OCC Dispatcher

GENERAL SUMMARY

The primary responsibility of the OCC Dispatcher is to assign work to bus operators and coordinate schedules/trip plans for effective and efficient service. The Dispatcher is also responsible for coordinating and communicating between and among operating entities and maintaining effective and efficient service.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

This job description intends to provide a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities employees perform in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Employee essential job duties and responsibilities are required to be performed onsite at the KCATA.

• Provides operators with information regarding operational changes, hazards, problems, assignments, and requirements to see management personnel.
• Prepares all sign-on/off sheets and time sheets. Ensures proper records regarding operators are maintained.
• Coordinates activities and communications between district supervisors, maintenance personnel, operators, and radio dispatchers to ensure effective and efficient operation of the system.
• Investigates accidents, incidents, passenger disputes, and disturbances regarding RideKC. Coordinates with police agencies regarding assaults, disturbances, and undercover operations.
• Audits service, routes, and road conditions and recommends alternate routes to dispatch or suggests service improvements.
• Prepares daily work assignments with available personnel to perform work assignments according to the collective bargaining unit agreement guidelines.
• Monitors operations system performance to identify and resolve problems while ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness. A few examples, but not all-inclusive, would be late/early pull-out, Route OTP, route adherence, vehicle location, current route(s) etc.
• Responds to incoming calls on the radio as received to coordinate information regarding on-street operations. Takes immediate action after calls are received to ensure t h e personal safety of bus operators, other employees, and passengers.
• Gathers relevant information, communicates, and prepares written reports for accidents and incident occurrences to assess unusual conditions, injuries, or excessive property damage.

• Ensures work is aligned in accordance with the collective bargaining unit agreement.
• Answers incoming calls to RideKC Flex, explains how the service operates and informs the caller how to access it.
• Collects, coordinates, and communicates daily to ensure effective and efficient operation including subscriber, reservation and service request information, and schedules trips and cancellations daily to accurately maintain the Flex database accurately.
• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work requires providing guidance and the potential to oversee another employee. This position may oversee work quality, training, instructing, and work assignments.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

• Position has minimum fiscal responsibility.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent
• One (1) to three (3) years of experience in dispatching.
• An equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities may be considered.

Required Licenses or Certifications

• Valid Driver’s License

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of:

• Thorough knowledge of the Greater Kansas City area.
• Safety rules, violations, procedures, and policies.
• English grammar, spelling, punctuation.
• Principles and practices of basic bookkeeping.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
• Investigation techniques.

Skill in:

• Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships.
• Conflict resolution.
• Performing basic mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, and ratios.
• Organization and time management.
• Customer service.

Ability to:

• Meet schedules and deadlines of the work.
• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements.
• Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files.
• Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Interact professionally with various levels of KCATA employees and outside representatives.
• Prepare comprehensive reports and correspondence.
• Operate radio.

POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

• Will work in a normal office environment and/or remote office as approved. Will sometimes be required to work and/or attend meetings or events in public and at all RideKC locations.
• Varied shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays may be required.
• Abnormal hours are expected and required for specific events and to reach all employees.

TRAVEL

• Travel within the metropolitan area may be required.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• This position requires occasional exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards and requires medium physical effort. Incumbents may be required to exert up to 35 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK AUTHORIZATION/SECURITY CLEARANCE (IF APPLICABLE)

EEO STATEMENT

KCATA is an equal opportunity employer.