Driver/Dispatch

Salary: $16.46 - $19.16 Hourly
Location : 1254 Energy Drive Gaylord, MI
Job Type: Teamster BUS
Job Number: 00087
Department: Bus
Opening Date: 02/20/2024
Description
Under the supervision of the Transportation Manager is responsible for providing dispatch and scheduling services for transportation services. Responds to requests for public bus transportation, schedules routes accordingly and logs scheduling information. Also serves as a Bus Driver as assigned. In such cases is responsible for providing safe, efficient, customer- friendly transportation.
Examples of Duties
An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. These examples do not include all of the duties, which the employee may be expected to perform. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

1. Receives telephone, e-mail, and fax requests for transportation, both in and outside the county, determines if requested time and route can be accommodated, and suggests alternative times if appropriate. Schedules rides taking into consideration the special needs (e.g., physical requirements, mental disabilities, etc.) of many of the passengers served by the department.
2. Prepares daily logs to include recording time, address, and fare information for each pickup.
3. Responds by phone to provide professional customer service and answers questions from the public regarding transportation services in the County.
4. Operates and effectively communicates (speaks clearly and concisely) using base station or hand held radio and enforces FCC required radio procedures to ensure radio discipline of drivers.
5. Complies with all applicable safety requirements, laws, and regulations concerning refueling procedures when dispatching buses.
6. Coordinates with the Chief Dispatcher and Transportation Manager for resolution of customer complaints.
7. Learns and operates computerized dispatch software program and performs necessary daily back-ups of data.
8. Maintains records and receipts. Balance receipts, prepares deposits and enters all data into computerized system.
9. Drives vehicle to transport passengers to various destinations. Provides customer assistance to a variety of passengers ranging from school age to the elderly. Passengers may have special needs or require additional assistance.
10. Runs routes as written or verbally dispatched.
11. Complies with all applicable safety requirements, laws, and regulations.
12. Performs a Michigan Department of Transportation pre-inspection and required post- inspection of vehicle, records any deficiencies and reports all maintenance needs to proper personnel.
13. Performs daily maintenance of bus (fueling, adding fluids, etc.).
14. Maintains a log of trips and number of passengers. Verifies monies, proper fares, fuel, and mileage.
15. Fuels and cleans vehicle throughout the day or at end of shift or day.
16. Records and report any incidents, injuries, or vehicle damage to proper personnel before end of shift.
17. Notifies bus system management of any safety or maintenance concerns.
18. Communicates positively with bus patrons.
19. Supports Bus Aide with appropriate, positive guidance with children.
20. Attends training and staff meetings as required.
21. Performs other duties as directed.

Typical Qualifications
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities and minimum qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job.

• High school diploma and one year of experience as a bus driver in public transportation.
• The county, at its discretion, may consider an alternative combination of formal education and work experience.
• Michigan Commercial Driver's License - Class C with passenger endorsement.
• Pass a Michigan Department of Transportation physical and drug screen prior to employment.
• Obtain a Michigan Department of Transportation Medical Examiner's certification within ten days of employment and CPR training within six months of employment. Certifications must be maintained throughout employment.
• Ability to learn and master radio equipment and transportation software.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of safe driving techniques and providing customer service.
• Considerable knowledge of county roads, reading maps, providing customer service while transporting passengers, working with a variety of people including providing service to passengers with special needs and assistance, performing arithmetic, preparing receipts and daily log reports, and driving safely in all weather conditions.
• Skill in effectively communicating ideas and concepts orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships and use good judgment, initiative and resourcefulness when dealing with county employees, contractors to the county, representatives of other governmental units, professional contacts, elected officials, bus patrons and the public.
• Ability to learn new technology applicable to the position.
• Skill in the use of specialized vehicle transportation equipment such as chair lifts and securing passengers prior to transport.

