Route Planning Specialist

Start Date: To be determined

35 hours/week, 12 months/year

Pay Band 10A-MV - $31.47 to 34.97/ hour

Rates as of September 1, 2023

We offer eligible employees a comprehensive employee pension (OMERS) and benefit package upon start date, a commitment to ongoing learning, and an exceptional work environment.

The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPR) offers a world-class education for approximately 34,000 students in 87 schools. Spanning over 7,000 square kilometers, across diverse rural and urban communities in southeastern Ontario, KPR serves the Municipality of Clarington, Northumberland and Peterborough Counties, and City of Quinte West/Murray Ward.

The Board is situated on the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg people, serving three vibrant Indigenous communities which include Alderville First Nation, Curve Lake First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation.

All positions in the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board support the school’s priority of student achievement and the Boards mission to educate our students to excel in learning, to succeed in life and to enrich our communities.

Employees demonstrate empathy and respect in all interactions, are committed to service excellence, and embrace change through innovation.

As part of our strategy to provide on-going support for our schools, the Board is now accepting resumes from qualified applicants for the full-time position of Route Planning Specialist. This position works out of the STSCO office at 885 Clonsillia Avenue, Peterborough, ON.

The purpose of the Route Planning Specialist is to provide, assign, assess and monitor student transportation services to schools, families and service providers.

Reporting to the Operations Manager, the Route Planning Specialist is responsible for overseeing arrangements related to student transportation for regular or specialized services.

The Route Planning Specialist is responsible for the design and implementation of student transportation for regular or specialized service using a computerized transportation software program. The Route Planning Specialist will plan routes and maximize system efficiencies within prescribed parameters set out in the STSCO policies and procedures, related policies and procedures defined by member School Boards and/or applicable legislative requirements. This position provides support to members of STSCO, member school boards and the school bus operators.

Main Responsibilities:

Under the direction of the Chief Administrative Officer and Operations Manager, design routes for a pre-determined geographic area or group of students (such as those identified with specialized transportation requirements) using student data provided by the School Board(s) in accordance with governing policies and procedures.

Maintain and facilitate access to reports, inclusive of passenger lists, route vias, route maps and student lists, for schools, requesting departments and bus operators and taxi companies for designated students.

Determine student transportation eligibility based on Board Policy.

Verify student address information, as necessary.

Conduct on-going analysis of vehicle routing and capacity, and make recommendations to the Operations Manager regarding implementing modifications, alterations, deletions and additions to increase operating efficiencies or to deal with ridership pressures.

Provide further assistance in brainstorming with other Route Specialists and the Operations Manager to address and resolve overloaded routes.

Assist the Operations Manager with annual review of bell time spectrum and route efficiency planning.

As directed by the Chief Administrative Officer and Operations Manager, implement agreed upon efficiency or route operation changes.

As directed by, Operations Manager, Computer Systems Supervisor or Chief Administrative Officer, assist in data input related key performance indicators in order to identify and pursue opportunities for route optimizations and to improve efficient and effective delivery of student transportation.

Under the direction of the Operations Manager, perform relevant route planning and communication tasks in support of key performance indicator (KPI) analysis implementation opportunities.

KPI Analysis - work with Operations Manager in breakdown of data as the KPI affects our business. Assist with analysis and follow up in line with Continuous Improvement methodology for Operations.

Develop an operating understanding of bus service contracts and standards of performance and assist the Safety/Contract Compliance Officer, Operations Manager, Computer Systems Supervisor and Chief Administrative Officer in monitoring and documenting compliance and following up with bus companies regarding non-compliance issues.

STSCO Preventive Maintenance Program - Assist Operations Manager, or Safety/Contract Compliance Officer in conducting PM checks on company buses - offsite.

Assist Operations Manager with On Time Delivery analysis and follow up strategies with bus companies, including some offsite requirements.

Under the direction of the Operations Manager, follow-up with monitoring of optimization initiatives to ensure effective implementation and measurement of results.

Determine and annually review hazard areas, working with internal staff such as Operation Manager and Safety/Contract Compliance Officer as well as external stakeholders such as municipal officials to find solutions or provide bussing to those affected.

Maintain accurate data in the computerized transportation software, as directed by the Operations Manager.

Create and maintain accurate boundaries by school in the transportation software.

Utilize reports from transportation mapping software to assist with routing efficiency and service analysis.

Update the software program to ensure that accurate student information, including stop locations, is maintained.

