Description
WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE APPLICANTS TO READ THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR THIS POSITION.
The City of Torrance is recruiting for a Transit Dispatcher to be part of the Torrance Transit Team!!
Torrance Transit is a municipally operated public transportation agency in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County. The agency directly operates a fleet of 63, 40-foot buses and a network of eleven (11) fixed-route bus lines. The mission of Torrance Transit is to provide safe, reliable, inexpensive and courteous transportation to our customers--the people who live, work and do business in the City of Torrance and the region.
Torrance Transit is currently looking for a
computer savvy Transit Dispatcher with
excellent communication skills and the ability to exercise
good judgment in stressful or emergency situations.
THE POSITION
The
Transit Dispatcher operates communication systems utilizing radio, telephone and computer equipment to provide assistance to Bus Operators and the public. Transit Dispatcher's coordinate and dispatch all Bus Operator assignments and provide instruction and direction to operators in areas such as customer service, safe driving practices, schedule maintenance and hourly service log compliance.
This individual dispatches personnel and equipment in response to service requests; identifies, checks and reports operational problems and incidents to supervisors; makes recommendations and proposes solutions to operational issues; and prepares written reports regarding transit operations, safety events, breakdowns, and mechanical defects.
The
Transit Dispatcher also greets patrons, answers questions regarding routes and time schedules concerning the Torrance Transit System and connecting lines in the Los Angeles Metropolitan area. When necessary, this individual will drive a bus over an assigned route. Performs other related work as required.
For more information about the duties of the position,
click here.
HOURS
This position requires availability to work various shifts on weekdays, weekends, evenings, and holidays.
QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES
Education And Experience
Any combination of education and experience that would have provided the knowledge and skills required is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:
Three years of full-time experience as a Bus Operator at the City of Torrance or comparable agency;
AND a Current California Class A or B Drivers License with a P endorsement and air brakes.
Current VTT (Verification of Transit Training), SPAB card (School Pupil Activity Bus Certificate), or School Bus Driver's Certificate
is desirable.
Successful Candidates Will Possess The Following
- A safe driving record with no points within the last three (3) years;
- Utilize Transit related software applications including Clever Devices and Trapeze OPS;
- Accurately input data and complete reports using Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office;
- Communicate clearly and concisely and interact politely and cooperatively with others;
- Work independently in a fast-paced and demanding environment;
- Effectively prioritize situations and make decisions based on the information received; and
- Work under stressful conditions and react appropriately using good judgment.
How To Apply & Exam Process
Interested candidates must submit an online application and supplemental questionnaire at www.TorranceCA.Gov/Jobs.
Application submission will be accepted on a continuous basis until the positions are filled.
Special Requirement: A current DMV K4 driving record showing a ten-year driving history and no points within the last three (3) years is required at time of application.
First review of the applications will be those received by Thursday, June 5, 2025. If a sufficient number of qualified applications are received by the first review date, there is a possibility that the recruitment may close at that time.
Only Those Candidates Who Best Meet The City And Department's Needs Will Be Invited To Participate In The Testing Process, Which Will Consist Of The Following Components
Written Exam - 40% (Tentatively scheduled for Thursday, June 12, 2025)
Oral Interview - 60% (Tentatively scheduled for Thursday, June 26, 2025)
SPECIAL NOTES
Visit www.torranceca.gov to find out more information about our community.
Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements
must contact Human Resources prior to the examination date(s).
In accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between TME-AFSCME Local 1117 and the City of Torrance, new employees are covered under that memorandum and required to become members in good standing or pay the required service fee to TME-AFSCME Local 1117.
Positions under this classification perform "Safety Sensitive" functions as defined by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and are subject to Federal drug and alcohol testing. Pursuant to the US DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulations – 49 CFR Part 40, Federal Regulations do not authorize the use of Schedule 1 drugs, including marijuana and Cannabidiol (CBD) products, for any reason.
As a condition of employment, applicants will be required to pass a pre-employment medical examination, a DOT drug and alcohol test, and a background investigation. The background check will include the requirement for a signed release of information to obtain DOT regulated drug and alcohol testing records from previous employers to be provided to the City of Torrance in accordance with DOT Regulation 49 CFR Part 40, Section 40.25.
The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract, and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.
Benefit Summary For Torrance Municipal Employees (tme-afscme)
Note: Not all benefits listed may be applicable to all positions with in the unit. Please refer to the MOU for specifics.
Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance (sec. 4.9)
The City's monthly contribution for health insurance is as follows:
Employee Only Emp. +1 Emp. +2 or more
Full Time 597.68 1,140.36 1,595.96
Part-Time
(hired prior to 1/1/08) 483.29 912.98 1,248.16
Part-Time
(hired after 1/1/08) 356.34 619.68 829.48
The City's monthly contribution for vision insurance is $3.33
The City's monthly contribution for dental insurance is $33.71/EE only and $67.42/EE +1 or more
City provides a $50,000 life insurance policy
Longevity (based on years of service) (Sec. 2.5)
Crafts and Trades employees
** shall receive longevity pay in the following manner:
7 YOS: 2.5% above base pay.
11 YOS: 5% above base pay
15 YOS: 7.5% above base pay
19 YOS: 10% above base pay
- YOS= Years Of Service
- Except Public Safety Dispatcher and Animal Control Officer
Permanent Part-Time Employees (Sec. 2.8)
Permanent part time employees working 20 hours or more per week are entitled to all benefits. Accrual of time and money shall be ½ the amount received by full-time employees.
