Dispatcher II

California Transit Association; San Rafael (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The California Transit Association is seeking a Dispatcher to report to the Operations Control Manager. The role focuses on assigning work to bus operators within the labor agreement, maintaining high levels of service, and coordinating radio support for field supervision. Extended shifts may be required.

The dispatcher will develop daily plans, monitor schedules, and verify operator credentials, ensuring safety, reliability, and strong customer relations across the District’s service area.

Qualifications

• Dispatcher duties require coordinating and dispatching bus operators, understanding labor agreements, ensuring on-time service, and maintaining safety practices.

Responsibilities

• Develops a daily dispatch plan based on equipment and operator availability and adjusts as conditions change.
• Maintains scheduled and unscheduled service with high reliability and manages overtime costs.
• Interprets the labor agreement for scheduling extra boards and making work assignments.
• Provides radio coordination for field supervision and dispatches as needed.
• Verifies accuracy of time clocks, schedules, and operator credentials including medical cards and licenses.
• Adheres to safety and health rules and maintains professional relationships with staff, customers, vendors, and others.
• Performs additional related duties and maintains regular attendance.

Job description

Position Summary

This position reports directly to the Operations Control Manager, who provides general supervision, guidance, and assistance. A substantial portion of the dispatcher’s work is assessment of unscheduled events and corrective action follow through. Dispatcher’s work is evaluated by performance in maintaining scheduled and unscheduled service, dealing with emergency situations, supervision of bus operators, and interaction with bus transportation supervisors.

The primary responsibility of the Dispatcher is to make work assignments to bus operators in accordance with the labor agreement; within a geographic service area, to safely maintain scheduled and unscheduled service. A secondary responsibility is to act as Radio Controller as required. Position may require working on extended shifts.

Essential Responsibilities

• Develops a daily dispatch plan, based on availability of equipment and operators, and modifies the plan as conditions or events change during the day.
• Responsible for maintaining scheduled and unscheduled service at a rate greater than 99% of all schedules while minimizing additional costs of overtime.
• Possesses the knowledge and interpretation of the labor agreement in scheduling the extra board, making work assignments, and handling a wide variety of operational situations.
• Assists, coordinates, and provides radio contact for bus transportation supervisors in the field, and dispatch them as needed to respond to situations requiring supervisor’s presence.
• Verifies accuracy and functioning of time clocks, check vehicle/operator supplies, reviews daily schedules, and verifies bus operator’s medical card and driver license.
• Knows and follows the safety and health rules and safe working practices applicable to his or her job.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with District employees, customers, vendors and all others contacted during the course of work using principles of excellent customer service.
• Performs additional related duties as assigned.
• Regular and reliable attendance and performance are required.