Assist Operations Manager and Safety/Contract Compliance Officer with review of bus stop locations as required to ensure a high standard of safety is achieved and maintained.

Support the delivery of summer school transportation through route planning.

Perform work in accordance with the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations and all other consortia and School Board policies and procedures.

Provide a high level of customer service to respond to inquiries and requests from students, parents, school staff, Board officials, bus company personnel and members of the public in a timely fashion and in order to resolve concerns in the professional manner and this may include off site reviews such as school walk distance checks etc.

Contact bus companies regarding assigned work, as required.

Assist in monitoring bus companies for adherence to route plans and policies and procedures and this will include off site reviews such as route audits of individual routes or Operator Review meetings.

Assist in initiating and facilitating transportation related communication between school staff and the bus companies, day to day and throughout the year, as required.

Assist in improvement initiatives around Communication strategies with municipal officials, public works, schools and families.

Assist with the application of transportation policies and procedures under the direction of the Operations Manager.

Create routine correspondence as required to fulfill requests for information from a variety of outside agencies.

Assist Operations Manager and Safety/Contract Compliance Officer in the development, provision and implementation of student safety materials and programs such as the First Rider Program as required.

Assist in the development, provision and implementation of Bus Driver Workshops.

Be familiar with related legislation applicable to student transportation, including the Highway Traffic Act.

Back up to other Route Planning Specialists during absences from the office, vacation, sickness, etc.

Other duties as assigned.

Supervision:

Does not Supervise

Main Contacts:

Internal : Route Planning Specialists, Safety and Contract Compliance Officer, Operations Manager, Chief Administrative Officer, Transportation Secretary, Computer Systems Supervisor, Data Clerk and temporary staffing support. These contacts include staff from PVNC and KPR.

External : Parents, students, guardians, Bus Company/Taxi Company officials, Municipal agencies, Schools (including KPR, PVNC and CSD School Boards), general public.

Education & Experience:

University Degree or College Diploma in Planning, Geography, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or other related discipline.

Minimum 6 months to 1-year experience in computer software, GIS and preferably in a transportation or related environment.

Advanced computer skills using software applications, including but not limited to word processing, spreadsheets and data bases.

Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities.

Ability to effectively apply outlined policy and procedures to ensure most effective course of action.

Ability to conduct analysis of available information and prepare reports based on same.

Communication skills, both verbal & written.

Exercise excellent customer service skills.

Fluency in oral and written French is considered an asset; and

Valid G-License.

Specialized Skills:

In-depth knowledge of geographic information and mapping systems gained by work experience, in addition to related educational background;

Understanding of local geography/road network is an asset;

A commitment to service excellence.

Effort and Working Conditions:

In order to fulfill this position with an acceptable degree of competency, the incumbent will be expected to exhibit:

School board office environment;

Regular dealings with difficult people, moderate visual exertion and keyboarding.

Works on projects as part of a team, exchanging ideas and contributing skills that complement those of the other team members. Fulfills commitments to team members.

Works independently to solve problems.

Meets standards of productivity as defined for the level and the position.

Demonstrates concern for the accuracy and quality of work, and takes steps to correct mistakes and improve the overall task.

Able to take on a variety of different tasks and roles within the organization.

Can be relied upon to handle a fair workload, meet deadlines and commitments, and accept responsibility for actions. Demonstrates an ability to work independently.

Accepts changes and responds to setbacks with minimal disruption.

Demonstrates a sense of responsibility and commitment to the public perception of the organization. Follows through on commitments, and admits to mistakes.

Maintains organized records, and makes efficient use of resources.

Manages time and prioritizes tasks to ensure that deadlines are met.

Works with an aim to assist the system in achieving the Areas of Emphasis, including making decisions and taking actions that will positively affect student achievement and demonstrating our Character attributes.

KPRDSB is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information about what this means in our organization, please refer to our website at (See "Employment" section).

A police records check, with a Vulnerable Sector Search and Pardoned Sexual Offenders Database Search , dated within 6 months prior to the date of hire , is a requirement for employment with this Board. Please note that there have been reports that it has taken some candidates up to 6 weeks to obtain a police check. With that in mind, we strongly recommend that you go about obtaining this search at your earliest convenience.

KPRDSB is committed to a qualified workforce that is representative of the diversity of the people of Ontario and across the communities we serve. We welcome applications from candidates with diverse background and lived experiences as a member of a marginalized group, including but not limited to:

First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples;

members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, colour, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin;

persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities;

persons who identify as women; and

persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.

KPRDSB is committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.