(VIDEO) TriMet’s 2024 Rail Operator of the Year: ‘You should apply here!’

Shana Peck says it 'makes my day to make people happy,' getting riders to their destination on MAX

TriMet is hiring bus and MAX operators!

These positions come with a $7,500 hiring bonus! TriMet is also giving operators a raise and expanding benefits under our new Working and Wage Agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 757. The union represents most of our employees, including all operators. Under the new contract, the hourly wage for operators starts at $29.35 and increases to $42.75 within three years.

Learn more about being a TriMet bus operator at trimet.org/driveforus. Those interested in operating MAX should check out trimet.org/maxoperator. Applications are being accepted now at trimet.org/careers.

TriMet recently honored outstanding employees with our Employee Choice Awards. Our 2024 Rail Operator of the Year, Shana Peck, was excited to be recognized even though she's only been with TriMet for a little over two years.

For Shana, joining TriMet was a great way to advance her career and serve her community. She says others should consider making the same leap.

Beginning a 'real career' with TriMet

Shana Peck officially joined TriMet in 2022. She had been working closely with the organization for nearly a decade, including six years as a supervisor for LIFT, TriMet's paratransit service. LIFT operators and supervisors are contractors, but TriMet oversees operations.

"I just decided TriMet's where I wanted to begin my real career," Shana says.

Her dream was to run MAX trains. At the time Shana joined TriMet, only employees who had driven a TriMet bus were eligible to apply for MAX operator jobs. With her previous experience driving for LIFT, Shana took the wheel for TriMet before soon moving to MAX.

This year, TriMet has a new policy. We're now accepting MAX operator applicants from outside TriMet. Applicants should have at least one year of experience in the transportation industry, one year of customer service experience and three years of driving experience. Find details at trimet.org/maxoperator.

"I think it's fun operating the trains," Shana says. "And I'm excited to see where I grow in my career here."

Opportunities and possibilities

TriMet invests in our employees, helping them succeed, excel and thrive.

"There's lots of room for growth," Shana says, speaking from personal experience.

TriMet offers learning and development courses for employees, as well as financial support for employees who enroll in higher and continuing education courses outside of TriMet. The new Working and Wage Agreement increases that support, also offering a child care subsidy and more expanded benefits.

"You should apply here!" Shana says. Joining TriMet is a "great opportunity," she adds, with family-wage jobs and excellent benefits. Having moved from bus to MAX, it makes Shana feel good to know TriMet supports employees in reaching their goals. TriMet often promotes from within the organization, so employees with leadership skills can further advance in their careers.

Applying with TriMet

TriMet has big plans to expand and improve service throughout our 533-square-mile service district, which covers parts of Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties. In August, we rolled out one of the biggest service updates in our 55-year history. We want to build on that momentum!

Right now, though, we need more operators to provide the level of service we envision. That includes more Frequent Service bus lines, better connections between neighborhoods and job centers, and extended service to growing communities in places like Beaverton, Happy Valley and Hillsboro.

Visit trimet.org/careers to browse available jobs and apply online. We now offer a $7,500 hiring bonus for new mechanics, technicians and maintainers, as well as operators! We're also hiring for many other positions.

TriMet was recently ranked by Forbes Magazine as the top Oregon-based employer in the state, as well as Oregon's top "Transportation and Logistics" employer. Forbes' ranking is based on a survey of employees in each state.

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