Transit Dispatch & Route Coordinator

Town of Blacksburg, VA; Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Blacksburg, VA is seeking a central communications dispatcher to coordinate, schedule, and direct bus operators for timely public transit and paratransit services. Under the Transit Lead Dispatcher, this essential position ensures smooth operations during planned or unplanned events.

Shift options include mornings, afternoons, evenings, and nights on weekdays or weekends; holidays may be required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience in public transit service operations as a transit operator, including some supervisory experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide ongoing direction via two-way radio to bus operators to ensure timely arrival and departure of all route buses on route.
• Assess and evaluate changing traffic conditions and implement route detours through communications and notifications to bus operators and other Transit staff.
• Prepare vehicle assignments and coordinate with the Maintenance, ITS and CCS divisions regarding vehicle needs and issues.
• Arrange vehicles in garage nightly according to assignment plan to ensure organized and efficient morning pullout.
• Coordinate morning pullout to ensure timely start of morning service.
• Resolve scheduling issues due to late operators, operator call outs, and open shifts.
• Approve operator scheduling changes on operator trip sheets and WhenToWork scheduling system and maintain run sheets.
• Provide dispatching and routing services for fixed-route, demand response, and paratransit as appropriate.
• Work with Lead Dispatcher, supervisory staff and operators in resolving concerns related to dispatch services.
• Prepare daily dispatch report detailing key events and actions occurring during the dispatch shift.
• Create, maintain, and monitor computerized daily manifests/schedules for dispatching and routing transit services; modify and update schedules to improve services.
• Attend all required safety / staff meetings, trainings, and other meetings when assigned.
• Maintain and update supporting logs.
• Monitor computer, mobile data terminals, and the two-way radio for information regarding various issues; notify supervisor of situations requiring attention.
• Operate fixed route and paratransit vehicles as necessary.
• Work directly with customers in resolving issues, if necessary.

Skills

Safe transit operations

Dispatching knowledge

Geography of service area

Traffic laws knowledge

Safety precautions

Public transit software

Staff scheduling

Vehicle operation

Customer issue resolution

Education

High school diploma or GED

Transit operation experience with supervisory exposure

Tools

WhenToWork scheduling system

Job description

The Town of Blacksburg, VA is seeking a central communications dispatcher to coordinate, schedule, and direct bus operators for timely public transit and paratransit services. Under the Transit Lead Dispatcher, this essential position ensures smooth operations during planned or unplanned events.

Shift options include mornings, afternoons, evenings, and nights on weekdays or weekends; holidays may be required.