Aspen Bus Drivers: $31.36; Paid CDL Training, housing, ski pass, bonuses, and more!

Are you ready to embark on a rewarding career as a CDL Bus Operator?

Look no further! Join Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA), the largest rural transit agency nestled in the breathtaking Colorado Rocky Mountains.

We are actively seeking Full-Time, Year-Round Career Transit Operators for our operations in Aspen and Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

Explore who we are, our achievements, challenges, and future vision with RFTA.

Get an inside look at life at RFTA! Click here to watch our video series, Working at RFTA, to see what makes us a great place to build your career.

Why choose RFTA?

We offer an unbeatable compensation package that includes competitive pay, generous bonuses, and comprehensive benefits. Plus, we provide paid CDL training (if you are a licensed Colorado candidate) to kickstart your journey with us.

Here's what makes being a Full-Time, Year-Round Transit Operator at RFTA truly exceptional:

Competitive Compensation

Earn a wage starting at $31.36 per hour, with overtime opportunities.

Comprehensive Benefits

• Secure your health and well-being with health, dental, life, and vision insurance, and discounted options for other plans and families.

• Prepare for a secure future with RFTA's retirement plan, as we contribute 12.5% of your income to a retirement savings account on your behalf.

• Experience the thrill of the slopes with a Ski Pass for Aspen/Snowmass (unlimited pass, blackout dates may apply) or opt for a $425 cash bonus.

Work-Life Balance

• Enjoy generous paid time off, including 22 vacation days and 12 sick leave days accrued per year.

• Travel with ease using the RFTA Bus Pass, available for employees and dependents.

• Employee housing opportunities up to five years, if available.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Transit Operator at RFTA, you will:

• Operate transit buses in revenue and non-revenue service while strictly adhering to RFTA policies, directives, and all federal and Colorado traffic laws.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of streets, bus routes, stops, fare structure, and bus pass programs within RFTA's service area.

• Represent RFTA professionally, working effectively in a diverse environment, exercising sound judgment, and delivering high-quality service to external and internal customers.

• Perform pre- and post-trip inspections of transit buses, ensuring mechanical soundness and safety compliance.

REQUIREMENTS

Education While a high school diploma is preferred, it is not required. Fluency in spoken, written, and reading English is necessary.

Licenses, Examinations, and Certifications

• Must possess and maintain a Class B Colorado State Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with a P2 endorsement. *RFTA offers paid training to obtain your CDL (if you are a licensed Colorado candidate).

• Pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination and obtain a DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate for a minimum of a 2-year qualifying period. Maintain current DOT Medical Examiner's Certification.

• We offer training courses to help you obtain your CDL Class B for the state of Colorado.

Job Classification, Location & Schedule

This Full-Time, Year-Round position is based in Aspen, Colorado. As an incumbent, you must be flexible to complete any assigned shift, including day, night, and weekend rotations starting in Glenwood Springs or Aspen.

Application Deadline/Closing Date

No deadline. Posting will remain until all open positions are filled.

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to be part of the Roaring Fork Valley Transportation Authority! Check out our website for more information - Hiring Operators - Year Round, Full Benefits Employment | RFTA Jobs

How to Apply

Colorado Residents: In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Apply today to start an exciting career in transit operations in Aspen to Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

RFTA is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Experience/Qualifications

• Must be at least nineteen (19) years of age. Must have three (3) years of licensed driving experience.
• Previous experience operating large vehicles is preferred but not mandatory.
• No more than two (2) minor traffic violations within the past three (3) years.
• No major violations within the past five (5) years.

RFTA recognizes the difficulties in finding affordable housing in our area. 

We own a housing complex (42 Furnished Studio Apartments) in Glenwood Springs.  

Housing typically costs about $1300 a month, including utilities.

BENEFITS YOU’LL RECEIVE AS A FULL-TIME (Year-Round) RFTA EMPLOYEE

Full-time (Year-Round) employees are hired at a wage commensurate with their experience in the appropriate wage grade for their position and are eligible for annual pay rate increases based on performance.  The following is a summary of benefits currently offered to Year-Round employees at RFTA.

