BUS OPERATOR FILING OPEN UNTIL FEB. 26

$18 Hourly Pay To Start; 30 Hires a Month; No Residency Rule But Must Pass April 19 Test

Filing is open for an exam leading to Bus Operator jobs in New York City Transit, the city's testing department said.

The starting salary is $18.85 an hour. Pay increases to $26.92 hourly after three years on the job. The multiple-choice exam is scheduled for April 19. Applications must be postmarked by Feb. 26.

No Experience Needed

There is no education or experience requirement for the Bus Operator position. NYC Transit employs approximately 6,000 Bus Operators and hires roughly 30 new drivers each month, according to Richard Chazen, the agency's Exam Administration Manager.

To qualify, candidates must have a valid New York State driver's license for at least three years prior to appointment. Persons who have serious moving violations, license suspensions, or an accident record may be disqualified. Candidates also must have a Class B commercial driver's license with a passenger endorsement with no restrictions, or a learner's permit for that specialized license.

Appointees must meet specified medical requirements, and they need to pass a drug-screening. There is no residency standard.

The multiple-choice exam will test candidates' knowledge of rules of the road, safe driving, and understanding schedules and bulletins. The test will also assess candidates' abilities to follow procedures in the event of accidents, injuries, or crimes. The passing score is 70 percent.

Bus Operators ensure that riders pay the required fare, issue and collect transfers, and look out for the safety of passengers. They also must file reports concerning revenues, accidents, faulty equipment, and unusual occurrences.

New hires will be required to complete a six-week training program in bus operation.

Filing is also now open for the following open-competitive jobs: Probation Officer, Transit Electrical Helper, and Traffic Enforcement Agent.

The Department of Citywide Administrative Services is also now accepting applications for the three promotion titles: Maintenance Supervisor (Electronic Equipment), Police Officer, and Supervising Police Communications Technician.

Further information and copies of the exam notices can be obtained on-line at www.nyc.gov/dcas, or by writing the DCAS Application Center, 18 Washington St., New York, N.Y., 10004.