Transit Communications Trainee - Bus or Police Dispatcher

Description

Embark on an exhilarating journey as a Bus Dispatcher, Police Dispatcher, or Dispatcher Trainee, where each day brings dynamic challenges and opportunities for service to your community.

As a Trainee, you will receive hands-on training to master the art of coordinating emergency and non-emergency transit calls, operating state-of-the-art communication equipment, and connecting Employees and Riders to the resources and to the help that they need. You will play a pivotal role in driving the success of our Transit Communications Center (TCC) and contributing to the overall excellence of UTA.

Once you move on from the trainee role, you will either focus on Fixed Route Bus Operations Dispatching or Emergency and Public Safety Police Dispatching. Advancing to Fixed Route Bus Operations or Police Dispatcher level is based on meeting the minimum qualifications, satisfactory job performance, and a 1-year training and probationary period.

Join us for an impactful journey where what you do truly matters, both to UTA and to the public, and where you will be right at the heart of our transit operations and services.

As a TCC Dispatcher Trainee you will

• Train and learn Transit Police dispatch and/or Fixed Route Bus Operations Dispatch.
• Under general supervision, trainees learn to perform dispatching duties for both emergency and non-emergency transit calls.
• Trainees operate a variety of communication equipment, including radio, telephone, and computer systems.
• Assist in coordinating continuous operation and support services for various transit system personnel, such as bus operators, transit police, operations supervisors, paratransit coordinators, and rail controllers.
• Actively participate in resolving problems as they arise within the transit system.
• Receive, prioritize, and respond to routine and emergency calls, dispatching transit police officers and/or operations personnel as needed.
• Handle inquiries requiring research on warrants, UTA violation history, criminal history, mapping systems, system detour information, and other databases.
• Work with other public agencies outside UTA with transit-related issues upon request.
• Contribute to collecting and disseminating system-related data to all relevant departments.
• Maintain focus, calm, and composure while demonstrating compassion and efficiency, especially during stressful, fast-paced, and unpredictable situations.
  
  

In addition to the duties listed as a trainee, as a Fixed Route Bus Operations Dispatcher, you will:

• Specialize in the performance of non-emergency calls and dispatch appropriate personnel/resources to assist our drivers as situations arise.
  
  

Coordinate continuous operation and system support services for bus operators, operations supervisors, paratransit coordinators, rail controllers and/or other persons in the transit system in resolving problems. * Receive, prioritize, and respond to all routine calls and as needed to minimize delays due to breakdowns, detours, work coverage, accidents, emergencies, changing road conditions and other interruptions.

In addition to the duties listed as a trainee, as an Emergency and Public Safety Police Dispatcher you will:

• Specialize in the performance of emergency transit calls and dispatch appropriate first responder personnel/resources to assist our riders and drivers as situations arise.
• Coordinate continuous operation and system support services for transit police, other first responder personnel in the transit system in resolving emergency problems.
• Receive, prioritize, and respond to all Emergency calls to provide emergency assistance as needed.
• Receive and respond to inquiries requiring research of warrants, UTA violation history and criminal history, mapping systems, system detour information, and other databases.
  
  

Experience/Education/Training

Minimum Qualifications

To be hired as a TCC Dispatcher Trainee, you must have:

• Two years in customer service solving problems and giving direction.
• High School Diploma or equivalent plus two years post-high school training or college education with emphasis on communications and/or business management, or related fields preferred.
• Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification preferred or ability to obtain within 1 year.
• POST Dispatch Certification preferred or the ability to obtain within 1 year.
• CPR/First Aid Certification preferred or the ability to obtain within 1 year.
• Bilingual English/Spanish Speaking Preferred, but not required
  
  

In Addition To The Education And Certification Requirements Listed Under The Trainee Above, To Be Hired Directly To a Position As a Fixed Route Bus Dispatcher You Must Have:

• 2 years of fixed route bus dispatch experience or similar experience outside of UTA, with experience in solving problems and giving direction, or 1 year experience as a Dispatcher in either the Emergency and Public Safety or Fixed Route Bus Operations functions at UTA specifically.
• Bilingual English/Spanish Speaking Preferred, but not required
  
  

In Addition To The Education And Certification Requirements Listed Under The Trainee Above, To Be Hired Directly To a Position As An Emergency And Public Safety Police Dispatcher, You Must Have:

• 2 years of Emergency or Public Safety Dispatch experience or similar experience, with experience in solving problems and giving direction, or 1 year experience as a Dispatcher in either the Emergency and Public Safety or Fixed Route Bus Operations functions at UTA specifically.
• Bilingual English/Spanish Speaking Preferred, but not required
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Fixed Route Bus Operations Dispatchers

• Strong knowledge of all Fixed Route Bus Operations Systems and routes preferred.
• Continuously demonstrate all operational required training, certifications, and core competencies
• Strong knowledge of bus equipment to assist operators with mechanical issues preferred.
• Able to orient yourself using a mapping system and can give instruction to drivers.
• Vehicle maintenance familiarity and experience dealing with vehicle related issues.
  
