Substitute Transit Route Coordinator

Tri Valley Opportunity Council, Inc.; Thief River Falls (MN); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Tri Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. seeks a Transit Route Scheduler to manage daily scheduling and dispatch for Heartland Express Transportation services.

The role includes coordinating rides, trips, ticket management, reports, and public relations with a focus on consistent, courteous customer service. Under supervision, you will monitor dispatch software, respond to inquiries, contact passengers, and handle emergency situations as needed.

Qualifications

• Associates Degree or two years' experience in office/dispatch roles.
• Two years of computer experience including Word and Excel, email and internet.
• Ability to understand city street structure and communicate directions clearly.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Pleasant, professional phone skills and team player attitude.
• Pre-employment drug screening and background checks as required.

Responsibilities

• Answers incoming calls and transfers as appropriate.
• Operates radio, telephone, computer, and scheduling software.
• Schedules daily calls and reservations; coordinates routes across multiple counties.
• Monitors dispatch software and radio for scheduling issues; informs supervisor as needed.
• Provides public transportation information with courteous service.
• Responds to emergencies and coordinates with supervisors and police as required.
• Maintains riders' profiles and prepares monthly route calendar and trip manifests.
• Backs up Route Scheduler duties and assists with reports and ticket management.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Teamwork

Problem solving

Education

Associate degree

Tools

Marshal dispatch system

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

SUMMARY OF PRIMARY FUNCTION

Under the direction of the Dispatch Supervisor-RTC Program Manager or Transportation Programs Manager and in line with Tri-Valley’s philosophy, mission, and goals, the Transit Route Scheduler’s primary responsibilities include daily scheduling and dispatching of the Heartland Express Transportation services as well as related word processing, and general program support duties. Route scheduling responsibilities include, but are not limited to coordinating rides, scheduling special trips, ticket management and sales, monthly reports, and public relations. Consistently displays a positive, respectful demeanor toward callers, clients, vendors and drivers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

1. Answers incoming calls; assists or transfers to others as appropriate.
2. Operates a variety of communication equipment including radio, telephone, computer and scheduling system.
3. Schedules daily calls and reservations in Marshal, Kittson, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Clearwater, Norman and Mahnomen Counties; including the in-town commuters, rural and inner-city buses using a dispatch software program.
4. Monitors radio, vehicle location via dispatching software for information regarding scheduling, issues and field situations; notifies supervisor of situations requiring attention.
5. Provide a variety of public transportation information to passengers, the general public and other public agencies; provide quality customer service and respond to public inquiries and requests for service in a courteous manner.
6. Respond to emergency situations as requested including hazardous and sever weather conditions. Coordinate with supervisors, police and other dispatchers as required.
7. Communicate with passengers as needed.
8. Answers questions within the position responsibilities and transfers on to others as appropriate.
9. Tracks and monitors allocation of bus tickets to drivers.
10. Prepares the rural route and special trip listings for the drivers.
11. Prepares and enters a monthly calendar of all routes into dispatch software program.
12. Helps to notify the public of closings.
13. Tracks riders’ no-shows.
14. Schedules daily bus routes in response to passenger service requests (same day service). Review, organize, and maintain trip manifests to maximize route efficiency.
15. Maintains riders’ profiles; including home addresses and phone listings on all new and existing riders.

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities

1. Creates and maintains various documents, reports, spreadsheets, and data as directed by supervisor.
2. Assists in preparing monthly Status and Annual Reports.
3. Schedules special trips as requested.
4. Has general knowledge of Jefferson routes.
5. Sells Transit bus tickets including Summer Kid passes.
6. Stays up to date on the FTA part 40 requirements to make reasonable suspicion referrals.
7. Serves as a back-up Route Scheduler for the RTC program.
8. Helps maintain the cleanliness of the office location.
9. Performs other duties and tasks as assigned by supervisor.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

1. Associates Degree or two years equivalent of experience working in a similar position such as office support, dispatch, communications, or reception/switchboard utilizing phone, organizational and communication skills with the public.
2. Two years of experience working with computers, including Microsoft Word and Excel, email and internet.
3. Ability to understand city street structure and to effectively communicate city and rural directions to others.
4. Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
5. Pleasant and professional phone skills.
6. Ability to work as a part of a team. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
7. Pass pre-employment drug screening and background search requirements as listed on Conditional Job Offer; upon hire and continuously meet requirements thereafter. Participate in subsequent drug/alcohol testing and background searches as appropriate.