Dispatcher, Transportation Assistance Program

NOTE:  New hires are budgeted to start in the $22-25/hour range, depending upon experience.

Homage Senior Services, formerly Senior Services of Snohomish County is the largest and most comprehensive nonprofit service provider for older adults, people with disabilities, and their families in Snohomish County. Our guiding principles of independence, dignity, and quality of life are realized through our interconnected core service areas: nutrition, transportation, home repair, and social services. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace and offer you the opportunity to work to your fullest potential while making a difference in the community.

Summary:

This position provides daily dispatching and scheduling support to the Transportation Assistance Program (TAP) to ensure smooth functioning of the program.  Requires high level of proficiency, attention to detail, and organization.  Must be able to successfully multi-task and work well with others in a fast-paced environment. Provides backup for drivers due to vacations, illness, or other scheduling needs; must successfully complete a criminal background check, motor vehicle abstract (clean driving record), DOT physical, and TB testing. This is a part-time position with a typical schedule of 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm (or later), Monday – Friday.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Schedules service requests using manual and automated scheduling system
• Communicates schedules with appropriate volunteers and staff
• Assists with coordinating trip transfers with other transportation agencies
• Counts money, provides receipts, and processes donations
• Responds to program information inquiries
• Performs a wide range of administrative duties including data entry and editing, document creation and updating, filing and copying
• Works closely with agency staff in receiving transportation requests
• Works cooperatively with TAP clients, volunteer and staff drivers
• Safely drive vehicles over specified routes as needed for driver backup (approx. 5%)
• Regular and routine attendance
• Other duties as assigned

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school graduate or equivalent
• One or more years of experience in general office settings
• Demonstrate sufficient patience and care in working with older adults and persons with disabilities
• Ability to read maps and have a working knowledge of King and Snohomish Counties as well as major medical destinations, businesses, and organizations as it relates to efficient scheduling
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• Demonstrated customer service skills and ability to receive telephone calls from the public, respond to inquiries, and communicate with coworkers and others by telephone and email
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to read, write, and speak English language to sufficiently be able to read information contained in rules and regulations; to understand and respond accurately to inquiries, and to handle equipment and documents
• Ability to accurately maintain data in database software programs
• Ability to organize office files and maintain records
• Ability to perform daily job responsibilities and problem-solve in sensitive situations with frequent interruptions
• Effective working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word, PowerPoint); comfortable navigating in Microsoft Windows environment and using internet browsers. 
• Must be fully vaccinated per program or agency requirements.

Absent any regulatory or contractual requirement for specific education/certification, other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Transportation industry experience, especially paratransit
• Working knowledge of EcoLane or comparable CAD-AVL software a plus
• Experience working with older adults and/or disabled adults
• Experience with diverse communities
• Fluency in other languages in addition to English

Work environment and physical demands:

• This work is performed primarily in an office environment, and when driving, in public venues.
• When necessary, the ability to work in a semi-open office setting with frequent in-person interactions.
• May occasionally need to push/pull wheelchair with passengers and secure wheelchairs in vehicle.
• Must be able to use full range of senses including hearing, sight, touch and smell as needed to complete the job's essential duties.
• Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds occasionally for moving safety equipment/office supplies/files.
• When driving, may be subject to wet, cold, and/or hot environments; vehicle exhaust fumes and odors and road dust; and low but potential risk of injury due to vehicle accident, mechanical failure, etc. 

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS

Employees working 25 hours or more are eligible to enroll in medical, dental, vision, basic life, and critical illness insurance, with an increased cost share for employees scheduled for 25-29 hours/week. Employees working 20 hours or more per week receive 11 designated paid holidays plus 2 "floating holidays" per year, as well as paid vacation and sick time. Employees age 21 and older are able to enroll in our 401K plan upon hire and, after one year and at least 1000 hours worked, will be eligible for our matching program.

New hires are budgeted to start in the $22-25/hour range, depending upon experience.