Supplemental Information
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the 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 regularly works in the office and field. While in the office, the employee is regularly required to communicate in person and radio, read regular and small print, view and produce written documents and enter data. The employee must be mobile with the ability to stand, sit, stoop and kneel, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee must lift or push/pull objects of up to 25 lbs. without assistance and assist special needs passengers. Accommodation will be made, as needed, for employees required to lift or move objects that exceed this weight.
While performing the duties of this job the employee works in outdoor weather conditions while driving and is exposed to fumes or airborne particles, noxious odors, vibrations from driving a bus and traffic. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but can be loud.
Benefit Summary
Teamsters Bus Local 214
MERS (Municipal Employees' Retirement System)
Defined Contribution Plan, Employee elects 1-3% and County contributes 2%
Normal Retirement Age: 60
Vesting - 3-6 years graded vesting
Health Benefits
Employees will cost share 20% of medical and Rx premiums. All cost shares will be deducted by pre-tax payroll deduction. New employees will be eiigible to enroll on the first day of employment.
Medical/RX BCN HMO
BCBS Telemedicine 24/7 Access to physicians
Dental 100/75/50/50, $1,000 ortho max, $1000 annual max
Vision Insurance 12/12/12
Medical Opt-out Option
Eligible employees electing not to participate in the Employer's group medical care coverage will receive an annual stipend of $2,000, to be paid quarterly. Non-participants will provide proof of coverage(s) from another source. Employees who elect to return to the Employer's hospitalization medical insurance shall be added as soon as allowed by plan requirements. Employees that are covered under the Employer's plan through a spouse that also works at the Employer are not eligible for the annual Medical Care Opt Out Stipend.
Life/ADD/Disability
Life Insurance $10,000
ADD $10,000
Short Term Disability up to 26 weeks of coverage 66 2/3% of pre-disability earnings Max: $500 per week
Holidays
New Year's Day Labor Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Thanksgiving Day
Good Friday Day after Thanksgiving Day
Memorial Day Christmas Eve Day
Independence Day Christmas Day
New Year's Eve Day
3 Floating holidays: may be used anytime during the calendar year
Voluntary Benefits
Additional voluntary benefits are available such as, medical flexible spending accounts and dependent care reimbursement accounts, additional life insurance, cancer and additional disability policies as well as 457 voluntary retirement programs.
Personal Time
Every January, all regular full-time employees will be credited with personal hours. Employees that work 40 hours per week will be credited with 56 personal leave hours. Personal leave may not be taken until the employee has been employed for six (6) months
Vacation Time
Each regular full-time and regular part-time employee shall earn, on a pro-rated basis, vacation time as follows:
From start date up to and including 5 years of service 80 hours
From 6 years and up to and including 10 years of service 120 hours
From 11 years of service and over 160 hours
Vacation time will be credited to the employee's bank on a bi-weekly basis. Employees can only have up to their base vacation accrued in their vacation bank at any one time and they may not use more than what is currently in their vacation bank.
Wellness
Regular full-time and part-time employees have access to our on-site wellness room and access to our County membership at Powerhouse Gym.
EAP Program
We recognize that our employees are our most valuable asset and that an investment in your well-being is a sound investment for everyone.
We understand that each of us will be faced with a personal problem in our lives. Such common difficulties may or may not impact our work lives, but will certainly affect the satisfaction in our lives. Most personal concerns can be resolved, or their effects minimized, through appropriate assistance. A counselor helps people work through concerns much like a coach helps an athlete improve through supportive, objective feedback and suggestions.
The Life Advisor Employee Assistance Program is a completely confidential, short-term counseling service, utilizing a practical approach toward problem resolution. Sometimes we are so close to a problem that it becomes hard to look at it, and therefore, we may have a difficult time identifying the solutions. Professional assistance can make the difference between a problem repeating itself, and resolving it for good the first time it occurs.
*This is intended as an easy-to-read summary only. It is not a contract.
The current Teamster Bus Local 214 contract can be viewed