Arlington Public Schools
JOB STATUS: OPEN POSTING DATE: 06/16/2025 POSTING NUMBER: E25/26 5.80.1 LOCATION: Transportation Department POSITION TITLE: Route Planner
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Human Resources announces an opening for a 1.0 Route Planner full-time (40 hours per week/12-month), Grade E-05 position.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
Plans/Schedules school bus routes for students with special needs, considering factors such as disability type, mobility needs, medication requirements, other individualized needs, APS-wide, and performs related analytical activities. Route planning/scheduling duties include maintenance and use of APS route planning and GPS software to yield alternatives and decision-support information for school bus transport (routes/stops/runs/times/buses/etc.), APS-wide, for safe timely, effective and efficient pick-up and drop-off of passengers consistent with school boundaries, school locations, neighborhood layouts; road network traffic patterns, times, distances, special needs of students, related geographic and demographic factors, bus fleet capacity data, and other factors. Analytic activities include analysis of route coupling options, fuel costs, short-term alternatives considering weather, construction, etc. Conducts preliminary analysis of what-if' changes in student enrollments, school configurations and other variables, as well as performance data and performance trends, to highlight areas of problematic or suboptimum transportation performance and to help identify options for improvement, in addition, software capabilities include bus, stop and rider tracking through Geographic Positioning System (GPS) information Performs related functions.
RESPONSIBILITIES: ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CLASS
(May not include all duties performed)
Schedules bus transportation (routes/runs/stops/times/sequences/buses/etc.) for all students using various computer software, mainly computer-assisted routing software (currently edulog) and covering a multiplicity of factors, including but not limited to data on APS buses/equipment/drivers, students, neighborhoods, road networks, traffic patterns, driver availability and routes. Plans for the school year, after-school programs, sumer school, field trips, other special events, etc. Adjusts all schedules, as needed, on daily-, short and long-term bases. Assigns students to routes, completes written schedules, and submits schedules to supervisor for review, approval and distribution.
Analyzes various types of data for a range of purposes. Examples: Analyzes route coupling options, mileage data, vehicle load data, fuel costs, etc to assess costa. Analyzes short-term alternatives that consider weather, construction, etc. to make short-term adjustments or emergency changes in routes/schedules as well as daily rerouting/rescheduling. Provides input from route planning/scheduling and general analytical perspectives on student transport performance and performance improvement options in support of the supervisor. As assigned, analyzes long-term route/schedule alternatives by considering 'what-if' changes in student enrollment levels, school configurations and other variables as well as performance data (such as vehicle loads, late stops, missed stops, and speeds) and performance trends to highlight areas of problematic or suboptimum transportation performance to help identify and suggest options for improvements.
Tracks buses and riders using Geographic Positionig System (GPS) information (if/when equipment is installed by APS) for routine and non-routine purposes, such as emergency parent notification after an accident.
Maintains security of data of all types.
Stores and retrieves information about special needs students, special nees vehicles, routes/schedules for transporting special neds students. Reroutes and reschedules ransportation for special needs students, as pertinent to conditions by specifying all paramenters; may use system in automatic mode and let system decide or make deicision 'outside of system' after the sytem provides options.
On behalf of supervisor, may coordinate with the Office of Special Education to respond to special needs transportation requests. May develop, andmaintains, recordkeeping systems and ddatabases on Bus Drivers and Bus Attendants for special needs students to monitor their work and support management decision-making on deployment of resources. May attend Individualized Educaiton Program (IEP) meetings where individual student needs are discussed to offer input concerning transportation alternatives.
Maintains situationa awarenes (weather, traffic, roadwork, early-late school openings and closings, etc.) to make rapid, effective adjustments to transportation servies in alignment with 'environmental' conditions and instructional operations.
Uses the system to produce required and special reports.
Quality assures data before entry in databases or use in reports.
On behalf of supervisor, may coordinate software issues with vendor or Department of Information Services. May also interface with instructional personnel regarding student data/information systems.
Stays abreast of developments directly affecting APS school bus transportation routing/scheduling, including but notlimited to vehicle/fleet data, enrollment data, road network data, software upgrades, standars and issues emanating from the Virginia Department of Education, the School Boards, APS officials, advocates for students with special needs, and other sources; this includes short- and long-term effects of schedules and unplanned road work and schoool boundary planning. Notes impact and takes appropriate action or notes potential impact and may prepare options for action.
Provides basic training to co-workers in Transportation Services at authorizes usage level of pertinent modules of the system. Responds to internal 'help desk' calls, coordinates with supervisor or others, as needed and in conformance with procedures. etc.
Uses a computer and modern office software suites for communication (email), work processing, research (Internet) and other general office applications, in addition to specialized software for bus route planning/scheduling and performance analysis.
May act as, or for, the supervisor, as assigned.
Performs related duties, as assigned. EXPERIENCE: MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
An associate degree in business, logistics, information technology or systems, transportation, or related field or,
An equivalent combination of education, experience, and training, and
Three years of progressively responsible experience in bus transportation route planning and scheduling comparable to the size and scope of APS, which included the use of planning and scheduling software comparable to that used by APS, are required.
Experience working with people of diverse backgrounds and tailoring and delivering work products and services to meet the needs of diverse groups is required.
Experience using school bus routes to plan student bus routes is desired at the time of placement into this position.
Experience using knowledge of Arlington County road networks, neighborhoods, school boundaries and other local information to plan ground transportation routes/schedules, as pertinent to effective route planning for transportation of K-12 students, is desired at the time of placement into this position.
