Transit Scheduler

Job Title: Transit Scheduler - (2021-035)

Location: Victoria - Victoria, BC V8W 9T5 CA (Primary)

Closing Date: March/28/2021

Affiliation: MoveUP

Salary Grade: $5,524.00 - $6,633.00 ( MoveUP Group 10 )

Rate Basis: Monthly

Job Type: Full-time Regular

Hours per Week: 37.5

Organizational Description

We love that our head office is in Victoria and we bet you do too!

We are thrilled you’ve decided to explore a career with us. As a crown corporation and recognized Top Employer in BC, BC Transit is British Columbia's provincial transit authority responsible for transporting 58 million passengers every year, operating 88 transit systems in 130 communities across British Columbia (outside of Greater Vancouver).

We’re passionate about helping to reduce congestion in our communities and bringing innovation to public transportation wherever we can including electrifying our fleet, introducing new bus lanes between Colwood and Downtown and exploring mobile payment options, to name just a few.

It’s an exciting time to be in the transit industry and we’re looking for creative and passionate people to join our team. Not only would you be joining an engaged organization but you’d also get to enjoy flexible work arrangements, extended benefits and a pension plan as just a few of the benefits BC Transit employees are eligible for. Keep reading to find out if this role is meant for you!

Description

The scheduling department is responsible for ensuring effective, reliable service in 81 transit systems in 130 communities across BC. It is expected that a Transit Scheduler will perform a variety of scheduling and analysis duties in support of bus service changes in communities of all scales.

Key Responsibilities 

• Develops, designs and creates effective transit schedules utilizing both specialized scheduling software and manual techniques, and through detailed analysis of applicable data for Victoria and Regional Transit Systems, ensuring on-street service levels accurately reflect the service plan ridership demands, budget constraints and available resources.
• Coordinates scheduled trips into blocks to ensure maximum operative use of the available bus fleet. Participates in discussions with internal and external stakeholders (Planning staff Government Relation Managers, Regional Transit Managers-Operations, Fleet, Operating Companie and Local Government Partners) regarding fleet utilization.
• Assists with the creation of runcuts for the Victoria Regional Transit system that ensure cost-effective operator work shifts and meet all requirements of the applicable collective agreement.
• Initiates discussions regarding work rule application and cost-related issues that would generally be more straightforward in nature. Liaises with Regional Transit Managers and Operating Company Representatives regarding operating contract issues relating to workforce and workforce costs.
• Performs analysis of runtime and ridership data from a variety of sources, including APC and AVL data as well as input from Operations staff, Transit Supervisors, Service Delivery Managers and Transit Operators and performs field checks when necessary. Establishes runtime, deadhead and travel time matrices for schedule development.
• Liaises with Operations staff, Transit Operators, Regional Transit Systems, the public and others to identify issues, track information and address concerns related to system operations and reliability.
• Liaises with transit union representatives in relation to transit operator concerns and service-related issues.
• Assists in the preparation of service recommendations for frequency requirements to meet operational demands. Works with Planning staff, Local Government Partners and Operating Company management in the development of annual and quarterly service recommendations.
• Coordinates the development of new routes and service plans including identification of timing points, route terminals and detailed routing requirements. Works with Planning staff, Operations and other internal and external representatives to prepare detailed route specifications.
• Produces schedule data exports in a variety of formats, e.g. GTFS (Google Transit and IVR), AVL (NextRide), APC, web schedules, Riders’ Guides as well as administering the vehicle destination blind database. Runs appropriate data interface tools to ensure accurate delivery of schedule information. Coordinates proofing and works with various internal departments, such as Marketing, Smartbus, Operations, Maintenance and Fleet as well as external providers, to ensure delivery of accurate schedule information.
• Maintains data in HASTUS and other systems in such a way as is needed to ensure accurate data exports (including trip variant, destination sign, and bus stop sequence data).
• Responsible for reporting on service change impacts to internal and external partners.
• Responsible for the timely delivery of accurate sign-up information and documents for the Victoria Regional Transit system and other properties as required.
• Conducts reviews of scheduling techniques in order to identify areas of potential efficiencies, service improvements and cost savings.
• Provides support to multiple departments in order to minimize risk to BC Transit.
• Conducts a variety of analyses and tasks as required to meet the objectives of the department.
• Participates in public and stakeholder consultation and engagement and Transit Operator information sessions as required.
• Other duties as required.

Qualifications

• Experience: requires two years beyond high school (Diploma, certificate, technical institute, etc.) in relevant disciplines such as statistics, analysis, transportation planning, computer science (including courses in basic programming) and minimum three years’ experience where a good knowledge of transit system operations has been gained Transit scheduling experience, where duties included developing run times, preparing routes and schedules and the utilization of a computerized scheduling system, would be an asset. Equivalent combination of education, training and experience will also be considered.
•  Position requires strong skills in communication (verbal and written).
•  Strong skills in problem solving, analysis and logical thinking.
•  Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)
•  Knowledge of basic programming language (e.g. Python, JavaScript, C) is an asset.
•  Ability to interpret transit work rules and union labour agreements.
•  Motivated, energetic, goal-oriented, with a strong work ethic, customer service focus and positive team attitude.
•  A proven team player who is able to work well in a multi-tasking, fast-paced, environment.
•  Interpersonal skills to build and maintain effective internal and external relationships.
•  Strong time management and organizational skills that produce positive outcomes in a complex and demanding work environment with an ability to work independently and be self-motivated.
• Travel throughout the province is required (approximately 4-8 trips per year).