jobs

posted: 03/31/2026

Categories: Transportation

Central IL Public Transit Driver

The driver of a Central Illinois Public Transit vehicle which serves the general public is expected to exercise extreme care to ensure the safety of the customers and the vehicles.

Responsible for continuous use of judgment related to the demand/response nature of the Central Illinois Public Transit. The driver will follow all rules and regulations governing vehicle maintenance and operations in accordance with such standards as the Federal Transit Administration, Secretary of State, the Illinois Department of Transportation and C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation prescribe.

A key responsibility is to project enthusiasm about Central Illinois Public Transit and to be an effective representative of C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation.

Duties include:

• Provide safe transportation by:
  • Obeying all traffic laws
  • Observing safety regulations
  • Maintaining a safe driving record
• Perform and record the results of each preventative maintenance review daily, pre and post driving and report all defects immediately.
• Perform and record information for billing purposes.
• Refrain from operating the vehicle to transport customers when malfunctions and/or defects in equipment or in any vehicle or device which could threaten safe operating performance is detected, until such defect (s) is (are) corrected.
• Follow established procedures working to develop and expand Central Illinois Public Transit
• Report all accidents and complete required reports immediately; respond to passenger well-being first.
• Must, if necessary assist customers on and off the vehicle; be knowledgeable of passenger assistance techniques and skills; must be able to secure all mobility devices
• Transport people of all ages.
• Maintain discipline on the vehicle and report any disciplinary problems to the supervisor.
• Exercise responsible leadership.
• Become acquainted with and abide by all new rulings and laws affecting driver job responsibilities and performance.
• Demonstrate mature judgment, capability and professional conduct.
• Present a neat, clean appearance; attire should be appropriate for drivers’ duties.
• Refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and chewing tobacco while in the vehicle.
• Refrain from using any transit vehicle for personal use.
• Be knowledgeable of proper placement of warning devices when vehicle is disabled or stopped for any reason.
• Use seat belt when vehicle is being operated.
• Operate vehicle only when everyone is seated and carry-on items are secure.
• Know how to evacuate passengers safely and conduct periodic verbal and /or physical emergency evacuation drills with passengers.
• Check daily, first aid kit and fire extinguisher to assure readiness.
• Know how to extinguish fire.
• Know exact location of nearest emergency facilities within or near area served.
• Allow only the number of customers for which the vehicle was designed and for which permanent seats are provided.
• Attend all trainings; must complete all required coursework.
• Demonstrate proper caution before crossing railroad tracks, stop, listen for train signal and look in both directions before proceeding across the tracks using warning/hazard lights prior to RR.
• Exercise extreme caution when operating in hazardous conditions such as snow, ice, fog, smoke, dust, rain or any other condition which adversely affect visibility and /or traction and must reduce speed accordingly.
• Be aware of physical/mental/emotional condition of customers.
• Shall never resort to physical, verbal, or emotional abuse of a customer regardless of provocation.
• Will comply with all drug and alcohol testing procedures.
• Will drive in all counties within the service area as requested.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications include:

• High School or General Equivalency Diploma or experience which has led to the requisite skills and knowledge needed to perform the above duties.
• Sound physical and mental condition: demonstrates emotional maturity and control
• Must satisfy pre-employment requirements: clear criminal background check, drug screen and physical examination.
• Satisfactory annual IDOT physical examination that will certify driver physical fitness with negative drug test results.
• Current valid Class D Drivers license with appropriate designations and with an unblemished motor vehicle report history for the previous three years.
• Must be 21 years of age.
• CPR and First Aid certification or be willing to secure these within six months of employment with recertification as required.
• Must support the mission and goals of C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation.
• Must have reliable transportation.

Essential Functions include:

• Object Manipulation
  • Opening doors, raising vehicle hood for maintenance, moving packages up to 40 pounds, pushing occupied wheelchairs, securing wheelchairs and mobility devices to the floor of the vehicles
• Sensory and Cognitive Abilities
  • Must have good vision and hearing, must read maps and street signs, read and interpret emergency and warning signs
  • Must communicate with passengers regarding usual and emergency instructions
• Physical Demands
  • Must sit for long intervals to drive, must get up and down frequently to assist passengers
  • Must be able to bend and squat. Must be able to squat for 2 minutes to secure wheelchairs and to conduct safety and maintenance procedures.
  • Must be able to step up on an 13 inch step and walk up and down four eight inch steps.
  • Must be able to lift 40 lbs floor to waist, 10 lbs floor to shoulder, 10 lbs waist to shoulder, and 10 lbs above shoulder. Must be able to carry 40 lbs 50 feet.
  • Must be able to push an occupied wheelchair 50 feet and drag 200 lbs 50 feet in an emergency situation.
• Training and Certification
  • Must acquire a Class C license [CDL] with passenger endorsement within one year of employment and maintain the license
  • Must hold a CPR and First Aid certification, pass Illinois Department of Transportation drug and physical examination including auditory testing; must meet fitness screening standards.
  • Must maintain a C average on all written tests and/or quizzes; i.e. Emergency Procedures, Passenger Assistance, Defensive Driving, and First Aid/CPR in order to perform essential job functions.
• Environmental Demands
  • Work in summer heat and winter cold, rain, in and out of weather conditions 90% of the time

Pay: $17.53 per hour

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Health insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• Health savings account
• Dental insurance
• Paid sick time
• Life insurance
• Paid holidays

Employment applications must be sent to:
C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation
P.O. Box 928, Effingham, IL 62401
Attention: Personnel Department

OR

Apply online via Indeed.

Applications are available via agency website at www.cefseoc.org

Equal Opportunity Employer