Evening Fixed Route Dispatcher

Under limited supervision by the Operations Supervisor, the Fixed Route Dispatcher performs various technical and clerical duties in carrying out the operation of the dispatch service for the City fixed Route System.
Positions in this class are responsible for receiving and transmitting calls from the public for fixed route bus transportation, handling sales at the Ground Transportation Center, and communicating with fixed route bus operators in real-time.
Incumbents draw upon training, experience and guidelines established by the Department and state and federal transportation agencies to determine the appropriate response to each call.
Primary Responsibilities The Fixed Route Dispatcher is responsible for providing a high level of customer service when taking daily calls from the public and/or fixed route personnel and dispatching 25-30 drivers to provide bus rides under the fixed route system.
During work hours the Fixed Route Dispatcher also is responsible for performing general administrative support, selling fare media, controlling inventory, and responding to the needs of the customers at the customer service window at the Ground Transportation Center (GTC).
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Communicates effectively, professionally, and courteously and maintains working relationships with others in carrying out job functions.
Communicates effectively on and log incidents, accidents, emergencies, and issues to the Operations Supervisor and other management staff.
Frequently interacts and coordinates with supervisors, police, dispatchers, and other staff members in order to provide advanced troubleshooting, procedural explanations, and other detailed information, as required.
Provides excellent customer service to passengers and fellow employees.
Monitors and/or responds to a variety of calls including two-way radios and department phones.
Coordinates between drivers and mechanics to ensure vehicle maintenance issues during revenue service are addressed.
Provides bus schedule information over the phone to customers.
Answers and direct business calls to appropriate personnel.
Coordinates and makes routine and non-routine decisions regarding a variety of activities relating to the routing and the dispatching of vehicles and fixed route bus operators.
Monitors daily fixed route schedules.
Verifies and monitors vehicle locations via two-way radios and tracking software.
Effectively and efficiently resolves problems utilizing established precedent and by working with supervisors, maintenance staff, and appropriate personnel.
Creates and negotiates detours and alternative routes when necessary, drawing upon logical reasoning and judgement and taking into account various objectives.
Completes and analyzes a variety of daily reports and carries out department specific clerical duties.
Processes sales of bus passes to customers and agencies.
Monitors arrival and departure times of fixed route bus operators for accuracy.
Participates in training activities.
Performs all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices.
Knows and follows department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss; Wears proper protective equipment when policy requires or conditions indicate a need exists and utilizes proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work; When potentially unsafe conditions are observed makes efforts to avoid or correct them if they are controllable and draws them to the attention of the responsible supervisor or safety representative in a timely manner.
Performs other duties and activities as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications The Transit Dispatcher must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent (G.
E.
D.
) and .
4 or more years of experience working with the public, or equivalent experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
Knowledge, skills and ability include: Knowledge of the concepts and principles of fixed route and paratransit operations; Skill in Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel and Access; Skill in operating computer terminal sufficient to enter, retrieve and manipulate data; Skill in English, both written and spoken; Skill in providing customer service; Skill in handling cash and credit card transactions; Skill in problem solving; Ability to communicate and interact effectively with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, and others, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
Duties as assigned Physical Demands This job is performed in a normal office environment, with a majority of time spent speaking to others on a telephone or two-way communication system.
There is considerable attention to detail and deadlines.
Activities the incumbent must perform include fingering, grasping, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing and using repetitive motions.
Sedentary Work: This job is rated for Sedentary Work, meaning that walking and standing are required only occasionally and the job involves sitting most of the time.
The incumbent must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.
All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required.
To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.
This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship.
The City Administrator retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.
The City of Fargo offers a comprehensive benefit package, to include participation in the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System.