Now Hiring for 3 locations in the Hartford Area (Rocky Hill, East Hartford & Hartford).
SUMMARY: The Dispatcher/School bus Driver is responsible for assisting with the operation and coordination of the bus fleet and other school district vehicles, equipment and student transportation services; establishing and maintaining positive, effective working relationships with transportation employees, school staff, parents and the community. The position develops and maintains district bus routes and schedules field/sports trips while coordinating and assigning drivers and buses for student transportation. Plans, directs, coordinates and oversees all functions pertaining to the operation and maintenance of the district transportation department including personnel, equipment and facilities. Responsibilities also include contacting drivers by tele/cell phone and communicating with parents, drivers and administration regarding transportation routing and student conduct. This position may include, but not be limited to the following performance responsibilities, qualifications, knowledge, skills and abilities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRANSPORTATION – DISPATCHER/SCHOOL BUS DRIVER INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING. Other duties may be assigned
Maintenance
- In charge of scheduling all maintenance work on buses and motor pool vehicles.
- Submits yearly supply orders to Business Office
- Communicates with Business Office regarding budget and bussing needs
- Makes recommendations to Transportation Supervisor for purchasing and disposition of district vehicles and buses
Regular/Extra Curriculum/Trip Routes
- Dispatches all regular education and special/extra services buses
- Directs the work day for bus drivers
- Ensures all route assignments are implemented as scheduled
- Posts Field Trips/extra work; assigns drivers and substitute drivers to cover assignments
- Informs all drivers of special requirements, road conditions, routing and all extraordinary conditions
- Prepares all trip sheets, maps and other vital driver information related to extra trips
- Ensures that all transportation routes and trips are covered each day; posts new routes for drivers to bid on as they become available
- Prepares and distributes routing information such as master schedules, driver information, maps, student ridership lists and other items as requested
- Assigns properly equipped buses based on the number of students to be transported and their special needs; coordinates and assigns drivers for extra trips such as field trips and athletic trips
- Coordinates field trips, including receiving and posting trips, assigning drivers and buses to trips and maintaining trip board
- Compare time clock data with GPS system
Substitute Drivers
- Assigns substitute drivers to cover regular/Trip routes, when needed. Makes certain their time sheets are filled in properly and in a timely manner.
- Directs substitute drivers on routing, schedules and other factors necessary to perform efficiently
- Calls and assigns substitute bus drivers to routes and trips to fill in for regular drivers as needed. Provides route information and instruction to substitute drivers.
District Motor Pool
- Makes certain vehicles are maintained, fueled and clean
- Recommends the procurement of additional or replacement buses and the disposal of old or uneconomically repairable units.
Route Planning/Paperwork
- Assists in route planning, route sheet updating, assignment of routes and driver and bus assignments
- Oversees the coordination of bus routes and schedules
- Provides for the keeping of logs and records required for state support
- Maintains records and prepares reports which provide information as to the effectiveness of operations
- Assists in the preparation of the annual State Transportation Ridership Reports and other state reports, as necessary
- Assists in developing and implementing regular education routing, schedules, assignments and changes
- Reads and interprets maps to provide directions, information and documentation for drivers, district staff, parents and the public
- Composes and/or prepares various documents and reports (e.g. bus stop locations, field trip information, substitute driver route lists and maps, substitute workloads, absence and substitute records, early dismissal schedules, school route maps, correspondence, fliers, employee time cards, bus logs, etc.)
Communication
- Acts as the contact person for all district personnel requesting transportation
- Advises building officials of route changes, bus changes, late arrivals, departures, etc.
- Confers with the school Principal and/or BOE Contact/Transportation Supervisor and other officials in adapting transportation schedules to school needs
- Notifies administration immediately of all accidents and completes paperwork in a timely manner
- Dispatches messages to appropriate staff and others; responds to inquiries from district staff and the public to provide information, directions, and/or clarification
- Communicates orally and in writing with drivers concerning various matters, including routes, trips, special requirements, road conditions, maps, parking, etc.
- Communicates orally and in writing with building employees and community members concerning various matters, including routes, trips, stops, changes, early releases, late arrivals, delays, etc.
Accident Procedures/Emergencies
- Calls proper authorities; Safety Director/Operations Manager, 911/Police/EMTs.
- Collects and reviews driver’s Accident/Incident Report and submits to Safety Supervisor.
- Accepts bus trouble calls, coordinates replacement buses, drivers, etc.
- Contacts BOE contact with issue and parents of students onboard.
Discipline
- Works with the administration to handle difficult disciplinary problems
- Assists the administration with various functions including apparent-student communications regarding student discipline and route issues
- Follows all district policies and collective bargaining agreements
Safety
- Works with drivers/safety department to solve transportation safety concerns.
- Coordinates general maintenance program of specific attention to safety inspections with service garage.
- Establishes performance standards and supervises operational care, servicing and maintenance of all vehicles with the department.
- Supervises accident reporting to Safety Supervisor.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Sitting at a desk for long periods of time.
- Frequently walking throughout the transportation office and bus garage.
- Lifting and carrying a maximum of 20 pounds; may occasionally be required to lift and carry or restrain a student when discipline problems occur.
- Twisting, stooping and crouching occasionally while sitting at a desk to access documents and equipment.
- Frequent use of hands while working on computer keyboard, using a computer mouse and while writing.
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 may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions.
- The noise level in the work environment is moderate.
Qualifications
- Strong communication skills; bilingual preferred but not necessary
- Proficiency in logistics and dispatching
- Experience with transportation management systems
- Ability to multitask and prioritize effectively
- Familiarity with GPS technologies
- Previous experience in fleet management
- Data entry skills and attention to detail
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Dispatching: 1 year (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
Work Location: In person
