New bus drivers can receive up to a $7,000 hiring bonus
We’ll get right to the point – we want you to work for Kitsap Transit.
Operators are the backbone of our transit system. Our ongoing effort to hire bus drivers is extremely important – the more drivers we hire, the fewer trips we have to cancel and the faster we can return service to pre-pandemic levels.
We want to help get you in the door and behind the wheel. New operators will receive a $7,000 hiring incentive*, disbursed as drivers meet certain training milestones:
Operators will receive $1,500 after obtaining their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) permit and medical examiner’s certificate.
New hires that are already fully licensed will receive $2,000 after completing their second week of training.
Employees will receive a second payment of $2,000 after completing 80 hours of solo driving (driving without direct supervision).
Employees will receive a third payment of $3,000 after completing 2080 hours of solo driving.
No experience is required to apply: You just need to be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, a valid Washington State driver’s license and pass a pre-employment drug test and criminal background check.
Increased wages for operators
Following the ratification of a contract extension with ATU Local 587 this summer, Kitsap Transit increased wages for Routed and ACCESS operators by 3.0% in 2021, 4.5% in 2022 and 4.25% in 2023.
New Kitsap Transit Routed drivers make $24.11 an hour – and starting on February 16, 2023, will make $25.13 an hour. After six-and-a-half years of employment, Routed drivers make $33.69 an hour.
ACCESS operators make $22.52 an hour to start – $23.68 after February 16, 2023 – and $32.21 an hour after six-and-a-half years of employment.
As of November 30, 2022, KT employees will also receive a $1,000 retention bonus.
Kitsap Transit has also added a non-cumulative longevity bonus. After 15 continuous years with Kitsap Transit, employees will receive a 2% bonus; that bonus jumps to 4% for 20 years and above and 8% for 25 years and above.
Benefits, benefits, benefits!
On top of wage increases and hiring incentives, Kitsap Transit offers excellent benefits for our employees, including:
Paid training, including CDL testing and certification
Health, dental and vision insurance with dependent coverage
Pension through the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
Nine paid holidays and two paid floating holidays
Generous paid leave
Free transit passes for all Kitsap Transit services
For more details about working for Kitsap Transit and to submit your application, visit kitsaptransit.com/drive.
*New hiring incentive: Incentive will be paid in three installments to eligible applicants. All incentives are subject to standard payroll taxes.