Transit Dispatcher - Nights

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Under general supervision by the Operations Manager, the Transit Dispatcher performs various technical and clerical duties in carrying out the operation of the dispatch service for the City Fixed Route and Paratransit Systems.  Positions in this class are responsible for receiving and transmitting calls, responding to in-person inquiries from the public and handling fare media sales for fixed route and paratransit bus transportation.  Incumbents draw upon training, experience and guidelines established by the Department and state and federal transportation agencies to determine the appropriate response to each call and in-person inquiry.
 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBLITIES: The Transit Dispatcher is responsible for providing a high level of customer service when taking approximately 100 calls per day from the public and/or paratransit personnel, and dispatching 25-30 drivers to provide bus rides under the fixed route and paratransit systems.  Office hours are from 5:45 a.m. to 11:15 p.m., including some Saturday and Sunday hours.   During work hours the Transit Dispatcher also is responsible for performing general administrative support, selling fare media, controlling inventory, performing paratransit responsibilities, and responding to the needs of the customers at the customer service window at the Ground Transportation Center (GTC).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
 

1. Communicates effectively, professionally and courteously and maintains working relationships with others in carrying out job functions.
   1.    Frequently (more than 50% of the time) interacts with the public and others in the work   unit while receiving calls requesting scheduling for rides in advance or notifying of schedule changes; questions caller to determine location, desired destination and travel time;
   2. Communicates and coordinates with drivers, dispatchers and garage personnel to determine availability of service at the desired times and needs of clients;  
   3.    Maintains records according to established procedures. 

1. Operates specialized department equipment.
   1. Operates two-way radio communication system while taking calls from the public and others in the work unit; 
   2. Operates proprietary software packages to enter and retrieve information regarding reservations and schedules.
   3. Controls the movement of fixed route buses at the GTC every 15 minutes.
   4. Develops awareness of space surrounding busses and watches for pedestrians or bicyclists that may be injured by movements of the buses.                                                                                 

1. Provides general office support services to the department. 
   1. Types lists of calls received and other data as required;
   2. Files documents and records;
   3. Performs data entry;
   4. Serves as back-up staff for cashing handling and recording functions.   
   5. Processes cash deposits for paratransit and fixed route.
   6. Processes applications for paratransit, according to established procedures.

1. Performs all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices.
   1. Knows and follows department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss;
   2. Wears proper protective equipment when policy requires or conditions indicate a need exists and utilizes proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work;
   3. When potentially unsafe conditions are observed makes efforts to avoid or correct them if they are controllable and draws them to the attention of the responsible supervisor or safety representative in a timely manner. 

1. Performs other duties and activities as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The Transit Dispatcher must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent (G.E.D.) and one or more years of experience working with the public, or equivalent experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Knowledge, skills and ability include:

• Knowledge of the concepts and principles of fixed route and paratransit operations;
• Skill in Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel and Access;
• Skill in operating computer terminal sufficient to enter, retrieve and manipulate data;
• Skill in English, both written and spoken;
• Skill in providing customer service;
• Skill in handling cash and credit card transactions;
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, and others, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
• Duties as assigned

  PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This job is performed in a normal office environment, with a majority of time spent speaking to others on a telephone or two-way communication system and in-person.  Approximately 250 calls per day are received. There is considerable attention to detail and deadlines.  Activities the incumbent must perform include fingering, grasping, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing and using repetitive motions.

Sedentary Work: This job is rated for Sedentary Work, meaning that walking and standing are required only occasionally and the job involves sitting most of the time.  The incumbent must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. 

Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.  All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required.  To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.
 
This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship.  The City Administrator retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.