Job Overview

This is a responsible position in LCPS Dispatch Center. An employee in this position works as a team member with other Dispatchers to fulfill the communications needs of LCPS and other County agencies. The Dispatcher is responsible for all communications functions for school bus services. This position is technical in nature, requiring regular supervision, and routinely interacts with other employees, agencies, and citizens. Independent judgment is often used with established procedures to varying situations, referring only unusual or unresolved problems to a supervisor. This position handles all emergency calls to fire/rescue/police from school vehicles.

Roles and Responsibilities

The following information is intended to describe the overall nature and scope of the work being performed in relation to the position. This is not a comprehensive listing of all responsibilities or tasks; other work may be assigned when deemed appropriate:

• Responds to calls, both telephone and radio, advising of the necessity for a substitute bus, driver, or attendant, and arranges for replacements.
• Operates a two-way radio console to communicate with bus drivers, school staff, and Transportation personnel.
• Performs switchboard duties to include answering incoming phone calls, and routing them to the person or department needed to properly address concerns; taking detailed messages to share with the appropriate party.
• Provide school bus transportation information to callers as needed.
• Coordinates office, garage, and driver/attendant communications regarding staffing, substitutions, and daily operational adjustments.
• Manages all communications through the dispatch center, to include emergencies, bus accidents, and breakdowns.

Qualifications

Below are the minimum qualifications for this job.  Equivalent combinations of education and experience are also acceptable.

Education
High School diploma or GED required

Experience
Experience in school bus operations/dispatcher related work; or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and/or training to demonstrate the standards, concepts, and guidelines to perform the responsibilities of the position.

Licenses and Certifications
 Virginia Commercial Driver’s License with appropriate endorsement preferred; ability to drive a school bus preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Working knowledge of school bus operations, school locations, county roads, and general geography
• Ability to adjust service schedules; maintain records; obtain and relay accurate information; and work well under pressure of deadlines
• Ability to operate two-way radio and standard office equipment such as personal computer, cameras, fax machine, and multiple software applications
• Good human relations, organizational and communication skills, patience, tact, and sound judgment

Physical Requirements

The following provides a brief description of physical requirements for this position:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly talking, expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. The employee must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly. The employee must possess normal cognitive abilities including the ability to learn, recall and apply certain practices and policies. Frequently sitting and/or remaining in a stationary position for long periods of time. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

Essential Personnel

Employees who perform the responsibilities of this position for the Department of Support Services are considered essential personnel. Essential personnel are designated employees who must report for work during a delay or emergency situations. A workplace emergency is an unforeseen situation that threatens the staff, pupils, or the public; disrupts or shuts down business operations; or causes physical or environmental damage. Emergencies may be natural or manmade. It is incumbent upon the supervisor to inform and confirm which essential personnel are required to work during emergency closings. Notification and confirmation of the expectation of essential personnel to report to work, or maintain as-needed status, will be executed with as much advanced notice as possible via in-person communication or email. 

Reports To: Supervisor, Area Transportation (Dispatch)

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Months/Days/Hours: 12 Months/254 Days/8 Hours Per Day

Salary Level: Universal 8

Salary Scale: https://www.lcps.org/compensation

Salary Range: $26.74 - $34.41