Training and Safety Instructor

Marketing Statement:

Helping people grow is one of the most meaningful parts of any career. Teaching, guiding, and supporting others as they build confidence and work toward their goals is at the heart of what we do. If you are inspired by developing people and strengthening a culture of safety, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Office of Bus Transportation Training has an opportunity designed for you.

We are seeking dedicated Training and Safety Instructors who are passionate about teaching and committed to developing the next generation of Metrobus Operators. In this role, you will use your expertise to deliver high-quality instruction, reinforce safety standards, and support the personal and professional growth of every learner who enters your classroom. You will strengthen the skills you already have while expanding your leadership, coaching, and technical abilities through hands-on training and real-world application.

The ideal candidate brings a positive attitude and a genuine desire to help others succeed. Strong communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to learn and apply new information are essential. You will collaborate closely with a team that values professionalism, teamwork, and continuous improvement. You will also leverage modern training tools and technology to create an engaging learning environment that prepares Operators to deliver safe, reliable service across the Washington Metropolitan Area.

If you are ready to make a meaningful impact and help shape the future of Metrobus operations, we encourage you to apply today!

The Training and Safety Instructor is a responsible the delivery of technical bus transportation and equipment training and for instructing and evaluating the performance of Bus employees and students. The employee instructs student operators and mechanics in both classroom and practical (on-street) environments through all phases of the Bus Training Program. In addition to the technical operator training, the Training and Safety Instructor trains division personnel on new, modified or existing bus routes, bus fare structure, various fare media and zones, as well as the operation of various systems/subsystems (e.g. electronic registering Farebox, wheelchair lift, destination signs, voice annunciator systems).

Principal Job Duties

• Assesses training needs through surveys, interviews, or consultations. Communicates frequently with supervisors to assess training needs and confirm scheduled trainings. Assists Supervisors in progress or exit (termination) interviews during the training program.
• Attends meetings or seminars to obtain information for use in training programs or to inform management of training program status.
• Schedules training sessions based on availability of classrooms, equipment, or instructors.
• Develops and prepares training courses and lesson plans and conducts both classroom and in-vehicle bus operation instruction.
• Conducts technical, compliance, and mandatory training courses. Designs and administers obstacle courses to trainees. Observes, evaluates and instructs drivers on obstacle course.
• Coordinates and conducts Commercial Driver's License (CDL) training and testing. Requalifies operators in refresher and remedial (accident) training.
• Instructs and qualifies operators on new routes, route changes and new, modified, or emergency equipment.
• Calculates and administers trainee grades on assessments. Posts trainees' grades through ELM. Evaluates student progress in all operator training programs, to include the initial Bus Operator and Bus Maintenance Training Programs for No Passenger training, Refresher and Remedial training.
• Conducts student/employee evaluations according to performance standards. Recommends progress actions for student operators and mechanics to include dismissal or disqualification. Delivers progress coaching.
• Evaluates operating lines for hazardous conditions. Evaluates students' progress under the Line Platform Instructors for Passenger training phase.
• Conducts mandatory and compliance training for various Bus Transportation business partners (e.g., BOCC Specialists, Street Operations personnel).
• Mentors employees post-training and monitors their work to address potential issues. Reviews driver performance for adherence to standards.
• Prepares weekly and periodic reports and memoranda as necessary. Assists in gathering performance management data for BTRA team, to include productivity, student driving time, COL pass/fail rates. Provides constructive feedback to operators. Provides follow-up conversations and coaching with operators involved in incidents.
• Qualifies maintenance employees in operation of buses, COL, and other industrial systems/equipment.
• Reviews videos of collisions using the drive-cam footage. Takes appropriate action to terminate operators who fail to achieve satisfactory progress.

