Driver Supervisor

Last year DARTS Transportation Services provided 170,000 rides to the elderly and adults with disabilities in Dakota County. We have 3900 active riders and 37 lift equipped mini-buses safely driven by 65 trained and professional drivers. We are looking an experienced driver supervisor to hire/orient/train/evaluate/review and guide these 65 drivers in safely and courteously transporting every rider on every trip, everyday.

The Driver Supervisor provides direct support to the Vice President of Transportation for the daily operations of drivers and passenger assistance. This position also serves as backup to the Customer Service Supervisor in their absence. The position functions within a team of office staff and drivers and will be the direct supervisor of a staff of up to 65 drivers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Hiring

• Screen, interview and select best candidates for driver openings.
• Provide new driver orientation.
• Provide behind the wheel training for new driver hires to ensure the compliance with DARTS training program.
• Perform route training with new drivers until such time as they can begin driving on their own.
• Conduct follow-up assessments of new drivers once they reach the end of their probationary period.

Driver Training

• Oversee the classroom training for new drivers and coordinate behind the wheel training for new driver hires to ensure compliance with DARTS training program.
• Evaluate new drivers and provide additional training if required. This will include driving and customer service skills, map reading, following directions from dispatch, ability to perform paperwork, knowledge of area, etc. Make status change recommendations to VP of Transportation.
• Provide for the ongoing training to meet the STS requirements or make arrangements for this training.
• Develop ongoing methods to improve training of new hires and the refresher training of all staff.
• Become STS certified trainer and assist with DARTS driver certification trainings.

Transportation Management

• Provide leadership to drivers and assume responsibility for their performance.
• Be responsible for all accident information and procedural needs including accident/incident reporting, post accident drug test and vehicle and driver inspections.
• Recognize and reward drivers and provide them with opportunities to expand their service to clients.
• Responsible for monitoring and improving driver and passenger safety. Respond to issues and concerns on an ongoing basis.
• Facilitate quarterly safety meetings with drivers and office staff.
• Know and understand FTA rules and regulations regarding Transportation staff and the DARTS Substance Abuse Testing policy.

Operations

• Demonstrate proficiency in the use of the Trapeze software. Perform all phases of dispatching and scheduling functions, including adding, rescheduling and eliminating trips.
• Equip driving staff with the skill and empowerment to make immediate decisions concerning rider, driver, and vehicle safety.
• Schedule staff to ensure uninterrupted service and the most efficient use of labor hours. Provide staffing coverage for drivers 7 days per week including holidays, providing backup when necessary.
• Perform street supervision of drivers while on route.
• Monitor and assure accurate and consistent fare collection.
• Maintain close adherence to DOT drug testing regulations.

Performance Evaluation

• Conduct on-board drive skills review for drivers.
• Perform yearly on the road performance observations and evaluations as well as spot checks and retraining following incident or accident.
• Perform and maintain employee evaluations on annual basis.

Qualifications:

· MN Class B Commercial Drivers License with Passenger Endorsement
· Minimum of 2 years experience in dispatch or scheduling
· Minimum of 2 years experience supervising para-transit drivers
· Polished customer service skills
· Clean Driving Record: No moving violations and no type A driving violations under STS rules.
· Skilled with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
· Driver training experience a plus
· Experience with Trapeze software a plus

Physical job requirements:

This position requires that the employee sit at a desk for up to three hours at one time. Stand to present training materials. Push wheel chairs to demonstrate proper passenger safety. Type on a computer keyboard and read a computer screen frequently. The employee must be able to hear and speak accurately.

Mental job requirements:

This position requires that the employee be able perform multiple tasks and meticulous attention to detail.

Candidate must possess excellent communications skills. This position requires the use proper grammar and English when speaking to customers to convey a sense of professionalism and competence

Work Environment:

This position works outside with drivers as well in the DARTS offices in a fast paced environment with a moderate amount of background noise. The workspace is shared with other transportation staff. Other indoor work involves training and meetings. Outside work with the drivers and busses may be on the road, in the parking lot or anywhere in our service area. DARTS Transportation service runs seven days a week. The Driver Supervisor must be available to work weekends days. Position will be scheduled to work regular weekend shifts.