Dispatcher

Description

• Oversee all routing and scheduling of buses
• Monitor sign-in and sign-out times for each route
• Recommend route adjustments to ensure productivity and reduce overtime
• Demonstrate and promote Safety First culture
• Broadcast daily safety messages during morning and evening
• Work with the location safety personnel to develop meaningful safety messages
• Responsible for posting routes and overseeing the bid process
• Responsible for opening and / or closing ART Operation Center and / or ART Transit Center
• Track daily attendance and communicate issues to supervisor
• Update daily dispatch log including the status of vehicles and replacements, open routes, and other on-going operation items record all late buses, breakdowns, and accidents on the dispatch log.

Information recorded will include time of occurrence, location of bus / vehicle, route affected, bus / vehicle involved, and a detailed description of what steps are being taken to resolve the problem.

Collect all pre-trip / post-trip inspection reports from bus operators. Inspection reports will be documented, dated, and filed.

Vehicles needing repairs shall be reported to the maintenance department.

Responsible for working with the Maintenance Manager with respect to scheduling buses for preventive maintenance (P.M.

service(s), reporting breakdowns, and discussing bus operator concerns regarding the fleet.

• Schedule daily bus operator assignments
• Data entry for a variety of reports
• Sale of tickets and passes
• Maintain inventory of tickets and passes
• Daily fare box count
• Daily deposit of sales
• Answer phones and help customers at Transit Center Information Window. While on phone or in person provide excellent customer service.
• Provide route information and direction assistance to passengers / customers
• Create Identification Cards (ID) as needed
• Detour buses as required and make route changes to maintain schedule
• Provide security
• Ensure safe entry and exit of buses at the Transit Center
• Announce bus arrivals at Transit Center
• Provide public notice of holidays, route changes, and late buses.
• May assist emergency and / or law enforcement in medical or other types of emergencies
• Maintain cleanliness of dispatch offices
• Train new Dispatchers
• Monitor Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) and passenger information system
• Investigate accidents and / or incidents
• Make good judgment calls on rerouting service in case of an emergency or other situation

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with passenger endorsement
• Two years of driving experience preferred
• Must successfully pass drug and / or alcohol test
• Basic knowledge of radio dispatch equipment
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Ability to work under time constraints and deadlines
• Problem solving and analytical abilities
• Previous terminal operations, dispatch, or driving experience
• Good computer skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions with minimal supervision
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers
• Ability to work flexible and varied work schedules including late night, early morning, weekends, snow days, and holidays.

Summary

The Dispatcher is responsible for the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of transportation services for Asheville Redefines Transit (ART).