Other Duties

• Participates in the interview, and selection process for new Line Platform and Temporary Training Instructors. Performs operational tests for operators with prolonged absences to determine if they are competent to return to assignments (return-to-duty test trips).
• Provides guidance on maintaining mental and physical health (e.g., ergonomics, fatigue, etc.).
• Frequently serves as subject matter experts for various stakeholders within WMATA for arbitrations, task forces, committees, etc.
• Updates professional knowledge as required and recommended.
• Conducts interviews and assists in the selection process for new Bus Operator Candidates entering the initial training program.
• Serves as safety reinforcement agents for special events or emergency management protocol (e.g., severe weather, service disruption/modification, regional events impacting service routes).
• Maintains and promotes awareness and accountability with safety policies and procedures while performing job functions. Promotes a positive safety culture and encourages reporting of safety concerns consistent with our Agency Safety Plan, other regulatory requirements within the Safety Management System and just culture principles.

The functions listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of transporting, handling, setting up, and tearing down audio visual equipment.
• Knowledge of bus operations, public road and safety procedures.
• Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods, including alternative ways to inform via written, oral, and visual media.
• Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Knowledge of principles, procedures, practices, and strategies for personnel recruitment, sourcing, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
• Knowledge of WMATA's strategy, services, infrastructures, and operational plans.
• Knowledge of human behavior and performance, individual differences in ability, personality, and interests, learning and motivation, and psychological research methods.
• Knowledge of public transportation policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of records storage, retrieval, transfer, delivery, and disposition.
• Knowledge of relevant state, local, and federal regulations.
• Knowledge of transportation safety and maintenance rules and regulations.

Skills

• Active Learning & Listening skills in understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem solving and decision making.
• Analytical & Critical Thinking skills in analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
• Communication & Customer Service skills in communicating effectively at all levels of the organization, both orally and in writing, and in providing customer and personal services
• Skilled in using a personal computer to perform functions such as accessing the internet; email writing, retrieval, and management; creating and maintaining spreadsheets; presentations; graphics; databases; and word processing documents.
• Skilled in operating a motor vehicle.
• Instructional Methods skills in selecting and using instructional methods that are · appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
• Skill in organizing and prioritizing work, handling multiple responsibilities, and meeting deadlines.
• Skill in using Microsoft applications, including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Skilled in developing and delivering presentations.
• Skill in understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective and professional working relationships with peers, team members, clients, and strategic partners.
• Skilled in preparing records and reports using automation and statistical tools, such as personal computers and data management/analysis software.
• Social Perceptiveness: Skill in being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Skilled in monitoring and assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Skilled in defining an organization's strategy or direction and making decisions on allocating resources to pursue this strategy.
• Skilled in supervising and managing others, including motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and identifying the best people for the job.

Abilities

• Ability to accept criticism and deal calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
• Ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
• Ability to apply general rules to specific problems to come up with logical answers.
• Ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Ability to correctly follow a rule or set of rules in order to arrange things or actions in a certain order.
• Ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, including recognizing there is a problem.
• Ability to read and understand information and ideas, use words and sentences presented in writing so others will understand

Machine, Tools, Equipment, Software, Hardware Required

• Document management software
• E-mail software
• Graphics or photo imaging software
• Internet browser software
• AV Equipment
• Motor vehicles
• Personal computers
• Radio Communication Equipment
• Bus Operations vehicles and on-board equipment
• Safety and ADA equipment
• Emergency management equipment (fire extinguisher, eyewash)

Supervisory Responsibility

Minimum Education

• Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate

Minimum Experience

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible bus operations experience with demonstrated safe operation of vehicles with no preventable accidents.
• Previous experience in developing and presenting bus operator training or experience as an instructor in a related field.

Minimum Certification/Licensure

• A valid driver's license issued from jurisdiction of residence
• Possession of a valid Class A or B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) without an "L" restriction, and with passenger endorsements.
• Driving record must reflect no more than two (2) points, no more than one (1) moving violation and no suspension or revocation due to moving violations within the last three (3) years.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in Training, Instructional Design or related field
• Some supervisory experience or experience guiding the work of others