Premiums (sec. 3.1)
Varies by position and assignment. Varies (see Sec 3.1)
Night (sec. 3.5)
Swing Shift: 5% over base pay when ½ or more of the shift is worked after 4:00 p.m.
Graveyard Shift: 7 ½% over base when ½ or more of the shift is worked after midnight
Weekend Shift (sec. 3.6)
Weekend Shift: 5% over base pay for hours worked on Saturday and Sunday only
Applicable only to employees within the Community Services Department, Park Services Division
Holidays (sec. 4.1)
13 paid holidays (New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Lincoln's Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, The Friday after Thanksgiving, Last working day before Christmas, Christmas Day & last working day before New Year's).
Vacation Leave (sec. 4.2)
Accrual Rate Per Month
Years 1 -2 : 9.33 hours; Year 3: 10 hours; Year 4: 10.67 hours; Years 5 – 9: 12.67.hours; Years 10 – 20: 16.02 hours; Years 21 – 24: 17.33 hours; Year 25+: 18 hours
Maximum Accrual up to the amount earned over the preceding thirty-six (36) months
.
Sick Leave (sec. 4.3)
Accural rate is six (6) hours per month
Maximum Accrual: of 600 hours.
Bereavement Leave (sec. 4.6)
Up to five (5) work shifts of bereavement leave; three (3) shifts with pay and two (2) shifts without pay per death of eligible family members
Disability Insurance (sec. 4.9)
Employee receives 2/3 base pay after elimination period (14 consecutive days for STD and 180 consecutive days for LTD)
- (See Sec 4.9.B for details on coverage for employees who don't qualify for commercial policy).
Retirement (sec. 4.10)
PERS 2@55
Employees hired prior to 2/01/2011, City pays 7% EPMC*
Employees hired on or after 2/01/2011 pay 7% EPMC*
- Employer Paid Member Contribution (EPMC) PERS 2@62 "New members" hired on or after 1/01/2013, pay (50%) of normal cost with three year average final compensation.
Uniforms (Sec. 4.11)
$80 each 6 months**: Telecommunications Techs, Wireless Techs, and Water Tech III incumbants (acting in capacity of Water Quality Inspectors)
$225 each 6 months**: Bus Operator, Transit Dispatchers, Police Services Officer and Animal Control Officer.
- Payable during June and December of each year
Tool Allowance (Sec. 4.12)
$250 every 6 months*: (Mechanic, Senior Mechanic, and Senior Welder)
$175 tool and educational material allowance**: Animal Control Officer
$100 one-time reimbursement: Mechanic or Senior Mechanic required to use metric tools (upon proof of purchase)
- Payable during June and December of each year
- Payable in February
Safety Shoes (Sec. 4.14)
$125 allowance: every six (6) months of employment payable during June and December of each year for employees required to wear safety shoes
$250 allowance: per year for Animal Control Officer payable during September
Deferred Compensation (sec 4.15)
457 Plan: Enrollment is voluntary.
Upon completion of year one, employees receive a non-matching deferred City contribution of $300 ($11.54 per pay period) per calendar year.
01
The following supplemental questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Resumes are encouraged but will NOT be used in lieu of the application or supplemental questions. Please read each question carefully and provide a thorough and complete response. Do NOT state "see resume" or "see application" to respond to any of the following questions. Failure to respond to all questions will be considered an incomplete application and may not be considered for further processing. Do you understand the foregoing?
02
I UNDERSTAND that I am required to describe IN DETAIL my qualifying experience in the Work Experience Section of my application. In addition to including my qualifying experience, I UNDERSTAND that I should list ALL JOBS, regardless of duration, including part-time jobs, military service and any volunteer experience during my entire work history. I UNDERSTAND that when providing my work history, ALL DATES should be UPDATED, starting with my most recent job. I UNDERSTAND that answers that I provide to the supplemental questions should be reflected in the Work Experience Section of my application. I UNDERSTAND that if I am currently employed by the City of Torrance, I MUST provide my appropriate job classification/title and provide a description of my duties in the Work Experience Section of my application. I have read these statements in their entirety and understand them completely and to their fullest.
03
Do you have a current California A or B Driver's License with Passenger endorsement and air brakes at the time of application?
04
Please provide date issued and date of expiration.
05
Do you possess any of the following certificates? (Check all that apply)
- None
- Verification of Transit Training (VTT)
- School Activity Bus Certificate (SPAB)
- School Bus Driver's Certificate
06
Do you have experience as a Transit Dispatcher?
07
If yes, how many years of experience do you possess as a Transit Dispatcher?
- Less than 1 year
- More than 1 year, but less than 3 years
- More than 3 years, but less than 5 years
- More than 5 years
08
How many years of full-time (40 hours per week or more) experience do you have as a Bus Operator?
- Less than 1 year
- More than 1 year, but less than 3 years
- More than 3 years, but less than 5 years
- More than 5 years
09
Do you have experience using automated vehicle location systems?
10
How many points do you have on your driving record (DMV K4 report) in the last three years?
11
Are you available to work various shifts Sunday through Saturday from 4:00 a.m. to midnight, as well as holidays?
12
Do you have experience using on the job Microsoft Office products and/or databases?
13
If yes, describe your experience working with Microsoft software and/or databases, such as creating & writing reports, using spreadsheets, etc.