Transit Dispatcher - Part Time

Blacksburg, Town of (VA); Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 24,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Blacksburg is seeking a Transit Dispatcher to coordinate, schedule, and direct bus operators ensuring timely public transit and paratransit services. Shifts may include mornings, afternoons, evenings, and nights; holidays may be required.

The starting rate is $20.80 per hour, and this is an essential position during designated events. Essential duties include directing via two-way radio, detouring routes when needed, preparing vehicle assignments, and coordinating with maintenance

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Valid CDL Class B with Air Brakes and P endorsement; clean driving record.
• Safety-sensitive role; subject to drug and alcohol testing per DOT/FTA.
• Pre-employment drug screening required.

Responsibilities

• Provide dispatch direction via two-way radio to bus operators.
• Assess traffic conditions and implement detours with notifications.
• Prepare vehicle assignments and coordinate with maintenance, ITS, CCS.
• Arrange vehicles in garage nightly for morning pullout.
• Coordinate morning pullout for timely service.
• Resolve scheduling issues and update run sheets.
• Provide dispatching for fixed-route, demand response, and paratransit.
• Prepare daily dispatch reports detailing events and actions.
• Maintain computerized manifests/schedules and update as needed.
• Attend safety meetings and trainings.

Skills

Dispatching

Public transit

Radio communications

Safety compliance

Customer service

Team coordination

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Performs in a central communications role coordinating, scheduling, and directing bus operators to ensure timely and effective operation of public transit and paratransit services. Work is performed under the supervision of the Transit Lead Dispatcher. This position is classified as an essential position during designated planned or unplanned events.

Shifts may be scheduled in the morning, afternoons, evenings, and/or nights on weekdays and/or weekends. Holidays may be required.

The set starting rate for this position is $20.80 an hour.

The Town of Blacksburg is an EEO Employer M/F/D/V

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 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 patterns 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

• Comprehensive knowledge of the safe operation of transit buses
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public transit operations dispatching duties
• Thorough knowledge of the geography of the service area
• Thorough knowledge of area traffic laws
• Thorough knowledge of the hazards and safety precautions of large scale operations
• General knowledge of computer software applicable to public transit
• Ability to plan and schedule the work of rotating staff
• Ability to operate transit vehicles safely and efficiently
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, public safety staff, and the general public

Education and Experience

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

Special Requirements

• Valid commercial driver's license (Class B with Air Brakes and P endorsement) in the Commonwealth of Virginia with a satisfactory driving record
• This is a safety-sensitive position subject to drug and alcohol testing guidelines as set forth by the Federal Transit Administration and the US Department of Transportation in 49 CFR Part 40, and Part 655, as amended
• A pre-employment drug screening is required for this position
• Drug and alcohol testing guidelines set forth by the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Transit Administration, will be followed during the employment period

• This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 49 pounds of force
• Work regularly requires speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions, frequently requires sitting, reaching with hands and arms and lifting and occasionally requires standing, walking, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, smelling and pushing or pulling
• Work has standard vision requirements
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities
• Work occasionally requires working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles and exposure to outdoor weather conditions
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic)