Driver Dispatcher - Transportation

Salary: See Position Description
Location : 4002 S. Cedar St., WA
Job Type: Full time
Job Number: 23-24-02639
Department: Business Support Services
Division: Transportation
Opening Date: 12/13/2023
Closing Date: 1/4/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
Tacoma Public Schools
Expected Start Date: January 8, 2024
FTE: 1.0
Hours per day: 8.0
Salary Level: PT/5, $29.32hr - $41.966hr
Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 6:00am - 3:00pm
Benefits: This job has the full range of benefits offered by Tacoma Public Schools.
Examples Of Duties
This position schedules and dispatches District school bus drivers, substitute bus drivers, and bus monitors according to pre-established routes and emergent conditions; complies with the union contract, District policies, and accepted industry practices; coordinates District approved field trips and athletics; responds to en-route emergencies and makes reports; provides lead direction to drivers.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Assigns vehicles, drivers, and monitors to bus routes/runs; oversees all dispatching functions; ensures effective dispatch activities and the maintenance of related records; provides information and communicates to the administrator in regard to dispatching as needed.
2. Reviews and approves extracurricular schedules, including field trips and athletics; assigns trips to drivers, per contract; distributes trip sheets; ensures trip sheets are completed for billing.
3. Responds to school bus-related accidents, incidents, and en-route emergencies; provides lead direction to drivers and clerical staff; revises driver routes to ensure all students are transported safely; maintains accident files and produces related reports for drivers and administrator; provides assistance in implementing bus inspection reporting system.
4. Acts as first point of contact and serves as transportation representative to customers; responds professionally to complaints from parents and community, and to disputes among drivers; resolves minor conflicts.
5. Assists in creating a customer service District and department culture that assures the operational program is responsive and sensitive to the needs of students, patrons, and school staff; provides flexibility, as appropriate, to respond to the needs of customers; reports absences, tardiness, and inappropriate conduct to the administrator.
6. Assists with hiring decisions and makes recommendations to the Transportation Department Administrator; follows District policy and guidelines with hiring.
7. Responds to emergencies reported by drivers; performs as primary contact with police, fire, and other applicable organizations; makes appropriate decisions, as directed by administrator.
8. Compiles, extracts, and performs data entry of transportation information, as directed by administrator; generates transportation reports for drivers and administrator.
9. Monitors and maintains, under direction of the administrator, all updates with applicable board policies, Washington Administrative Code (WAC), and Revised Code of Washington (RCW); assists with ensuring conformity with applicable policies and programs; complies with, federal and state law, policy direction of the school board, and compliance with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies; contributes to the achievement of District and department goals and objectives.
10. Processes field trip requests, entering data into databases and updating information; determines the bus size and number of buses needed for each trip, the most efficient route using MapQuest or similar software, and the cost of the trip; checks field trip reports for accuracy and prepares related reports.
11. Communicates with teachers, athletic coordinators, school bus coordinators, principals, and others regarding transportation bus assignments, schedules, and trip information.
12. May respond to school-bus related accidents, incidents, and en-route emergencies; revises driver routes, as needed; maintains accident files; and produces related reports for drivers and administrator; provides assistance in implementing bus inspection reporting system.
13. Provides assistance to bus routers; monitors and assesses special routes; communicates changes or information to drivers via two-way radio and other methods, ensuring all parties use proper radio discipline and procedures.
14. Maintains records related to the development and maintenance of bus stops, runs, routes, and schedules; monitors bus assignments for sensitive situations and students who have special needs; enters data into computer and updates information; maintains bus maintenance records and schedules; communicates with vendors for bus maintenance issues.
15. Provides support for bus driver and bus monitor training; assists in gathering and compiling teaching materials; prepares media; sets up appointments for driver physical examinations and random drug tests.
16. Works with, and troubleshoots, various transportation software applications and databases; communicates with appropriate vendors; recommends solutions; aware of union contract compliance for covered employees in the Transportation Department,

