Agency offering $1,000 hiring bonus; Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL) not required to apply
As part of its steadfast commitment to improving service reliability, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is hosting an in-person career fair this Friday seeking candidates for full-time Bus Operator and Bus Mechanic positions. More than a dozen CTA Career Fairs have been held this year, and this is the first event held since announcing new hiring and retention bonuses, plus increased starting hourly rates for these positions.
To help remain competitive in the workforce, the CTA recently announced new incentives for newly hired union employees in certain job titles, including all new bus operators and bus mechanics. Those hired for these positions in 2022 and 2023 will receive a $1,000 hiring bonus, plus will be eligible to earn retention bonuses through December 2023, based on date of hire.
“If you've been considering a career in transportation, now is the time to take the first step towards a rewarding and dynamic career at the Chicago Transit Authority,” said Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “With CTA's new financial incentives for new hires, our positions are highly competitive and even more attractive to prospective employees.”
Above and beyond the new hiring and retention incentives, the CTA also recently announced new, increased starting hourly rates for full-time Bus Operators and Bus Mechanics, which are 17 and 25 percent higher, respectively. The starting hourly rate for full-time Bus Operators is now $28.42 (up from $24.27), and for Bus Mechanics the new hourly rate is $39.42 (up from $31.35).
Applicants who possess excellent customer service skills and are interested in seeking employment with options for developing a rewarding career path in the transportation industry are strongly encouraged to attend:
Friday, December 2nd
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Malcom X College
1900 W. Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60612
Presentations: 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Registration Required: bit.ly/3F5LhOS
The job fair will include presentations describing the positions at CTA and the application process, Q & A with current CTA employees, and an opportunity for all attendees to apply at an onsite application workshop. A Commercial Driver’s License or a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CDL/CLP) is not required to apply.
To apply for a CTA Bus Operator position, candidates must be 21 years of age; have a valid driver’s license and a safe driving record; be available to work weekends, evenings, and holidays; and be able to pass a drug and alcohol test, per Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) regulations. Successful candidates will also be able to demonstrate excellent customer service skills.
CTA has expanded recruitment and recently announced significant incentive programs as part of the “Meeting the Moment” Action Plan, a multi-tiered effort to provide more reliable service and improve the customer experience. New operators and mechanics are critical to helping the agency address an industry-wide worker shortage, the main contributing factor to CTA’s current service challenges.
Other benefits for CTA Bus Operators and Mechanics include medical and prescription drug plans for employees, their spouses, dependent children (up to age 26), and civil union partners; free transit on CTA and Pace buses, and pension/retirement plan options.
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