• Affordable Health Insurance including choice of a PPO or HDHP medical plan, vision, and dental.  RFTA pays the majority of the cost.  Employees pay between $0 and $30 per month for single coverage and between $274 and $464 per month for dependent coverage depending on plan and level.  Employees with access to other medical coverage are eligible for an opt-out cash bonus of $3,654 annually.*

• Wellness Program.  RFTA encourages employees and their families to participate in preventative health screenings and reimburses employees for the cost of participation in one of several community health fairs offered annually.  We also offer a variety of fun wellness challenges with prizes!

• Short and Long-Term Disability.  RFTA offers short and long-term disability insurance to employees at no cost.

• Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance.  RFTA offers life and AD&D insurance to employees at no cost, with coverage equal to the annual salary plus $10,000 for single employees and five times the annual salary plus $10,000 for employees with eligible dependents.  Employees are also eligible to purchase additional insurance.

• Pre-Tax Savings Plans.  RFTA offers several options for employees to utilize pre-tax savings accounts including Flexible Spending Accounts for medical expenses, Dependent Care Accounts, and Health Savings Accounts.  Employees on the HDHP receive between $1,000 and $1,500 annually* from RFTA for their HSAs.

• Deferred Compensation Plans.  After a six-month waiting period, full-time employees are enrolled in RFTA’s 401(a) social security replacement plan.  RFTA contributes 12.55% of the employee’s gross earnings to the 401(a) plan in lieu of social security contributions. Employees will see an increase in their take-home pay of approximately 6-7% when their social security deductions stop.  

  • RFTA also offers a voluntary 457(b) plan in which employees may contribute to their retirement accounts on either a pre-tax or ROTH basis. Before-Tax Voluntary Contributions, and/or After-Tax Roth. RFTA will match 50% of the 1st 3% of your 457(B) contributions, which will go towards your 401(A).

• Paid Time Off.  Full-time employees with less than five years of service accrue vacation at a rate of 8.5% up to a maximum of 6.8 hours per bi-weekly paycheck.  After five years of service, the vacation accrual rate increases to 10.75% up to a maximum of 8.6 hours per bi-weekly paycheck.  All full-time employees accrue sick time at a rate of 4.6% up to a maximum of 3.7 hours per bi-weekly paycheck.  Sick time has no cap.  Vacation accrual caps at 300 hours.  RFTA also offers paid time off for jury duty and bereavement.

• Four-Mountain Ski Pass or $425 Cash Bonus.  Employees pay applicable taxes on $425 regardless of their choice.  Cash bonuses are issued on the paycheck before Christmas, and taxes on ski passes are deducted on the paycheck after Christmas.  This is pro-rated from start date.

• RFTA Bus Passes for employee and eligible dependents.  Passes are good for unlimited rides on valley local, BRT, hogback, and City of Aspen runs; however, employees and family members must pay the $1 fare for Ride Glenwood and $2 bikes on buses fee valley wide.

• Life Crisis Fund.  Funded by employee donations, Life Crisis funds go directly to RFTA employees who are experiencing a life crisis, as determined by the CEO.  Donations can be made on a one-time basis, or as ongoing payroll deductions.

• Employee Assistance Program.  TRIAD offers confidential counseling and referral services.  Employees and their dependents are eligible for three free sessions per issue per year.

• Employee Housing Assistance.  In addition to offering rental advance loans to full-time employees in their first Five years of service.

  • RFTA has apartments available on a first-come, first-served basis. This includes long-term properties.  Rent includes utilities, other than internet, cable, and phone.  

    • Rental payments and security deposits are paid through a portal with Integrated Mountain Management (RFTA's Property Manager).  

* UPDATED January 2026. THIS SUMMARY IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO ENSURE ITS ACCURACY. IF A DISCREPANCY EXISTS BETWEEN INFORMATION PROVIDED HERE AND PLAN DOCUMENTS, THE PLAN DOCUMENTS WILL PREVAIL. RFTA RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR UPDATE BENEFITS AT ANY TIME.

Colorado has great weather year-round due to its world-famous sunny blue skies with outdoor living at its best! 

In the summers you can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, flyfishing and camping. In the winter: downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, fat tire biking, snowmobiling, hiking and flyfishing.

The heart of RFTA is in and around Aspen Colorado, which is best known as a world-class ski destination. There is always something to do; free outdoor concerts, festivals, the X Games, and so much more. There are a lot of international people that live here as well, thus providing you a small town, with big-city options.  

Discover what it’s like to work at RFTA by exploring this video series: Working at RFTA.

Explore who we are, our achievements, challenges, and future vision with RFTA.