and symbols used on a paper map
Familiarize yourself with local landmarks and directions
Practice planning driving routes

STRADA Assessment

Applicants will receive an email link to complete an online assessment. The questions in the assessment are based on the competencies required to be successful in the role of transit operator. Applicants will have 72 hours to complete the assessment from the date/time it was sent out.

Interview

An interview panel will conduct a competency-based interview. Competencies measured through this process may include communication, customer service, problem-solving, safety, conflict resolution, the ability to serve diverse needs and abilities, and the ability to deal with emergency situations.

Tips on how to prepare for the interview

If you successfully pass the interview, you will move to the next steps, which include:

Police Information Check, including a vulnerable sector check satisfactory to the City of Edmonton. Applicants are responsible for the cost of this check.
Medical/ Functional Abilities Assessment Evaluation (FARE): Candidates must be tested in Edmonton in person, even if they live outside of the city/province. The cost of this test will be covered by ETS.

Training Program

A successful candidate will be required to complete the ETS training program. The training program is designed to help new employees become Transit Operators. ETS covers the cost of training to upgrade a Class 5, 4, or 3 driver's license to a Class 2, including the first exam fee. Any subsequent road exam fees require approval from ETS, and if approved, are the trainee's responsibility.

Transit Operator Positions

Many operators wouldn’t trade their job for anything in the world; the great reputation for service that ETS enjoys is built on it.

Transit Operator
Transit Operator

Testimonials

I began working for Edmonton Transit Services in March of 2001 as a Conventional Transit Operator. I learned of the opportunity through one of my friends who dropped off an application for me, and I applied the next day. I thought it would be an awesome job for me since I loved to drive. After a few years as an Operator, I applied for a Dispatcher position which allowed me to change my focus from serving the public to communication and relationship building so I could support my co-workers. Dispatchers make the system run and it was great being in the hub of what makes ETS happen. I took a very natural step a few years later and became a Supervisor where I have spent the last 11 years of my career. It has been a great place to grow and it is exciting to see so many more women active within the ETS community on committees, in relief positions and leadership roles. I still enjoy working with Operators, Dispatchers, Inspectors and many other areas to make public transit better for our citizens.

— Jo-Ann Rauschenberger, Transit Delivery Supervisor

Jo Ann at work

In addition to working with a very nice team of drivers, you can easily find a shift to suit your lifestyle. The wages and benefits are very good, too.

— Denise Meyer, Community Service Operator

What defines the City of Edmonton as an employer? I would say equal opportunity, career advancement and a self-starter attitude. You’re encouraged to learn about different cultures and work as a team. And the backgrounds of the people who work here are very diverse.

— Harpreet Singh, DATS Operator

I like meeting new people, as well as building a rapport with the regulars you see on your route every day. In some cases, you might be the first person they talk to that morning. When you make someone smile, that makes you feel good.

— Dwayne Nemlander, Transit Operator

Job Classification Update

All new Transit Operators will complete a 29-day training program. This program will certify them to operate a diverse range of ETS vehicles, including conventional transit buses, Dedicated Accessible Transit Service (DATS) vehicles, articulated buses, electric buses and community buses. This change follows the June 2025 collective agreement between the Operator positions into a single Transit Operator classification.

Employees will also have the chance to receive additional training for operating Light Rail Transit (LRT) vehicles.

Contact Us

For general information about a career with ETS

Email	etsrecruitment@edmonton.ca