GROUP 15 - TRANSPORTATION ROUTE ANALYST

Job Details

The Durham District School Board acknowledges that many Indigenous Nations have longstanding relationships, both historic and modern, with the territories upon which our school board and schools are located. Today, this area is home to many Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island. We acknowledge that the Durham Region forms a part of the traditional and treaty territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, the Mississauga Peoples and the treaty territory of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation. It is on these ancestral and treaty lands that we teach, live and learn.

This statement was co-created in partnership with the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Manager of Operations, Durham Student Transportation Services, the position is responsible for the planning of safe and efficient transportation of students daily, planning, administering, reviewing and monitoring all bus routes within an assigned geographic area. The position will provide planning expertise in all aspects of student transportation using projected enrolment and/or ridership, vehicle utilization and capacity, transportation accommodation and student safety with the goal of maximizing route effectiveness and efficiency while adhering to Ministry of Transportation and Highway Traffic Act regulations. Responds to inquiries from parents, schools, municipalities, member boards and bus operator staff. Maintains computerized transportation data, including data analysis and statistical reporting. Investigates all operational and safety concerns for the assigned geographic area.

Route Planning and Data Integrity

• Develop and implement transportation route planning, based on an analysis of community areas, including all geographical attributes such as roadways, pedestrian walkways, municipal specific issues (such as speed limits, traffic patterns etc.) and any identified safety hazards;
• Plan, optimize and review school bus runs and bus routes to ensure safety and efficiency;
• Research and develop innovative and cost effective transportation solutions to address the needs of students and school boards;
• Determine and implement vehicle requirements based on student numbers, growth trends, special needs, program requirements and consortium and partner board policies/procedures;
• Conduct on board route audits to ensure driver and contract compliance;
• Conduct GPS data audits on route metrics, analyze planned versus actual performance and address any issues through route modification or compliance with bus operators;
• Conduct field studies to determine hazard areas and the safest and most efficient bus stop locations;
• Develop and maintain school attendance/transportation boundaries within the Geographic Information System (GIS) based routing software in accordance with consortium and partner board policies and procedures;
• On a daily basis, manage inquiries from operators, schools, parents and other stakeholders, making changes to the transportation solution as required;
• Interpret and apply consortium and partner board policies and procedures with respect to transportation planning, requests and changes;
• Generate reports from the GIS planning software to assist with the analysis of Key Performance Indicators (KPI), exception reporting to identify routing optimization, reviewing the costing and other initiatives;
• Review bus stop locations, bus run/route sequencing to ensure safety and efficiency are maintained with adherence to consortium and board policy/procedure;
• Analyze all aspects of the transportation system including bus routes, bus stop locations, bell times, traffic patterns, safety and hazard implications, and vehicle capacity to recommend changes to improve the efficiency and safety of the transportation provided;
• Ensure all aspects of the GIS digitized map is up to date and correct, including street properties, house and school locations, road changes/speed limits, and input of all safety hazards.

Communication and Conflict Resolution

• Liaise with bus operators as required, monitor bus operators for adherence to route plans, partner board and consortium policies and procedures;
• Provide direction to operators with respect to the transportation policy;
• Provide direction to operators and schools with respect to emergency procedures in the event of an incident or accident involving transportation;
• Investigate parent requests to review or change transportation arrangements using sound metrics and established DSTS guidelines while adhering to the Highway Traffic Act;
• Respond to inquiries from parents/guardians, school staff, and bus operators; and investigate and communicate information with respect to school bus incidents;
• Resolve all concerns and complaints received from all stakeholders on wide range of matters including student conduct, bus route timings, bus stop location, operational safety of the school bus, and challenges to the transportation policy application including eligibility;
• Familiarity with a wide range of partner school board policies and procedures, including critical incidents, emergency evacuation and lockdowns
• Provide thorough explanations of DSTS and partner board policies and procedures as they relate to student transportation to diffuse and de-escalate stakeholder concerns.