  

Emergency and Public Safety Police Dispatchers

• Strong knowledge of all police required training, procedures, methods, certifications, and core competencies.
• Strong understanding and able to interpret Utah Criminal Code, BCI / UCJIS manuals, and maps.
• Become POST certified as a dispatcher through the state of Utah and maintain certification if not already certified.
  
  

All Dispatchers and Trainees

• Basic proficiency in MS Word and Excel preferred.
• Excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing, including able to remain calm and rational in emergency situations and communicate with incoherent, emotionally distraught, hysterical, unresponsive, or non-receptive individuals.
• 40 WPM preferred.
  
  

Work Schedule

• Dispatchers and Trainees work in a control room setting, which operates 24/7/365.
• Shifts are generally 4 10-hour shifts, determined by seniority with a shift bid, which occurs on an as-needed basis.
• You must be willing to work nights, early mornings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
  
  

Background Check Requirements (All Dispatchers and Trainees)

• Have no convictions for a civil or criminal offense involving dishonesty, unlawful sexual conduct, physical violence to include domestic violence, DUI, or unlawful sale or possession of a controlled substance within the past 5 years.
• As a Public Transit Organization, UTA is required to conduct background screening on all applicants we offer employment. This background screening will include a criminal background check and FTA drug and alcohol screening.
• Because this position works directly with Law Enforcement, employment may be contingent on passing a more comprehensive background investigation, including:
• Psychological testing
• Social Media review
• In person reference and acquaintance interviews
• Prior employment history
• Motor vehicle history investigation
• BCI Criminal History
• OR -
  
  

An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

[UTA reserves the right to determine the equivalencies of education and experience.]

A hiring roster may be used for up to 18 months, meaning UTA may consider you for future openings in this department for up to 18 months after you apply

As a full-time Administrative Employee, your Total Rewards Benefits Package will include:

• Health, dental, vision, life/AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance (eligible after 30 days of employment), with Flexible Spending and Dependent Care accounts. Choice between Traditional Co-Pay or High Deductible Health Plans for medical coverage. HSA with company match available to employees enrolled in the HDHP. Benefit plans include coverage for domestic partners (eligibility affidavit required for coverage).
• Onsite Health and Wellness Clinics for medical care at no cost to employees, spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children.
• 22 days of accrued paid time off (13 vacation days and 9 sick days), which increases with tenure at UTA.
• 10 paid holidays and two paid (2) floating holidays per year.
• Retirement options - Pension Plan with 5-year vesting schedule and 457 Contribution Plan, available for immediate contributions and company matching.
• Generous tuition reimbursement for higher education, available for any higher education degree (bachelor, master, or PHD). Course of study must be approved prior to enrollment.
• Training, development, and career advancement opportunities.
• Paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and child placement (after 12 months of employment).
• Free transit passes for employees, their spouses, and their dependent children.
• Employee assistance program - includes counseling, legal services, financial planning, etc.
• UTA Well - a comprehensive wellness program designed to support employees and dependents in their health and wellness goals.
• Free on-site fitness facilities and discounted membership to VASA Fitness and EoS Fitness.
• Discounted cell phone plans with T-Mobile and AT&T.
• Pet insurance plan options (tailored plan coverage based on pet's health and needs).
  
  

For more information on UTA's Total Rewards benefits package, please visit: https://jobs.jobvite.com/rideuta/#benefits

Pay Rate

Transit Communication Center Dispatch Trainee: Starting at $22.404

Transit Communication Center (Bus or Police) Dispatcher: Starting at $25.144

If interested, please apply before: Monday April 21st, 2025 @ 5:59 PM MST

• UTA promotes equal employment opportunities through its employment practices to current employees as well as internal and external applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, status as a parent, or genetic information. Applicants needing an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act for any part of the application process should contact UTA Human Resources at 801-287-2324. A minimum of two workdays' notice prior to the need for the accommodation is required.
• Utah Transit Authority is a drug-free workplace, subject to federal drug and alcohol testing regulations under 49 CFR Part 40, 655, and 219. All offers for employment are contingent upon a successful pre-employment drug test. If a pre-employment test returns a non-negative result, an application for employment may be rejected. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident testing for drug and alcohol use. All safety sensitive employees are subject to random testing for drug and alcohol use.
  
  

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