Dispatcher-Full-Time
Salary: $20.88 – $27.12 Hourly
Position Summary:
The Dispatcher at SouthWest Transit ensures proper express and prime route operation in all conditions. This is done through advanced and real-time planning and decision-making, maintaining continuous communications with drivers, street supervisors, the operation manager, and maintenance staff to ensure proper procedures are followed. Directs appropriate communication and assistance to solve traffic, weather, mechanical, passenger, and emergency issues.
Essential Functions:
- Monitor all scheduled transit trips to ensure proper operation and on-time performance using SWT’s AVL systems and tools.
- Communicate via 2-way radio, telephone, or e-mail with operations and planning managers, street supervisors, IT staff, customer service staff, and maintenance staff to ensure proper route operation and to direct proper responses to remedy on-street bus maintenance or fare collection problems.
- Receive emergency calls from drivers and determine whether police or other emergency services are called and then forward calls as appropriate.
- Coordinate responses to accidents to ensure appropriate actions are taken for the safety and security of customers and drivers.
- Oversee scheduled vehicles, routes, and drivers while in service, solving operational problems throughout the shift.
- Implement bad weather and emergency policies and procedures when necessary.
- Document all activities during the shift, ensuring the dispatch control logs accurately and completely reflect the agency’s route operations.
- Assist the contractor with reasonable suspicion evaluation as drivers report for duty.
- Assist senior management in the monitoring and administration of the agency’s Driver Services contractor.
- Review proposed transit schedule changes prior to implementation to ensure efficient and accurate operations that meet the goals outlined in the agency’s Strategic Plan.
- Perform administrative, computer, and clerical functions related to the operation of routes as directed.
- Provide assistance in the maintenance of the ridership data.
- Assist the Operations staff with route monitoring, evaluation and development.
- Assist in the proper recording of vehicle breakdowns, accidents, and service-related incidents and communicate summary to senior management.
- Review ridership data to ensure accuracy and provide assistance with monthly ridership reporting.
- Prepare standard reports as required.
- Assist with planning to incorporate scheduling software into the transit operations.
- Support the Marketing and Customer Service departments in analyzing service issues.
- Keep Agency departments apprised of service issues affecting routing, scheduling, and customer notification systems.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- 3+ years of experience or training related to the job
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- The ability to operate personal computers
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite or other database tools
Preferred Requirements:
- Meet or exceed requirements for a Bus Operator and be able to perform any duties required of an Operator. Knowledge of Coach, Low Floor, and Cutaway.