School Bus Routing GIS Analysis and Simulation Planning

• Prepare and develop routing scenarios using GIS based Routing Software that can reduce the number of buses in a certain area of the Durham Region by adjusting and/or optimizing school bell times;
• Develop scenarios for Ministry purposes, and if Board Policies should change for transportation policies (i.e. eligibility criteria, etc.);
• Forecast fleet requirements for annual student transportation planning for designated area based on school boundaries, program requirements, operational changes, student enrolment and performance monitoring to ensure appropriate resources within financial and service parameters;
• Compile and analyze student data and projected enrolment in growth areas to determine vehicle requirements based on student eligibility, regional geographic changes, growth trends;
• Optimize and assess all bus routes regularly to ensure efficient use of vehicles that maximize capacity on the bus while managing ride times within service parameters;
• Develop routing scenarios that maximize usage of the vehicle through tiering of routes, identification of underutilized vehicles, and run and route modifications;
• Prepare monthly, semi -annually and annually status review reports out of GIS (i.e. walk to bus stop distance, common stop optimization, school bus ride time analysis, student-based information reporting, etc.)
• Participate in and provide suggestions for long term and short- term operational plans and procedures;

Assist In Arranging Transportation For Special Education And Medical Students

• Receive information regarding students placed in special education class or students with any medical concerns, that require transportation;
• Determine necessary transportation requirements based on student needs.
• Record all information regarding special education/medical needs transportation within the routing software.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Equipment Used:

Digitized map; ArcView, GIS based Routing Software; MS office, computer; printer; telephone; fax machine; photocopier; calculator.

Qualifications:

• Post- secondary education (minimum two-year College Diploma program) in transportation planning, GIS, Geography, or other related discipline.
• Over three years of transportation related experience. Consideration will be given to candidates with an equivalent combination of formal education and related employment experience.
• Knowledge of computer hardware and software necessary for graphic presentation and mapping, ArcView and GIS Based Routing Software and Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, Power Point, and Access) and basic GIS concepts and applications.
• Experience with researching transportation planning issues, evaluating alternatives, making recommendations and preparing and presenting staff reports.
• Effective at working independently and as part of a team.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to provide a high level of customer service to the public in person, e-mail and phone and in dealing effectively with regional and municipal contacts, community groups, board administrators, schools and parents, in a tactful and professional manner.
• Ability to organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner.
• Knowledge of applicable transportation related laws, school bus safety principles, AODA transportation related regulations.
• Knowledge of Durham Region's municipalities and road structures and the location of the Durham District Schools (DCDSB and DDSB) would be an asset.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and daily access to a vehicle. Must be able to walk long distances for distance verification and travel on school buses for auditing purposes.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• This is a 35 hours per week, 12 month permanent position.
• Provide a current criminal record and judicial matters check (CRJMC) screening upon hire.

Equity and Inclusion

The Durham District School Board recognizes Indigenous rights are distinct. In the exercise of those rights, Indigenous staff and students shall not be subjected to actions with the aim or effect of depriving these distinct rights.

The DDSB is dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. We are committed to reflecting the diverse communities we serve and encourage applications from candidates who bring a variety of experiences and backgrounds. We adhere to fair, transparent hiring practices and are committed to equity and accessibility throughout the recruitment process. If you need accommodation during the application process, please let us know, and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Ignite Your Career

At the Durham District School Board (DDSB), we inspire the lives of over 80,000 students. Our diverse communities are places where your impact will be felt every day.

Picture yourself in a workplace where your ideas are celebrated, and your growth is a top priority. Here, collaboration and innovation thrive. Whether you're directly inspiring young minds or providing essential support behind the scenes, your contributions will have a meaningful impact on students and the community.

We welcome you to bring your experiences, your passions, and your talents to our inclusive community. Join us and be part of a team that values your well-being as much as your contributions. Ignite your potential at DDSB and help us make a difference, one student at a time.

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