POSITION:         Dispatcher/Scheduler

Purpose Statement

The job of Dispatcher/Scheduler is done for the purpose/s of providing support within the student transportation services area with specific responsibilities for monitoring the support systems required to meet the transportation operation scheduling demands; establishing, developing and arranging bus routes and driver assignments to meet student transportation needs; serving as a liaison and resources to various parties involved in addressing the transportation needs of students; coordinating communications and information between the County Office, parents, bus drivers, school sites, teachers and school administrators related to student transportation services; and collecting, evaluating and/or referring information relating to transportation system operations.

This job reports to the Assigned Administrator/Supervisor.

Essential Functions

• Answers telephone calls for the purpose of screening calls, transferring calls, taking messages and responding to inquiries about transportation functions, activities, policies and procedures.
• Communicates with drivers and others utilizing a telephone and two-way radio (e.g. reviewing route maps, responding to inquiries, providing information, etc.) for the purpose of assisting with route related problems and requests.
• Compiles route statistics (e.g. mileage, driver time, student count, stop addresses, number of days run, bus capacity, etc.) for the purpose of meeting determined route requirements.
• Creates and maintains routes throughout regular and extended year (e.g. physically measuring route distances, evaluating and designating bus stops, understanding student needs/limitations and conditions, etc.) for the purpose of making driver assignments, ensuring bus routes address current student schedules and are in compliance with school safety schedules, policies, and mandated guidelines.
• Performs a variety of clerical accounting duties as assigned (e.g. preparing and processing invoices and requisitions, researching grants, submitting insurance claims, use departmental software to account for monies, receiving monies from training registrations, etc.) for the purpose of assisting in mantaining designated budgets as assigned and monitoring expenditures to assure compliance with established limitations and accounting procedures.
• Maintains a wide variety of data, records, logs and reports (e.g. student information, vehicle operational status and repairs, financial data, school and employee data, driver and bus mechanic schedules, field trip logs, route descriptions, route map documentation, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring accurate and updated information is available for authorized personnel and outside agencies as appropriate and in accordance with establuished administrative guidelines and legal requirements.
• Participates in department meetings, in-service training, workshops, etc. for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform job functions and maintain school bus driver certificate.
• Performs functions of a school bus driver for the purpose of meeting required transportation service coverage needs in the transport of students to and from school.
• Prepares various reports related to students, routes, schedules, field trips, requests, emergency information, etc. for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference, conveying information, and/or complying with established guidelines.
• Recommends route additions, adjustments, and/or consolidations resulting from student needs (e.g. new developments, road closures, etc.) for the purpose of making efficient and safe routes.
• Responds to a wide variety of inquiries from internal and external parties (e.g. bus drivers, school sites, teachers, program directors, angry and concerned parents, etc.) for the purpose of providing information, facilitating communication among parties and/or providing direction.
• Responds to a variety of emergency situations (e.g. accidents, injuries, disruptive student behaviors, bus equipment failures, absences/illnesses of staff, etc.) for the purpose of taking the appropriate action to calmly diffuse adverse situations and resolve immediate safety and/or security concerns.
• Schedules activity trips for the purpose of ensuring legal requirements are adhered to (e.g. driver hours of service, etc.).
• Schedules bus drivers to scheduled routes and field trips for the purpose of meeting requested student transportation needs.
• Supports immediate supervisor for the purpose of providing assistance with their functions and responsibilities as may be required in providing student transportation services, meeting DOT driver requirements and administrative functions as related to transportation projects or program components.

Other Functions

• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements:  Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

SKILLS are required to perform single, technical tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: reading maps; operating standard office equipment including utilizing pertinent software applications; and planning and managing projects; administering first aid; inspecting vehicles; preparing and maintaining accurate records; customer service.

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math; read a variety of manuals, write documents following prescribed formats, and/or present information to others; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions.  Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: regulations regarding use of transportation vehicles, routing, mapping, scheduling, etc.; job-related codes/laws/rules/regulations/policies; recordkeeping and record retention practices; school safety and security practices.

ABILITY is required to schedule a number of activities, meetings, and/or events; often gather, collate, and/or classify data; and consider a number of factors when using equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; analyze data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using defined methods. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with a variety of data; and utilize a variety of job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data frequently requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is moderate. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: communicating with diverse groups; working as part of a team; and working with detailed information/data; adapting to changing work priorities; maintaining confidentiality; meeting deadlines and schedules; setting priorities; working with frequent interruptions; and problem-solving in emergency situations.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision following standardized practices and/or methods; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; operating within a defined budget. Utilization of resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is a continual opportunity to impact the organization’s services.

Working Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some climbing and balancing, some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 80% sitting, 10% walking, and 10% standing.  The job is performed under minimal temperature variations and in a generally hazard free environment.

Experience      Job related experience with increasing levels of responsibility is required.

Education        High school diploma or equivalent.

Equivalency    Any combination equivalent to: graduation from high school and at least one year experience working with the general public coordinating communication. Bus driving experience preferred.

The stated education and experience requirements are the preferred minimum qualifications for this job.   However, relevant experience to substitute for the education requirement and relevant education, certificates and/or licenses to substitute for the experience requirement may be allowed.

FLSA Status                                                    Approval Date                                              Salary Range

Non Exempt     28