Route Dispatcher

Overview

Job Description

Hamilton County Schools, located in Chattanooga, TN, is working to ensure that all students thrive and experience a future without limits. We are committed to excellence for every student and are seeking outstanding leaders, teachers, support staff, and district employees who desire to make a difference in the lives of students. With nearly 75 schools, we are confident that you can find your place in Hamilton County.

Learn more about working for Hamilton County Schools at careers.hcde.org and get to know us and our strategic plan, Opportunity 2030.

The purpose of this job is to develop school bus routes and bus schedules for transportation of students and perform secretarial duties including payroll, answering phones and other general duties as needed.

Responsibilities

• Acts in a professional, respectful, and welcoming manner at all times.
• Creates a customer-focused climate and provides quality services and support to school and other stakeholders.
• Complies with applicable district, state, and federal codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
• Develops bus routes and schedules for maximum efficiency and safety; maintains computer data pertaining to students’ address, bus stops, current routes, available buses/drivers, and related data; reviews new roads and new subdivision plats for incorporation into bus routing.
• Recommends safe/appropriate bus stops for each student to supervisor; enters newly assigned bus stops in computer.
• Coordinates transportation needs for special education students with the Exceptional Education Department.
• Assigns routes for each bus based on computer data; changes routes or reassigns buses as needed.
• Drives to various areas to evaluate potential routes/stops and to calculate driving time; verifies actual run times and mileages as compared with computer data.
• Prepares, updates, and distributes bus route sheets and related information as appropriate.
• Performs customer service functions associated with school bus transportation services; provides information to parents, school personnel, and citizens regarding school zones, bus routes, bus stop locations, bus schedules, or other aspects of student transportation; responds to questions and complaints; researches problems and initiates problem resolution.
• Provides drivers with information concerning bus routes, bus stops, arrival/departure times, specific route instructions, and local maps; prepares maps for drivers.
• Notifies schools of late bus arrivals.
• Provides secretarial support to supervisor which includes: coordinating meetings/appointments, maintaining filing system, answering telephone, scheduling transportation conference trips.
• Assists with payroll functions including: office staff, capacity, and mileage payrolls.
• Monitors and receives vehicle inspection reports. Tracks Medical certification renewals for drivers and sends to the state.
• Updates driver files including: copies of state certification cards, driver licenses, physical renewals, MVR request forms.
• Assists in requesting driver motor vehicle reports annually.
• Assists with bus additions/removals in THP system with state. Assists with bus additions/removals with Risk Management.
• Assists supervisor with driver complaint forms and stop arm violations as needed.
• Communicates with drivers regarding absences, breakdowns, student address concerns, and sub driver information.
• Sends out letters to parents regarding bus safety stop concerns or parents not being present at bus stops.
• Communicates through the proper channels to keep supervisor and other appropriate personnel informed of impending problems or events of unusual nature.
• Follows established procedures for ensuring assigned areas are safe.
• Works collaboratively with school staff, students, parents, and other stakeholders.
• Attends work and arrives to work on time.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Adheres to the Teacher Code of Ethics as defined by Tennessee Law.
• Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, bus route sheets, route directions, maps, bus stop request forms, driver information sheets, complaint forms, or other documents.
• Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, student load count reports, bus capacity information, bus route directions, maps, policies, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
• Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data; verifies accuracy of entered data and makes corrections; utilizes word processing, spreadsheet, computerized routing, or other programs; performs basic maintenance of computer system and office equipment, such as backing up data or replacing paper, ink, or toner; coordinates service/repair activities as needed.
• Performs general/clerical tasks, which may include answering telephone calls, typing documents, making copies, sending/receiving faxes, filing documentation, or processing incoming/outgoing mail.
• Provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  

Knowledge/Education/Experience

Qualifications

Four year degree or Associate’s Degree preferred. High school diploma or GED required; supplemented by one (1) year previous experience and/or training involving school transportation coordination, computerized trip routing, school bus driving, and personal computer operations; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. May require a valid driver’s license.

Skills/Qualifications

• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to respond to angry, upset, parents or others in a calm, courteous, respectful manner.
• Ability to identify and resolve problems within assigned area.
• Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Ability to calculate decimals and percentages.
  
  

Compensation

Salary is based on a combination of relevant education and experience.

Grade D

Salary Scale