Dispatcher/Operator

United Planning Organization • Washington, DC

6h • Onsite

About The Position

Manage the coordination and dispatching of the UPO drivers who provide transportation services for District residents needing emergency overnight shelter. Act as first point of contact for individuals, families, service providers, and other agencies as it is related to people identified as experiencing homelessness, at-risk or requiring services to prevent risk of injury or death due to extreme weather conditions.

Requirements

• High school diploma/GED or equivalent.
• Two (2) years of experience in a dispatcher position.
• Two-way radio experience is required.
• Possess ability to accurately perform routine math problems, i.e. basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
• Ability to effectively use Microsoft Office programs (specifically, Outlook and Word) and use or learn to use ADP electronic time-keeping program.
• Possess effective organizational and professional communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Must be able to work sensitively and effectively with individuals of diverse educational, socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
• Successfully complete a criminal background check and/or FBI fingerprinting, as well as pre-employment drug screening, as applicable for the position.
• Submit to yearly tuberculosis testing.
• TB test must be presented upon date of hire.

Nice To Haves

• First-Aid & CPR certification.
• Bilingual/Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Answer incoming calls, accurately document information in the electronic database, and provide appropriate information and referrals, including shelter options.
• Enter required shift-related information in SHL Database systems such as assigned drivers, vehicles, iPads and radios.
• Prepare and make available required items for drivers of the incoming shift and collect items at close of each shift.
• Coordinate scheduled and on-demand transportation for clients to approved destinations such as shelters and day service programs.
• Dispatch drivers use a two-way radio system and monitor transportation activities in real time.
• Screen and assist single adults and families seeking shelter and related services.
• Maintain current knowledge of shelter availability and emergency resources.
• Monitor the Shelter Hourly Census Dashboard to track bed availability across the DC Shelter System.
• Communicate with shelters during emergency weather alerts issued by HSEMA.
• Collaborate with partner agencies, including DBH, CPEP, and HSEMA, to meet client needs.

Benefits

• Health/Kaiser, 70/30 split
• Dental/MetLife, all employees paid
• Vision/VSP, all employees paid
• 401k, Safe Harbor Match-5.5% given as a benefit, will match 1% of staff contribution
• Sick Leave 4.5 Hours Every Pay Period
• Vacation Leave 4.5 Hours Every Pay Period
• 2 Personal Days
• Paid Holidays

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED