Triton Transit Student Jobs

Students who do not have previous experience operating commercial vehicles begin as a Triton Transit trainee and may progress to the Triton Transit Driver Level 2 position in as little as four weeks or as long as six months, depending on training progress.

Overview

For full details, see our postings on Handshake.

To be considered for the Triton Transit trainee position, you must:

• Be a registered UC San Diego student
• Be available to work a minimum of 12 hours per week for a minimum of four academic quarters after initial hire
• Possess and maintain a valid California Driver License to operate a university vehicle and participate in the DMV Pull Notice Program.  Completion of DMV Form – Authorization for Release of Driver Record Information (INF 1101) is required for voluntary participation in the DMV Employer Pull Notice (EPN) Program
• Be physically capable of driving a commercial vehicle
• Participate in the Department of Transportation pull-notice program for moving violations and drug testing program
• Be willing to work both weekday and weekend shifts, as necessary

Note: Applicants who have accidents and tickets on their driving record are handled on a case-by-case basis. Violations, such as DUI, evasion, hit and run, racing or other serious convictions disqualify you from being Triton Transit Driver.

To be considered for the Triton Transit Driver Level 2 position, you must:

• Meet all requirements of employment as a Triton Transit trainee
• Possess a valid class B (commercial) driver’s license with a passenger endorsement and the air brakes restriction removed
• Be available to work a minimum of 12 hours per week for three academic quarters after appointment as a Driver Level 2

Triton Transit Driver trainees earn $17.75/hour while training to earn their Commercial Driver License and $22/hour when they are fully trained.

Continuing commercial drivers may be eligible for Operations Support and Trainer positions up to $24/hour.

Triton Transit drivers who meet attendance and performance standards may also be considered for the department scholarship program.

Significant contributions may be recognized as a part of Transportation Services’ Employee Recognition Program.

Complete the online application and upload copies of these documents with it:

• Your DMV driving record
• Your current class schedule

To obtain your California DMV driving record, submit an online Driver Record Request or visit your local DMV office. (Records cost $5. You may schedule an appointment first.) Keep a copy for your records. If your driver’s license was issued by a different state, check with that state’s DMV.

Once we review your application for completeness and confirm your eligibility, a Triton Transit team member will contact you.

Training Attendance

Triton Transit trainees must arrive on time at designated training locations for all training sessions. Failure to arrive by the start time will count as tardy. No grace periods are provided.

Failure to attend an entire training session without written documentation is cause for dismissal. Acceptable written documentation may allow candidates to restart with the next available training group, at departmental discretion. Triton Transit trainees will be released from the training program upon their third tardy.

Portions of training may be conducted virtually and require access to a computer with a camera and microphone.

Training and Testing

Transportation Services trains and administers driving tests for all Triton Transit trainee candidates on campus. Average training time is approximately four weeks. Candidates complete written exams at the local DMV.

Triton Transit trainees receive classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training to prepare for the DMV commercial class B driving test and subsequent safe commercial driving. Employees are allowed three attempts to pass written exams and the commercial driving test. Failure to successfully complete training and testing for the Triton Transit Driver Level 2 position and secure a commercial driver’s license within six months of hire will result in separation from employment.

After completing the requisite paid training, Triton Transit trainees must:

• Pay $98 to take the DMV written exams
• Pass the DMV written exams to receive a commercial driving permit (The commercial driving permit allows the Triton Transit trainee to drive buses during training when accompanied by a licensed bus operator.)
• Pass the DMV driving exam to receive a commercial driving license (Only fully licensed bus drivers operate UC San Diego buses on routes.)

Triton Transit allows student employees to select their work schedules through a seniority bidding process. Students should not select shifts that conflict with their classes or healthy life habits. UC San Diego shuttles operate seven days a week during academic quarters. Shifts may begin as early as 5 a.m. or run as late as 1:30 a.m.

Most student driver shifts are three hours and drivers typically work a base schedule of four or five shifts per week. Shift trading is allowed as is picking up additional shifts to supplement drivers’ regular schedules and earnings. All schedules must adhere to state and federal regulations as well as departmental policies, both of which are covered in training. This is the driver’s responsibility.

Students may choose to work during academic breaks. Limited shifts may be available during the summer and academic breaks.