Dispatcher

Department & Location: Erie County Senior Services, 95 Franklin Street, 13th Floor, Buffalo, NY 14202

Posting Dates:                     January 25, 2024- February 8th, 2024

Title of Position:                Dispatcher

Shift:                                      Full Time Provisional* – will eventually be required to take a Civil Service exam

                                                Monday- Friday 8:30am- 4:30pm

Starting Salary:                 $18.014 hr /$37,469 annually

Who we are looking for:

Erie County is looking for a resourceful, dependable, and hard-working individual for the position of Dispatcher within the department of Senior Services.  If you like working with a wide range of community entities, then this job is for you!  We are continually expanding and adapting our services and striving to improve how we deliver them to the older adults in our community.  

A dispatcher is responsible for accurately and effectively communicating with multi-vehicle transportation systems while maintaining records, ensuring that older adults receive the transportation service they need. On the job training included!

 What qualities are we looking for?

• Effective communication skills
• Working knowledge of geographic makeup of Erie County
• Basic knowledge of the use of computers 
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions
• Dependability
• Resourcefulness
• Good judgment
• Courtesy
• Capable of performing the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

What are the typical work activities?

• Dispatching and directing units of a multi-vehicle transportation system
• Schedules Driver’s breaks and lunch periods to provide the most efficient timely service with the personnel and equipment available
• Receives telephone calls from Senior Citizens, Department Agencies, Doctors Offices, etc., and relays messages to mobile units or appropriate personnel
• Maintains required records of transportation and client information such as names, addresses, driver and vehicle assignments, mileage, number of trips, etc.
• May be required to drive a department vehicle in occasional times of personnel shortages or during emergency situations
• Related work as required

Minimum qualifications:

A. Graduation from a high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and one (1) year of multi vehicle dispatching experience in the operation of a two-way radio or a telephone communication center or:

B. Completion of elementary school and four (4) years of experience indicated in (A); or:

C. An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A) and (B)

Special Requirement:

• Possession of a valid New York State Driver’s License. 

NOTE: Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting full time experience requirements. 

*Please note that this position is a competitive civil service title and will require a civil service examination in the future. After the exam, selection for permanent appointment(s) will be made from reachable candidate(s) on the eligible list according to the NYS Civil Service Rule of Three.

What we offer:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• NYS Retirement Pension
• Union membership
• Vacation, sick and personal leave- including cancer screening time.
• Regular pay increases
• On-site gym
• Fun work environment with fantastic coworkers!

Interested applicants:

Please forward a copy of your resume and cover letter to Aislyn McQueen, Administrative Clerk, Erie County Department of Senior Services, 95 Franklin Street, Room 1329, Buffalo, New York 14202 or Aislyn.McQueen@erie.gov. 

Erie County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to workplace diversity.