Mid-Columbia Bus Company, Inc.

JOB TITLE: Dispatcher

LOCATION: Boardman, OR.

Mid-Columbia Bus Company is in need of a dispatcher to maintain daily communications with all route and activity drivers while routes are being driven. The dispatcher will communicate and schedule trips with drivers for dispatch, coordinate all bus movements while actively participating in the positive team environment over seen by the Location Manager. Other key job duties will include accounting calculations and timely reporting of activity trips, payroll, and hours of service; updating route narratives; equipment coordination; and additional task delegated by the location manager.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain the “People Standard” of the company which includes and is not limited to maintaining a positive attitude, great work ethic, self motivated, team player, follow through on commitments, and be reliable (partial list). Follow the Service to Children, Customers, & Passengers Policy including the Code of Ethics. Examples include treating children, customers, passengers with respect and fairness always, and will adhere to uniform standards of affection (Appropriate Physical and Verbal Contact listed in the Service to Children, Customers, & Passengers Policy). Follow and maintain a safe, healthy and secure work environment providing a high level of productivity and efficiency.
• Obtains caller's name and business purpose. Directs caller to destination or voicemail, or record name and time of call, nature of business, and deliver messages to contacted persons It is essential that all calls be handled in a courteous and professional manner. The desired results are no complaints are received by callers regarding the method or way their call was handled.
• Greets incoming customers or guests to the business establishment and directs those persons to the appropriate staff member. Should the requested person not be available or on location then take a message for that person. All customers or guests should be greeted in a courteous and professional manner. The desired results are no complaints from guests or customers regarding the method and way they were handled at the facility.
• Operates multi-line central answering telephone console to receive incoming messages. Make future appointments and answer inquires. Maintain daily phone log recording time of day, caller's name and basic information related to the call.
• Types memos, correspondence, reports, and other documents.
• Performs variety of clerical duties and other duties as assigned by management.
• Maintain daily communication with all drivers regarding their routes, communicating all changes to the driver including updates on student pick-ups, new students and their address, cancellations for the day, requested transfers, school approved modifications in routes or pick-ups. This communication will occur prior to routes when possible, but the dispatcher must effectively communicate this information to the drivers during routes through the FM radios. The desired results are 100% of the buses depart on route at the required time, and that routes are ran each day of the school year, and all assigned students are picked up, and dropped off, to and from school on time.
• Keep the weekly dispatch computerized log updating daily changes of bus routes making notes for any routes that need substitute due to driver absence or emergency leave, schedule sub driver in timely manner. Note absent driver(s) and report this information to the Location Manager. Complete the weekly report of routes and trips for the Dispatch Plan which is required to be sent to corporate weekly.
• Work directly with the Location Manager to assist in updating and maintenance of all route narratives and maps, providing accurate times and pickup and drop off locations, updating changes in all special procedures or locations that effect a route (i.e. student crossings, etc.)
• Remain knowledgeable of the student management information system for the location. Be able to access the data to provide up to date information regarding a student, their address, emergency contacts, parents name, regular attendance school, etc. Maintain and update student data base in a timely manner or assist the assigned person in maintaining and updating the database.
• Maintain a log on all trips contained in the company computerized dispatching program, recording all required information. Prepare driver trip slips with all the required information, as required, for the activity trip.
• Disperse trip slips to designated drivers, answer driver questions about the trip, and make all driver reservations for accommodations as may be required for overnight trips. Maintain and apply accurate driver rotation order used at the location in dispatching trips. The desired results are that 100% of the requested trips are dispatched correctly, to the right destination, and departure times are met. Should special billing information, or purchase order numbers be required, be desired by the school or customer the dispatcher will note these on the bottom of the trip slip for the Finance/Accounting office for billing.
• Dispatch maintenance and emergency personnel for needed repairs and/or emergency procedures. Receive and file the pre and/or post trip inspection sheets by drivers, and pass to the maintenance department all maintenance and repair discrepancy slips filled out by drivers.
• Provide drivers training on the proper use of required pre/post trip inspections forms of buses, travel forms, log books and expense reimbursement forms.
• Keep in contact with District officials for scheduling and dispatching of routes and trips providing changes or modifications to schedule. Advise the Location Manager in writing of any changes or modifications to routes requested from parents or others that would require the school district's review and approval. The desired results are no complaints from school district officials regarding the routes or trips dispatch and times. Where complaints are received a resolution that is timely and satisfies the customer.
• Act as the primary communication link between drivers and management. Maintain a very positive attitude in scheduling, implementation and modification of routes and trips. Communicate openly with management regarding discussions, information, ideas and concerns expressed by drivers or other employees pertaining to company policy, procedures, routes, direction, or other issues/topics of discussion that involves the company in anyway.
• Communicate directly and in a timely manner with the Location Manager regarding any and all changes in work/job status requested, demanded or communicated to the Dispatch office by drivers. Assist the Location Manager in posting all job openings and receiving any applications for such openings.
• Maintain a high degree of confidentiality relating to discussions with management. Refrain from sharing with others (excepting management), personal issues or concerns expressed by employees. By direction and example discourage employees from participating in nonconstructive conversations, i.e. gossip.
• Be knowledgeable and skilled in the operation of regular home-to-school bus routes, activity trip driving and pupil management techniques. Drive school bus when needed as a regular or substitute route driver or when directed by the Location Manager.
• Process all trip slips and correlate the trip sheets with time card/s, verifying times.
• Complete any necessary billing requirements
• Process all Weekly Payroll time sheets in a timely manner. Assist in the preparation of Payroll Recaps and Monthly Time & Mileage Reports.
• Assist with transportation reports or completing other duties, tasks, or assignments that may be required by the location manager.

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

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Within 6 months of being hired obtain a complete understanding of State rules and regulations governing the operation of school buses and school bus drivers. Mastered intermediate level computer proficiency in Microsoft Software including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Training and certification operating a multi-line central answering phone system, and FM/VH For other communications radios is preferred.

Position requires a valid driver's license and a Class A or B Commercial Drivers License(CDL), with passenger endorsement and air brake restriction lifted, and obtain certification to drive school bus. Under this job classification the company will provide the required training and testing to obtain this level of commercial driver’s license must be obtained and test passed with the state Motor Vehicle Division within the first 6 months of the date of hire. Position must possess and sustain a Standard First Aid and CPR card within the first 6 months of being hired.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Ability to operate a multi-line central answering phone system, FM communications radios.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee is required to obtain and pass a State's school bus driver physical examination and submit to a pre-employment drug screen.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk clearly and hear phone and FM radio communications.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 lbs. in the office and have sufficient strength and agility to move in a school bus as required to aid students evacuating the bus.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations maybe made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee when assigned to a regular or substitute bus driver position will work in outside weather conditions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.