Be at the Heart of Community Mobility – Join Pierce Transit as a Specialized Transportation Dispatcher

At Pierce Transit, every ride matters, and as a Specialized Transportation Dispatcher, you play a crucial role in ensuring individuals with mobility challenges can get where they need to go—whether it's for medical care, recreation, visiting family, or running daily errands. Your coordination helps deliver the safe, reliable, and accessible transportation our riders depend on to stay connected and independent.

In this vital position, you'll help keep our SHUTTLE and other Specialized Transportation services running safely and efficiently. From assigning vehicles and monitoring service delivery to resolving real-time issues and supporting operators in the field, your work directly supports the well-being and independence of individuals across our community.

If you're organized, solutions-focused, and motivated by making a difference in people's daily lives, we invite you to bring your skills to a team that values service, inclusion, and operational excellence.

BENEFITS:
At Pierce Transit, our employees’ health is important to us too!
That’s why we offer two on-site employee fitness rooms and an incredible Wellness Program in addition to excellent medical, dental, and vision packages.

If your career goals change while you’re employed, we are here to help. Pierce Transit offers $5,000 per year (up to a total of $18,000) in Tuition Assistance after your one-year anniversary. Certifications, and career skills must be connected to a position at Pierce Transit.

All of Pierce Transit are required to participate in the Washington State Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Pierce Transit offers two Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) plans to choose from, PERS2 and PERS3, as well as a matching program for 457 deferred compensation.

Employees are not covered under the Social Security System except for a 1.45% payment for Medicare.

Pierce Transit provides an ORCA Card benefit for each employee and a family member. This benefit provides free access to service on Pierce Transit, Sound Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro, Kitsap Transit, Seattle Monorail, Seattle Streetcar, King County Water Taxi and Kitsap Foot Ferry.

PAID LEAVE:
Full-time Pierce Transit employees are eligible to receive 11 paid holidays, 2 personal paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, 12 vacation days per year, and the ability to earn up to 2 Wellness Days by participating in a qualifying wellness activity and the annual survey. Part-time employees, receive pro-rated leave, to include sick leave, vacation, personal holiday and holiday pay. Vacation leave accrual rates increase per the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement.

REPRESENTATION:
This position is represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Local #758.

The following functions are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Assigns vehicles to transit operator personnel; develops work schedules and assigns them to operators; receives incoming requests for passenger pickups.
• Prepares reports and forms that support the Specialized Transportation operation and handling passenger/ operator complaints; receives and analyzes operator, staff, or passenger complaints and recommends corrective action.
• Assures that Agency standards of safety, courtesy and reliability are met by daily monitoring of Specialized Transportation staff and contracted vendors for adherence to Agency policies, rules, regulations and schedules; provides coaching, recommends necessary corrective actions and forwarding for necessary follow-up.
• Identifies operators' training and support needs and coordinates provision of appropriate assistance.
• Confers with Paratransit Drivers regarding proper safety procedures, defensive driving techniques, customer relations issues, report preparation and schedules; counsels and recommends corrective action when necessary. Provides recommendations on new and/or revised policies and procedures.
• Evaluates service changes and/or service delivery and recommends improvements.
• Monitors the computerized information system; coordinates with the Maintenance Department for SHUTTLE van repairs.
• Coordinates and monitors accident or other emergency scenes, ensuring safety and security of Paratransit Drivers, customers and Agency equipment; provides complete, accurate documentation related to the accident and ensures necessary notifications are made; reroutes buses or vans in response to field conditions.
• Prepares and executes contingency plans for unexpected weather and route conditions, equipment failure, operator illness and similar occurrences.
• Assists operators in courteously gaining passenger cooperation by advising customers regarding Agency policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Works with law enforcement or Public Safety Officers to provide security to Paratransit Drivers and customers.
• Meets with team members to evaluate service and resolve problems.
• Carries out special projects; prepares regular and special oral and written reports; documents daily Operations activities.
  
  OTHER FUNCTIONS
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required:

High School diploma or equivalent and eighteen (18) months of experience in transit operations with Pierce Transit or another transportation industry.

Internal Applicants:

Applicant must have performance history which demonstrates integrity, accountability, safety and responsible behaviors while employed at Pierce Transit.

Desired:

Leadership experience in some capacity advising others, planning, overseeing and/or reviewing their activities. Paratransit or dispatching experience preferred.

Special Requirements:

This job is considered safety sensitive, covered by the Agency’s drug and alcohol program and subject to testing according to federal regulations and Pierce Transit Policy.

Knowledge of:

• Pierce County area and roads;
• Safety rules and procedures required in the transportation of passengers;
• Operations Department policies, procedures, rules, and regulations;
• Policies and procedures specific to the Specialized Transportation Department

Skill in:

• Computer skills; word processing; electronic messaging; data entry; database interfacing

Ability to:

• Plan, organize and guide the activities of others;
• Counsel, advise, train and motivate a team of Transit Operators regarding performance and procedures;
• Communicate and interact effectively and respectfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, across all organizational levels and socio-economic statuses;
• Provide sensitive and inclusive services to older adults and individuals with physical, mental or developmental disabilities; recognize problems and recommend solutions;
• Understand, interpret and apply contracts, laws, policies, procedures and regulations; exercise sound judgment in stressful situations;
• Communicate effectively orally both individually or in small groups and in writing;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships;
• Pass a job related examination;
• Pass federally required drug and alcohol testing mandates

Education
Any required education must come from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U S Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or foreign equivalent.

Application Instructions
To be considered for this vacancy, you must apply online:

1. The online application must include a chronological work history and/or education, applicants must also attach resumes and/or cover letters as required to be considered for this position.
2. Applicants must also attach a cover letter stating how they meet the qualifications for the position in order to be considered.
3. At least 3 professional references to include a current or recent supervisor with names, phone numbers and email addresses.

READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION COMPLETELY:

• Carefully review your application for accuracy, spelling and grammar before submitting.
• Please ensure that your work history has been updated to include employment end dates as applicable.
• The initial screening of applications will be solely based on the information provided in the supplemental questions and the content and completeness of the "work experience" and "education" sections of your application at www.piercetransit/careers/.
• A resume will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section of the application.
• All information may be verified, and documentation may be required.

For questions regarding this recruitment or assistance with the application process, please contact Pierce Transit Employee Services @ 253-581-8095 or jobs@piercetransit.org

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or emailsupport@neogov.com.

Pierce Transit Is An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
Pierce Transit has a strong commitment to the community we serve and our employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.

Pierce Transit's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay and all other forms of compensation, including benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment.