Bus Routing Specialist

JOB TITLE:  Bus Routing Specialist

FLSA CLASSIFICATION:  Exempt (Classified), salaried employee.

WORK DAYS:  261 days (including paid holidays and paid vacation time).

STANDARD HOURS PER DAY: 8 hours per day.

WORK YEAR: The work year for the Bus Routing Specialist begins on the first weekday in July, and ends 12 months later on the last weekday in June.

SALARY SCHEDULE & BENEFITS:   Salaried, non-certified position; benefits provided in accordance with district policy. 

REPORTS TO: The Bus Routing Specialist reports to the Director of Transportation.

SUPERVISES: The Bus Routing Specialist does not supervise any other employees. However, the Bus Routing Specialist is responsible for determining which buses are assigned to which route, the pick-up and drop-off points for each route and any changes to routes.

GENERAL SUMMARY OF DUTIES: 

Under the direction of the Director of Transportation, this position coordinates daily bus dispatch, routes, and communications to ensure safe, timely transportation services for PreK�12 students across the district. The role requires sustained attention to safety, high-volume communication, and frequent problem solving in a fast-paced environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Dispatch and Communication:

1. Coordinates critical routing communication for all district buses transporting students, including approximately 2,400 bus routes, 30,000 bus stops, and an additional 100 daily field trips.
2. Monitors two-way radio communication throughout the workday, serving as the primary information and relay source for bus breakdowns, accidents, incidents, training assignments, garage inspections, medical emergencies, and student behavior issues.
3. Makes real-time decisions regarding the movement and reassignment of equipment and drivers to provide adequate coverage for safe pupil transportation and field trips on a districtwide basis.
4. Responds promptly to radio and telephone calls,  evaluates each situation and works with the Director and Assistant Director to determine the appropriate course of action in accordance with approved operating and safety practices, district and departmental policies.
5. Prioritizes bus operator radio calls and handles 911 emergency calls when the Director or Assistant Director are not available, ensuring timely communication with appropriate authorities.
6. Delivers a high level of customer service to all stakeholders who work with Transportation. 

2. Route and Coverage Coordination:

1. Assists in the daily coordination of coverage for all bus routes to ensure complete and efficient service.
2. Assists in coordinating transportation for all other departmental needs, including activity trips and field trips.
3. Receives and reviews route updates for accuracy, researches discrepancies, and communicates needed changes; tracks and catalogs street closures and other conditions impacting routes, notifying dispatch and relevant staff.
4. Reports and tracks unauthorized absenteeism, accidents, and incidents, and coordinates missing student searches with the Driver Supervisor and appropriate building administrators.

3. Compliance, Safety, and Incident Management:

1. Monitors, and maintains adherence to all applicable federal, state, and district transportation guidelines, policies, and procedures.
2. Ensures student safety through effective, timely response to all emergency situations and immediate contact with appropriate authorities during emergencies.
3. Documents all radio calls, telephone calls, and communications with schools and district staff accurately and in a timely manner.

4. Data, Technology, and Administrative Support:

1. Operates a computer daily to manage  transportation data using Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, VersaTrans, district provided software and other assigned systems.
2. Performs technical and administrative duties to support daily district transportation activities, including data entry, reporting, and record maintenance.
3. Maintains timely and accurate information and records as required by district policies and applicable regulations.
4. Remains current with district technology and  participates in district-provided training to maintain the skill level required for the position.

5. Work Schedule and Conditions:

1. Attends and participates in weekly and bi-weekly meetings.
2. Works a schedule aligned with district transportation operations, which may include early mornings and late afternoons.
3. May be required to work occasional weekend days, evenings, and extended hours to support special events, activity trips, field trips, and emergency or inclement-weather operations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Perform related duties as directed.

ENTRY-LEVEL REQUIREMENTS

1. EDUCATION/TRAINING: High school diploma or GED is required.
2. EXPERIENCE: Two years of experience as a school bus driver or one year experience as radio dispatcher  (or some other experience in a high volume communications center) is preferred.
3. CERTIFICATIONS &/OR LICENSES: Valid driver's license required; CDL preferred.
4. OTHER:
   1. Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize and respond to emergency calls in a timely manner.
   2. Ability to read road maps and possesses thorough knowledge of the roadways of Warren Township.
   3. Proficiency using desktop PC; must have a clear speaking voice.
   4. Ability to meet performance aptitudes and fulfill the physical, sensory, environmental requirements of the job (with or without reasonable accommodations) is required.
       

PERFORMANCE APTITUDES:

1. Data Utilization: Requires the ability to calculate, compute, summate, and/or tabulate data and/or information. Includes the ability to perform subsequent actions in relation to these computational operations.
2. Human Interaction: Requires the ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence.
3. Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
4. Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to  interpret and communicate information using a variety of reference materials.
5. Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may require ability to utilize principles of fractions and/or interpret graphs.
6. Functional Reasoning: Requires ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagrammatic form. Involves semi-routine standardized work with some latitude for independent judgment concerning choices of action.
7. Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Tasks require light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. 

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS: Some tasks require visual perception and discrimination. Some tasks require oral communications ability. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds. 

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: Tasks are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature extremes and noise, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, animals/wildlife, toxic/poisonous agents, violence, disease, or pathogenic substances. The role involves frequent immediate-response situations and fast-paced, sometimes stressful work environment.