OTHER JOB DUTIES
1. Drives a school bus in emergency situations, as directed by administrator.
2. Provides back up assistance to department staff, as needed.
3. Performs related duties as assigned, on a temporary basis.
4. Regular, reliable, predictable attendance or physical presence is an essential job requirement and critical to the performance of the work.
CONDITIONS
Required to respond to, and defuse, if appropriate, difficult and sensitive situations and/or people; exposed to prolonged visual concentration and video display; required to lift and carry up to 20 pounds, bend, squat, stoop, kneel, crouch, walk, twist, climb, hear, speak, and be mobile.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience
High school graduation or equivalent and five years of bus driving experience with a safe driving record; prior experience in public transportation industry is desired; prior dispatching and/or router experience is desired; or any combination of experience and training which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the work.
Licenses/Special Requirements
Valid Washington State drivers' license with current commercial drivers' license (CDL) and Type I school bus driver certification.
Department of Transportation physical card required.
First aid and CPR card or required to obtain within the first 30 days of employment.
Fingerprints and successful WSP and FBI background clearance/sexual misconduct clearance.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of Washington State Traffic Code, school bus operational policies, and standard safety practices.
Knowledge and full understanding of applicable laws, codes, rules, policies, and regulations related to pupil transportation.
Knowledge of District Positive Behavior Management System (PBIS).
Knowledge of District street network.
Knowledge of basic transportation operating procedures.
Knowledge of routing software and route efficiency methods.
Knowledge of first aid and CPR.
Knowledge of school facility locations and street geography of Tacoma School District is desired.
Skill with understanding and using District PBIS.
Skill in quality customer service.
Skill in proficiency with District word, spreadsheet, transportation specific, and time-keep software programs.
Skill in training other staff with applicable software programs, as directed by administrator.
Ability to obtain, clarify, and exchange information.
Ability to operate communications equipment in compliance with federal and state regulations.
Ability to maintain accurate records.
Ability to work as a team member with positive working relationships with colleagues, staff, administration, and students.
Ability to remain calm in dealing with crisis or hostile situations.
Ability to multitask, make decisions, operate efficiently under pressure and resolve conflicts while under time constraints both independently and cooperatively.
Ability to organize work, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
Ability to demonstrate reasonable, reliable, and regular attendance.
Ability to operate personal computer with associated software application.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people in a multi-cultural, diverse socio-economic setting.
Supplemental Information
This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. District administration has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the primary functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.
Tacoma Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

• Civil Rights Coordinator: Renee Trueblood, 253-571-1252,
• Title IX Coordinator, Secondary: Wayne Greer, 253-571-1191,
• 504 Coordinator, Elementary: Jennifer Herbold, 253-571-1096,
• 504 Coordinator, Secondary: Megan Nelson, 253-571-1003,

Mailing address: P.O. Box 1357, Tacoma, WA 98401-1357.
: This job has the full range of benefits offered by Tacoma Public Schools.
01
BD4: Do you have at least five years of experience as a licensed driver of a passenger vehicle?

• Yes
• No

02
BD5: Have you been convicted of any of the following motor vehicle violations within the last five years? (a) Three or more speeding tickets, including driving too fast for conditions; (b) Hit and run driving; (c) Vehicular assault; (d) Vehicular homicide. If YES, attach a document to your application describing the nature of the violation, place, date, court, and final disposition.

• Yes
• No

03
BD6: Have you been convicted of any of the following motor vehicle violations within the last five years? (e) Driving while intoxicated; (f) Being in physical control of a motor vehicle while intoxicated. If YES, attach a document to your application describing the nature of the violation, place, date, court, and final disposition.

• Yes
• No

04
BD7: Have you been convicted of any of the following motor vehicle violations within the last five years? (g) Negligent driving in the first degree; (h) Reckless driving; (i) Any motor vehicle violation agreed to during a court proceeding as a result of an alcohol related driving infraction. If YES, attach a document to your application describing the nature of the violation, place, date, court, and final disposition.

• Yes
• No

05
BD1: Do you certify that you have a High School Diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

06
ALL1: Do you certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Washington that your responses to the disclosure questions that you answer as part of your Candidate profile are true and correct as of the date of the application to this job requisition?

• Yes
• No

07
ALL2: Do you certify that you meet each of the minimum qualifications for this specific position as outlined in the job description?

• Yes
• No

08
ALL3: Do you certify that you are able and/or willing to perform each of the essential job functions of this position as outlined in the job description?

• Yes
• No

09
BD2: Are you or will you be 21 years of age by the start date of this position?

• Yes
• No

10
BD3: Do you have a valid Washington State Driver's license?

• Yes
• No

11
Do you have prior experience in public transportation industry? Be sure this is outlined in your resume

• Yes
• No

12
Do you have prior dispatching and/.or router experience? Be sure this is outlines in your resume

• Yes
• No

13
Do you have a Valid Washington State drivers' license with current commercial drivers' license (CDL) and Type I school bus driver certification?

• Yes
• No

14
Do you have five years of experience in transportation services/operations or equivalent in an administrative or supervisory capacity? Be sure this is detailed in your application and resume.

• Yes
• No

15
Do you have experience in a large urban school district or public transportation system? Be sure this is detailed in your application and resume

• Yes
• No

Required Question