80.DISPATCHER.005

Arlington Public Schools

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Human Resources announces an opening for the position of Dispatcher. This is a full-time, in person, Grade E-5 position located in the Transportation Department. GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Dispatches school buses to help ensure that all bus runs, APS-wide, are timely and efficient; runs include regular runs, field trip runs, athletic trip runs and special event runs throughout the school year and the summer. Passengers include K-12 students (and younger) and students with special needs. Makes daily assignments, as needed, of Bus Drivers and Bus Attendants for effective scheduling and deployment of all buses consistent with route plans/schedules developed by Routing and Planning. Uses pertinent modules of planning/scheduling software (currently edulog), mostly in the forms of straightforward look-ups and data entry, in support dispatch functions. Monitors the arrival and departure of Bus Drivers/Bus Attendants and buses to ensure that staff has reported, as scheduled, and that all bus runs have the proper staff. Ensures maintenance of a daily dispatch log to assist in driver/attendant management and to facilitate response by Transportation Services to service inquires or complaints. Maintains continuous radio contact with in-service buses and, in the event of a traffic accident or other incident, ensures response from Transportation Services or other servicers. As appropriate, tracks response from public safety [police/fire/EMS (emergency medical services)] first responders. Serves as a Bus Driver to transport students, as assigned. Performs related functions.

Requirements

A high school diploma or Certificate of General Educational Development (GED); or An equivalent combination of education, experience and training, and Three years of progressively responsible experience in bus transport operations, including two years as a journey level driver of passenger buses requiring a Class B CDL with air brake endorsement and substantive experience in dispatching transportation of this type (or equivalent education, experience or training demonstrating ability to serve as Dispatcher), are required.
Experience working with people of diverse backgrounds and tailoring and delivering work products and services to meet the needs of diverse groups is required.
Ability and willingness to work as a Bus Driver, as needed, which may include split shifts and evenings/nights.
A Class B Commercial Drivers License (CDL), with passenger bus endorsement, air brake endorsement and school bus endorsement, is required after placement in the position in accordance with established procedures.
Having and maintaining negative test results for alcohol and controlled substance use
Possession of a satisfactory driving record that shows that: § Within the preceding five (5) years, the driver has not been convicted of a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances (or a comparable or stronger infraction, such as driving while intoxicated); § Has not been convicted of a felony, or has not been assigned to any alcohol safety action program or driver alcohol rehabilitation program, and § Within the preceding twelve (12) months, the driver has not been convicted of two (2) or more moving traffic violations or has not been required to attend a driver improvement clinic by the Commissioner, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, or any other authority in the Commonwealth, or to attend a comparable regimen by comparable authority in another licensing jurisdiction.

Nice To Haves

Experience using edulog software pursuant to dispatch activities is desired at the time of placement into this position.
Experience using knowledge of Arlington County Road networks, neighborhoods, school boundaries and other local information to dispatch ground transportation, as pertinent to effective dispatch of transport for K-12 students, is desired at the time of placement into this position.

Responsibilities

Makes daily assignments of Bus Drivers and Bus Attendants for in scheduling and deploying all buses consistent with route plans/schedules.
Monitors the arrival and departure of bus drivers and buses to ensure that drivers have reported, as scheduled, and that all bus runs have the proper staff.
Maintains a daily dispatch log to assist in driver management and to facilitate response by Transportation Services to service inquires or complaints.
Maintains continuous radio contact with in-service buses.
Monitors, and communicates with bus drivers and others concerning, such ‘environmental’ information as weather, road hazards, road closings, traffic delays, etc.
Uses proper broadcast procedures, including tone of voice, message construction, terminology and transmission style in communication with school bus drivers and others; this will, at times, include speakers of English as a Second Language (ESL).
Listens ‘actively’ to help ensure effective two-way communication.
Attempts to calm any emotionally distraught caller.
Shows decisiveness and maintains self control during emergencies and other high pressure dispatch situations.
Tracks buses using geographic positioning system (GPS) equipment if/when installed by APS.
In the event of a traffic accident or other incident, ensures response from Transportation Services or other servicers by passing on facts of the accident/incident and noting apparent options for response.
May contact 911 on behalf of the Bus Driver.
As appropriate, tracks response from public safety (police/fire/EMS).
Serves as a point of first contact for principals, parents and others regarding questions/complaints, as they arise daily, about bus service.
Performs operator checks and services on and operates Federal Communications Commission (FCC)-approved radio broadcast equipment.
Drives a school bus to transport students, as needed and when not serving as a dispatcher, during driver shortages, in emergencies, etc.
May work as a Bus Driver (Substitute) under Dispatch.
Stays abreast of developments directly affecting APS school bus transportation dispatch, including but not limited to vehicle/fleet data, road network data, and standards and issues emanating within APS; this includes short-term effects of scheduled and unplanned road work.
Notes impact and takes appropriate action.
Uses a computer and modern office software suites for communication (email), word processing, research (Internet) and other general office applications, in addition to specialized software for bus route planning/scheduling (currently edulog) to look-up information regarding routes, runs, buses and staff, enter data, etc.
May act as, or for, the Lead Dispatcher, as assigned.