gr1mee

High stress and lackluster pay for rookie operators. Senior guys have the easiest routes. There is a shortage of bus operators nationwide....it isnt just the MTA.

Its cheaper because they dont have to negotiate with an union for pay raises and demands. ATMA are MTAs own analysts. They will offer what they want to offer for cost of living adjustments....usuallly less than an OSA Analyst. OSA is the Organization of Staff Analysts, a small union, but they pattern bargain after DC37 contracts. The MTA has not been negotiating in good faith with us...they have been stallin for years and years with our contracts. To paint the picture...I am still waiting for retroactive pay from the 2015-2020 contract to be paid. Its only about 7.5% for those 5 years for us as we didnt get any raises for 2019 and 2020 due to covid. For years 2021, 2022 and the current year who knows how long we have to wait for that contract to be signed.

Analysts can work in any of those capacities. Location is where you the offer for. When a department needs an analyst, you apply specifically for that job/location. Its not an universal job posting like the operating titles. Depends on which vacancy you got the offer for. Was enjoyable initially, but once you get top pay as an Analyst it can be a dead end unless youre in the right place at the right time. The only advancement is getting a Supervisor/Manager job. Days are Monday thru Friday...bankers hours. Most Analysts dont see any OT. Im a part of the OSA Analysts. I think they have it better than the Transit Analysts (ATMAs) they are trying to fill all of the newbies with. Its cheaper for the MTA to hire ATMAs.

Im an Analyst.

Hey all, Prepping for a GS Support Services interview soon. I haven't been in Buses department for many years now. For bus maintenance and bus operators, what suggestions do you have to improve employee availability? I have a feeling that question might pop up for the interview. Or if you have any other fair game questions, feel free to chime in. Thanks all.

I have taken the analyst exam, but what's your question?

Yea you prolly won't get a AGS job from the outside. Most of the time, they already know who will get these management jobs even before putting up the job posting. I have seen a few instances of nespotism going on and even secretaries being promoted to analyst and then to General Superintendents going in Buses. It has a lot to do with who you know in Buses.

Are you an Analyst or a Manager with NYCT?

Why do they keep posting these wide salary ranges ($81k-$100k+) on Analyst job postings, when all they are offering is the minimum salary of $81k? Pretty frustrating to keep applying and prep for these interviews and the best HR can do is a lateral with $0 increase for a job offer. As you progress an an Analyst, it becomes a dead end unless you're fortunate to become a Manager somewhere or your boss retires or promoted as there is low turnover generally.

I have worked in HR for field locations and I can say that you're definitely at a disadvantage by being an outsider. More often than not, someone who is already working for Transit will get the job offer. They are required to have someone from outside to be interviewed. Your best bet is to take the civil service exams as there is some sort of rule in place that agencies must hire 1 in every 3 interviewed and the 3 people they interviewed are off a list in some order. As I suggested earlier, don't confine yourself to just a Transit exam, take the DCAS civil service exams, which Transit is also a part of. You are casting a wider net by applying to DCAS exams as most agencies can use an analyst . You may not be working for MTA/Transit but at least you get the valuable work experience or permanent title after passing thru the 1 year probationary period. You will look a lot more attractive by already having the permanent title and work experience under your belt, despite coming from another agency. There are also requirements in MTA job postings now that you must be permanent in a specific title to apply. Higher level titles are harder to obtain since there are more trainee and lower level analysts vying to get promoted as well. Civil service jobs are hard and long to come by, especially now given the job market and lack of job security in the private sector.

That depends if youre an analyst at a hub like 2 Broadway/130 Livingston St or a field location. I have not worked ar a hub so cannot comment on that but it is hard to move up the ladder as an Analyst working at field locations. The best you can do is keep taking higher title exams in hopes that the department youre working in will grant you the new and higher paying title. Turnover is low...youre waiting on someone above you to get promoted or die so that you can have a chance at becoming a supervisor of some kind. Its easier for an analyst to move into supervisory/managerial roles in buses in my opinion. There arent many supervisory positions in subways. I have had a very hard time trying to attain a supervisory role anywhere. Seems like you need an engineering background and kiss ass to move up as an Analyst in subways. Also, Im skeptical of the Principal TMA title as I can say there arent many in the MTA who have this title (about 5 according to my outlook global email addresses). This may all be a money grab considering even I got DQed. If youre not set on just working for Transit, dont forget to apply for the analyst exams given by dcas. There are analyst exams open later this year. I got into MTA as a Paa title and kept jumping thru analyst titles by paasing DCAs analyst exams. I asked for the titles to be retained at Transit [easier to get plucked from the list as an incumbent than having to duke it out with people om these lists at other agencies).

Just received a disqualification letter for the principal transit management analyst #9615 exam based on work experience. That's pretty crazy considering I have been an analyst with NYCT for over 4 years now. I am appealing, going to copy and paste the exact wording on the exam description of the required work experience .