Dispatcher - Transportation

• Forbes names Mesa Public Schools in their list of Best Employers in Arizona for multiple years.
• East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years.

Job Summary:

To dispatch bus routes to bus drivers and monitors to ensure coverage required to meet transportation scheduling.

All Transportation employees may be subject to pre-employment drug testing and alcohol testing, as well as random testing throughout employment. Due to federal safety regulation, this includes marijuana/THC/CBD. Any employee having a confirmed positive test shall not be eligible for employment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Regular and on-time attendance required
• Dispatch routes and trips, control keys and routes in dispatch area
• Answers high-volume calls
• Communicate effectively with students, staff, parents, school administrators, and community members
• Physically hand out key to driver prior to each trip
• Arrange for substitute bus drivers and monitors and assign them to their proper route and schedules
• Alter, reroute and rearrange schedules as necessary, schedule and dispatch field trips as needed
• Coordinate accidents and emergencies and submit reports to supervisors
• Coordinate with lead mechanic to schedule vehicle maintenance and road services
• Drive any school bus and/or any school van safely to transport students over any scheduled routes and/or any special excursions (field trips, athletic events) for absent bus drivers
• Keep routes and driver schedules updated on a daily basis
• Assist in the resolution of discipline and varied transportation problems
• Keep daily logbook of spare buses, relief drivers, changes made in operations, route changes, driver problems, accidents, lost students, service calls by shop, extra work done by drivers when requested and police reports or calls
• Maintain current information about roads
• Keep bulletin boards and forms in dispatch area updated
• Assist other personnel as may be required for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities
• Attend all training programs to meet requirements and maintain school bus certifications
• Perform other related duties, as assigned, to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit
• Assists with other assigned duties as appropriate to the area of assignment and Mesa Public Schools

Required Qualifications:

• High School education or equivalent preferred
• Valid Arizona Drivers License with clean driving record a minimum of one year driving experience and be at least 21 years of age
• Must currently hold, or be able to obtain and maintain, a Class B CDL with Passenger and School Bus endorsements.
• Must meet requirements for School Bus Driver Certification (i.e. pass first aide, CPR, and IVP fingerprint card)
• Pay for a medical certificate form with a minimum of one year expiration date
• You must be able to pass a physical performance test in accordance with the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Arizona Administrative Code
• Minimum of one year driving experience in Arizona

Preferred Qualifications:

• Dispatch experience and/or technical dispatch training

Skills & Competencies:

• Models the attributes and skills of the MPS Portrait of a Graduate
• Demonstrates commitment to the MPS Promise that every student is known by name, served by strength and need, and graduates ready for college, career and community
• Ability to organize, prioritize and to meet time and/or workload schedules while working with constant interruptions and time constraints
• Ability to effectively communicate (written and verbal) with students, parents and district personnel at all levels; maintain confidentiality
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Ability to read and understand routes, maps and schedules; knowledge of street and school locations within the district helpful
• Computer proficiency to include use of basic software applications
• Working knowledge of office procedures; ability to operate standard office equipment; ability to operate two-way radio
• Ability to work assigned schedule which may include weekends and holidays
• Knowledge of DPS Minimum Standards for School Bus Drivers helpful
• Knowledge of district policies and procedures to include transportation department regulations helpful
• Ability to work split shift every weekday, with varying work and driving assignments (ie. early morning, late afternoon and evening)

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

This position requires a range of physical abilities to perform the essential duties.

Physical Demands: You may be required to do the following tasks frequently:

• Ability to pull, reach, push, bend, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb, drive, and sit for extended periods. Most duties are sedentary; such as desk work, computer use, and answering phones/radios; but the position also requires driving as needed
• Using repetitive hand motions or manual dexterity
• Strong reflexes for steering, braking, and maneuvering the vehicle safely
• Speaking, hearing, and seeing (with or without correction)
• Maintaining focus for extended periods
• Occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays for extracurricular events, out of district schedules or emergencies

Lifting & Force: The job involves lifting and moving objects with the following frequency:

• Occasionally: up to 50 pounds of force
• Frequently: up to 30 pounds of force
• Constantly: up to 30 pounds of force

Working Environment: You may encounter some of the following conditions:

• Drivers work both inside the vehicle and outdoors when inspecting or fueling the vehicle
• Travel, odors, dust, and outside elements
• Limited workspace, loud noises, and bloodborne pathogens

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.