Transportation - School Bus Dispatcher

North Little Rock School District

Job Title: Transportation - School Bus Dispatcher

Department: Transportation

Job Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports to: Administrative Director of Transportation

Grade/Level: P-12

Amount of Travel Required: Varies

Work Schedule: As determined by the Administrative Director of Transportation

Positions Supervised: None

Salary Schedule: 4TV

Purpose: The School Bus Dispatcher ensures the efficient operation of the North Little Rock School District's transportation services by staffing bus routes and managing daily transportation operations to minimize disruptions.

Nature & Scope: The School Bus Dispatcher works under general supervision, adhering to policies, procedures, and regulations. Independent judgment and decision-making are required in areas without established guidelines. This role involves interaction with department staff, school staff, parents, and public entities. While the dispatcher does not have supervisory responsibilities, they assist in operational management and provide leadership and direction to Bus Drivers.

Essential Job Functions:

• Acts in the best interest of students, upholding the highest traditions of public education and supporting the District’s mission.
• Coordinates personnel and equipment to transport students to and from school on District buses.
• Ensures all bus routes are staffed with buses and drivers, ensuring smooth daily transportation operations.
• Assesses Bus Driver fitness to drive, providing keys daily after ascertaining fitness and following protocols when a driver appears unfit.
• Maintains communication with drivers via two-way radio, assisting with breakdowns, accidents, route changes, and emergencies.
• Assists in resolving student discipline issues, parental questions and complaints, equipment failures, and route changes.
• Acts as the primary liaison between school parents and the Transportation Department, resolving transportation issues.
• Uses electronic notification systems to issue alerts about transportation issues.
• Serves as the key contact for school personnel to resolve transportation issues.
• Maintains an electronic database of transportation data, including driver assignments and student attendance on routes.
• Schedules and assigns drivers for special activities, including field trips and athletic events.
• Manages the process of securing charter carriers as necessary.
• Utilizes computer-guided routing software to provide guidance to drivers and formulate route changes due to traffic accidents or road construction.
• Drives scheduled bus routes as necessary.
• Maintains effective working relationships with department members, school personnel, and community members, including those from diverse backgrounds or with limited English proficiency
• Assist, when required, as a substitute driver on route(s) or trips. 
• Complies with all District policies, procedures, and professional conduct codes.

The above statements reflect general job functions but are not an all-inclusive list of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or balance workloads.

Position Qualifications:

• Must obtain all other necessary certifications and licenses to operate a school bus in Arkansas, including compliance with new regulations enacted after the start of employment.
• Must be familiar with computerized record-keeping and spreadsheets.
• Must be able to read, understand, and follow multi-step written and verbal instructions in English.
• Must adhere to established safety practices. 
• Must comply with District, state, and national vehicle safety regulations.
• Must follow routines and meet deadlines and schedules.
• Must maintain composure and act logically under stressful conditions and emergencies.
• Must become familiar with all bus routes and the surrounding geographic area.
• Must demonstrate flexibility to changing work environments.
• Must work accurately with attention to detail.
• Must meet all minimum qualifications for the position of Bus Driver.

Competency Statement(s):

• Customer Oriented - Ability to take care of customers' needs while following company procedures.
• Diversity Oriented - Ability to work effectively with people regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or job type.
• Honesty/Integrity - Ability to be truthful and seen as credible in the workplace.
• Patience - Ability to act calmly under stress and strain, avoiding hastiness or impetuousness.
• Reliability - The trait of being dependable and trustworthy.
• Team Building - Ability to convince a group of people to work toward a goal.

Education:

• High school diploma preferred.

Experience:

• A minimum of three (3) years of experience as a Bus Driver or related experience in the transportation field.
• Experience with computerized record-keeping and spreadsheets.
• Experience in handling communication with drivers, managing breakdowns, accidents, and route changes.
• Experience in resolving student discipline issues, parental questions and complaints, equipment failures, and route changes.
• Experience in using electronic notification systems and computer-guided routing software.
• Experience in coordinating transportation for special activities, including field trips and athletic events.
• Experience in maintaining effective working relationships with diverse groups of people, including those with limited English proficiency.
• Experience in complying with safety practices and vehicle safety regulations.

This job description outlines the responsibilities and qualifications for the School Bus Dispatcher role within the North Little Rock School District’s Transportation Department. Feel free to use and customize it as needed for your organization.

Physical Demands:

Physical Abilities:

• Stand: Frequently (F)
• Walk: Frequently (F)
• Sit: Constantly (C)
• Handling/Fingering: Frequently (F)
• Reach Outward: Frequently (F)
• Reach Above Shoulder: Frequently (F)
• Climb: Occasionally (O)
• Crawl: Occasionally (O)
• Squat or Kneel: Frequently (F)
• Bend: Frequently (F)

Push/Pull:

• 12 lbs or less: Frequently (F)
• 13-25 lbs: Frequently (F)
• 26-40 lbs: Occasionally (O)
• 41-100 lbs: Occasionally (O)

Other Physical Requirements:

• Vision: Near, Distance, Color, Peripheral, Depth Perception
• Sense of Sound: Ability to hear traffic signals, warnings
• Sense of Touch
• Ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Seatbelt

This information outlines the physical demands and requirements associated with the School Bus Dispatcher position, helping potential candidates understand the physical aspects of the job.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is quiet to loud, depending on the activities of the day. 

Salary : $28,889 - $44,696