Transportation Dispatcher

Transportation Dispatcher

Provide for the safe and reliable dispatch of all school bus routes on a daily basis. Resolve routing issues and coordinate coverage of route changes, field trips, and special programs.

This position does not supervise, but may provide guidance to and participate in the training of new and current employees.

Essential Job Functions - May include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Ensure that all District buses and drivers are assigned and follow established routes and time schedules.
• Respond to concerns from parents and District staff. Field and respond to route and service-related inquiries coming into the transportation department.
• Provide bus and route related information to bus drivers.
• Quantify and verify time schedules and route maps; running directions.
• Track and verify drivers reporting to work on time, buses leaving on time and maintaining set time schedules.
• Monitor compliance of CDL drug and alcohol requirements.
• Schedule and assign cover drivers and spare buses as required. Assign drivers to cover scheduled and routine routes.
• Schedule drivers and buses for activity and field trips; maintains equity in assignment of drivers and minimizes overtime.
• Advise drivers concerning problems they encounter on bus routes.
• Ensure route books are maintained with current up-to-date information and checked in and out of the office.
• Assist bus drivers and city employees with fueling issues.
• Instruct new drivers on operational procedures concerning check-in times, call-in, route books, field trips, and covering routes.
• Operate communication equipment for staff, drivers, and customers such as phones and two-way radios. Provide information on routing situations; review and evaluate situations and recommend solutions.
• Use and manage communication devices in normal work setting, emergencies, and road closures.
• Use specialized routing computer system to assist with dispatch activities and to follow-up on questions.
• Prepare and update attendance and field trip reports on a computer.
• Qualify to drive a school bus to provide backup support.
• Maintain regular and consistent attendance and punctuality.
• Demonstrate excellent public relations skills.

Knowledge, Skills and Ability:

• Knowledge of appropriate dispatching policies and practices, or ability to learn within a reasonable amount of time.
• Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, guidelines, and District standards, policies, and procedures related to transportation processes, or ability to learn within a reasonable amount of time.
• Knowledge of the geographic region, school locations, District bus routes, and student transporting equipment, or ability to learn within a reasonable amount of time. Ability to become familiar with District streets and roads, read maps, and learn about transportation equipment and student needs.
• Knowledge of modern office procedures, practices and computer equipment and programs. Ability to learn to use routing computer system to obtain student transportation information as needed.
• Knowledge and skill in the use of office technology and office software, which includes mapping and routing systems, Microsoft Office Suite, Smartsheets, docs and forms.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to prioritize and multi-task; ability to work accurately under pressure with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to follow emergency dispatch procedures and ability to notify appropriate personnel and emergency services in a timely manner.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to interact with a diverse group of individuals in a courteous and tactful manner, and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to handle problems and stressful situations tactfully and apply pro-active problem solving skills.
• Analytical ability.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Experience and Training:

• Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is appropriate. A representative way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:
• Two or more years of experience in the operation of a school bus, desirable.
• One year of transportation dispatching experience is desirable.
• Experience in organizing and assigning resources such as data, equipment and people, desirable.
• Experience using transportation specific software desired.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Bilingual/Bicultural Preferred

Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Oregon State school bus driver's certificate, including the requirement to pass all applicable bus driver physical and drug testing requirements.

Working Conditions:

Administrative office environment with exposure to moderate to high noise intensity levels from two-way radios and telephones. May include driving school buses or other district vehicles in various road and weather conditions.

High level of contact with District personnel and outside agencies/community.

Physical Requirements:

Constant talking, hearing, and sitting for prolonged periods in a confined area. Frequent reaching, handling and fingering. Mobility to work in typical office setting and use standard office equipment. Vision: Frequent near and far acuity. vision to read printed materials and computer screen or other monitoring devices.

Strength: Generally sedentary/light. Exerting up to 15 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force constantly to move objects.

Meet all physical requirements of a school bus driver.

Schedule:

260-day calendar

Hours per day: 8