Dispatcher Our dispatchers maintain daily communications with all route and activity drivers while scheduled routes are being driven for the school and communicate and scheduled trips with drivers for dispatch. They coordinate all bus movements while actively participating in the positive team environment overseen by the Location Manager.
Specific Dispatcher responsibilities include the following:
- Maintain the “People Standard” of the company which includes and is not limited to maintaining a positive attitude, great work ethic, self-motivated, team player, follow through on commitments, and be reliable (partial list). Follow the Service to Children, Customers, & Passengers Policy including the Code of Ethics. Examples include treating children, customers, passengers with respect and fairness always, and will adhere to uniform standards of affection (Appropriate Physical and Verbal Contact listed in the Service to Children, Customers, & Passengers Policy). Follow and maintain a safe, healthy, and secure work environment providing a high level of productivity and efficiency.
- Greets incoming customers or guests to the business establishment and directs those persons to the appropriate staff member. The desired results are no complaints from guests or customers regarding the method and way they were handled at the facility.
- Operates multi-line central answering telephone console to receive incoming messages. Make future appointments and answer inquiries. Maintain daily phone log recording time of day, caller's name and basic information related to the call.
- Types memos, correspondence, reports, and other documents. Collects and distributes mail and messages.
- Performs variety of clerical duties and other duties as assigned by management.
- Maintain daily communication with all drivers regarding their routes, communicating all changes to the driver including updates on student pick-ups, new students and their address, cancellations for the day, requested transfers, school approved modifications in routes or pick-ups.
- Keep the weekly dispatch computerized log updating daily changes of bus routes making notes for any routes that need substitute due to driver absence or emergency leave, schedule sub driver in timely manner. Note absent driver(s) and report this information to the Location Manager. Complete the weekly report of routes and trips for the Dispatch Plan which is required to be sent to corporate weekly.
- Work directly with the Location Manager to assist in updating and maintenance of all route narratives and maps, providing accurate times and pickup and drop off locations, updating changes in all special procedures or locations that effect a route (i.e., student crossings, etc.)
- Remain knowledgeable of the student management information system for the location. Be able to access the data to provide up to date information regarding a student, their address, emergency contacts, parents name, regular attendance school, etc.
- Maintain a log on all trips contained in the company computerized dispatching program, recording all required information. Prepare driver trip slips with all the required information, as required, for the activity trip.
- Disperse trip slips to designated drivers, answer driver questions about the trip, and make all driver reservations for accommodations as may be required for overnight trips. Maintain and apply accurate driver rotation order used at the location in dispatching trips.
- Dispatch maintenance and emergency personnel for needed repairs and/or emergency procedures.
- Provide drivers training on the proper use of required pre/post trip inspections forms of buses, travel forms, logbooks, and expense reimbursement forms.
- Maintain a high degree of confidentiality relating to discussions with management. Refrain from sharing with others (excepting management), personal issues or concerns expressed by employees. By direction and example discourage employees from participating in unconstructive conversations, i.e., gossip.
- Be knowledgeable and skilled in the operation of regular home-to-school bus routes, activity trip driving and pupil management techniques. Drive school bus when needed as a regular or substitute route driver or when directed by the Location Manager.
- Process all trip slips and correlate the trip sheets with timecard/s, verifying times.
- Assist with transportation reports or completing other duties, tasks, or assignments that may be required by the location manager.