BUS ROUTE DISPATCHER

Salary Schedule

Under general supervision, the purpose of this position is to perform district-based duties associated with processing all critical radio communication required to coordinate safe pupil transportation, reschedule and assign bus routes as required. Assign and redirect field trips as required. Serves as primary coordinator for all accidents, incidents, breakdowns, unassigned routes, medical and/or student discipline and emergencies. Employees in this classification operate a two-way radio, multi-line telephone and desk top PC to coordinate daily coverage of bus routes, and ensure compliance to district policies and procedures in a fast-paced high volume communication center. Performs related work as directed.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Responds to internal and external customers in a timely, accurate, courteous and empathetic manner representing OCPS in a positive light.

Coordinates critical radio communication for all district buses transporting students. This includes approximately 2400 bus routes and approximately 30,000 school bus stops with an additional 100 field trips per day.

Monitors two-way radio communication requiring action items that include serving as an information and relay source for all school bus breakdowns, accidents incidents, training assignments, garage inspections, medical emergencies and student disruptions that may/may not require law enforcement assistance.

Makes decisions on the movement of equipment to provide adequate coverage for safe pupil transportation and field trips on a district wide basis. Radio is monitored 100% of the time.

Answers high volume, multi-line telephone; takes messages; relays calls; provides information and assistance to district personnel and the public. Receives and responds to parent inquiries, public complaints, and initiates problem resolution.

Responds to radio and telephone calls; evaluates situation and determines proper course of action; takes direct and timely actions in accordance with approved operating and safety practices, district and department policies, documenting all radio calls, telephone calls, communications with schools and district staff. Prioritizes bus operator radio calls; handles 911 emergencies.

Initiates daily accident/incident reports, notification matrix for administrative staff and written supporting documentation for investigations of school bus accidents, incidents, complaints, and other related transportation issues.

Requires continual advising, reviewing, monitoring and maintaining adherence to all Federal, State and District guidelines, policies and procedures; Ensures student safety and effective timely response to all emergency situations; immediate contact with appropriate authorities during emergencies.

Assists in the coordinating of all coverage of bus routes daily; receives daily absentee slips and covers routes.

Assists in the coordination of all other department transportation needs, including field trip coverage, training assignments, and omnibus drug testing.

Reports and tracks unauthorized absenteeism, accidents, incidents and coordinates missing student searches with appropriate Area Managers.

Receives and reviews route updates for discrepancies and investigates same; catalogs and notifies routing of street closures.

Investigates and resolves parent complaints or concerns; initiates problem solving strategies. Provides technical assistance to school and District Administration personnel; i.e.: student safety, student discipline, bus overloads, and field trips, investigation of complaints, emergency situations, and incidents/accidents.

Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review, or modify data daily; utilizes advanced word processing database, and software programs such as: Word Excel, FHP Accident interface, Inboard Wireless paging System, CICS, Map Net Automatic Vehicle Location System and Computer Aided Dispatch.

Performs various technical and administrative duties in supporting daily district transportation activities.

Coordinates the activities of other clerical staff in the workgroup for telephone coverage, vacation coverage, daily break and lunch coverage, and distribution of clerical workload.

Receives and relays communications between administration staff, routing department, garage, safety department, drivers and monitors.

Collects statistical information for state mandated reports quarterly or annually which directly affect federal funding.

Attends Area Manager Meetings to instruct drivers on proper radio and safety procedures.

Responsible for keeping up to date on current technology, as job appropriate, being used by OCPS. With the support of the district, attends training to ensure skill level in various technologies is at the level required to perform in current position.

Responsible for timely and accurate information they maintain as part of their job responsibilities.

The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS
While the following tasks are necessary for the work of the unit, they are not an essential part of the purpose of this position and may also be performed by other unit members.

Deliver copies of accident/incident reports to administrative personnel.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or GED

Supplemented by a minimum of:

- two (2) years of experience as a school bus operator, or

- one (1) year experience as an OCPS Radio Relief Bus Operator, or

- one (1) year experience as a 911 dispatch operator, or

- other experience in a high volume communications center, or

- an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize and respond to emergency calls in a timely manner; ability to read county maps, and have thorough knowledge of the roadways of Orange County.

Proficiency using desktop PC; must have a clear speaking voice.

PERFORMANCE APTITUDES

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to calculate, compute, summate, and/or tabulate data and/or information. Includes the ability to performing subsequent actions in relation to these computational operations.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference and descriptive and/or design data and information.

Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may require ability to utilize principles of fractions and/or interpret graphs.

Functional Reasoning: Requires ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagrammatic form. Involves semi-routine standardized work with some latitude for independent judgment concerning choices of action.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.

ADA COMPLIANCE

Physical Ability: Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station.

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require visual perception and discrimination. Some tasks require oral communications ability. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds.

Environmental Factors: Tasks are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, animals/wildlife, toxic/poisonous agents, violence, disease, or pathogenic substances. Tasks consistently deal with immediate response requirements and a stressful work environment.

The Orange County School District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to allow them to perform the essential functions of the job when such individuals request an accommodation.