LICENSE/CERTIFICATION
Procession of a Commercial Driver's License from the state in which the driver resides. Must have Class A/B Learners or CDL License with passenger and school bus endorsement or the ability to obtain a Commercial Driver's license within six months after hired date. QUALIFICATIONS: REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of bus route planning and scheduling in consideration of a multiplicity of geographic, demographic and other factors (such as road networks, traffic patterns, locations, speeds, times, distances, fleet capability/availability and students with special needs); of software that assists in route planning and scheduling in consideration of such parameters; and of related bus transportation operations (such as dispatching and safe bus operation) to conduct school bus transportation planning and scheduling, APS-wide. This includes full performance user-level knowledge of and skill in, or ability to rapidly acquire this level of knowledge of and skill, the route planning/scheduling software of APS.
Knowledge of, or ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of, road networks, traffic patterns, locations of schools (and key transport-related factors linked to them) and related geographic and demographic information pertinent to transport of K-12 (and younger) students in Arlington County, altogether, to conduct route planning and scheduling for APS student transport.
Knowledge of, or ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of, key Federal, State, and local regulations, Arlington School Board policies, and APS initiatives, guidelines and standards applying to the planning and scheduling of K-12 student transport. These include but are not limited io requirements governing transportation accessibility in general, APS PIP 50.5-1 (Pupil Transportation), and transportation issues related to support of students with special needs under APS 254.4 (Special Education Programs and Services), altogether, in sufficient depth and breadth to comply with transportation requirements/standards of the Federal government, the Virginia Department of Education and APS, to ensure one's own routing and planning efforts align with APS instructional operations, to help improve/optimize use of the APS fleet through data analysis support of the supervisor, to serve the transport needs of students in daily work, including students with special needs, and to perform related functions.
Knowledge of, or ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of, road networks, traffic patterns, locations of schools (and key transport-related factors linked to them) and related geographic and
demographic information pertinent to transport of K-12 (and younger) students in Arlington County, altogether, to plan daily frau-sport routing for APS.
Skill in problem solving to select, organize and logically process relevant information (verbal, numerical or abstract) to solve a problem. This includes the ability to recognize subtle aspects of problems, identify relevant information and make balanced analyses and recommendations. Examples include using quantitative and non-quantitative measures to plan scheduled routes; identifying problems or sub-optimum performance related to routing/scheduling and recommending improvements; and adjusting routes/schedules on a daily or short-term basis consistent with "environmental" conditions (such as weather, roadwork and fleet availability), Skill in written communication to understand written information (including instructions, descriptions and ideas), and to express such information in writing so that others will understand. Examples include reading software manuals, dispatch reports, bus maintenance status reports, and routine correspondence; and writing reports, routine, and non-routine correspondence, etc.
Skill in oral communication to understand verbal information (including instructions, descriptions and ideas), and to express such information verbally to others so they will understand. This includes skill in issuing clear, complete and concise route planning and scheduling information, discussing software questions with vendors/technical specialists, and coordinating with APS administrators on the transport of students with special needs; and the ability to listen 'actively' and encourage effective oral c6mmunication by others, such as coworkers in the Transportation Services.
Skill in using a computer, modem, office suite software (such as MS Office), and telecommunications devices to plan, schedule, communicate, word process, research (Internet), help train others, etc.
Ability and willingness to work in a 'fluid environment' under pressure of changing priorities, deadlines, and peak periods. APPLY TO: APPLICATION PROCESS
Candidates must submit an application online and attach a resume, a written statement of interest in and qualifications for this position. Please complete the online Administrative application on the APS website in the Employment section, www.apsva.us. A minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation must also be attached. (Recommendation letters may be sent in separately.)
APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE AND WILL ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION IS INCLUDED.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
It is the policy of the Arlington County School Board, as stated in the School Board Policy G-2.30, that employment opportunities shall not be restricted, abridged or otherwise adversely affected on the basis of race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, or disability. SALARY: Salary range based on the 25/26 pay plan. DAYS:
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
Plans/Schedules school bus routes for students with special needs, considering factors such as disability type, mobility needs, medication requirements, other individualized needs, APS-wide, and performs related analytical activities. Route planning/scheduling duties include maintenance and use of APS route planning and GPS software to yield alternatives and decision-support information for school bus transport (routes/stops/runs/times/buses/etc.), APS-wide, for safe timely, effective and efficient pick-up and drop-off of passengers consistent with school boundaries, school locations, neighborhood layouts; road network traffic patterns, times, distances, special needs of students, related geographic and demographic factors, bus fleet capacity data, and other factors. Analytic activities include analysis of route coupling options, fuel costs, short-term alternatives considering weather, construction, etc. Conducts preliminary analysis of what-if' changes in student enrollments, school configurations and other variables, as well as performance data and performance trends, to highlight areas of problematic or suboptimum transportation performance and to help identify options for improvement, in addition, software capabilities include bus, stop and rider tracking through Geographic Positioning System (GPS) information Performs related functions.
RESPONSIBILITIES: ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CLASS
(May not include all duties performed)
Schedules bus transportation (routes/runs/stops/times/sequences/buses/etc.) for all students using various computer software, mainly computer-assisted routing software (currently edulog) and covering a multiplicity of factors, including but not limited to data on APS buses/equipment/drivers, students, neighborhoods, road networks, traffic patterns, driver availability and routes. Plans for the school year, after-school programs, sumer school, field trips, other special events, etc. Adjusts all schedules, as needed, on daily-, short and long-term bases. Assigns students to routes, completes written schedules, and submits schedules to supervisor for review, approval and distribution.
Analyzes various types of data for a range of purposes. Examples: Analyzes route coupling options, mileage data, vehicle load data, fuel costs, etc to assess costa. Analyzes short-term alternatives that consider weather, construction, etc. to make short-term adjustments or emergency changes in routes/schedules as well as daily rerouting/rescheduling. Provides input from route planning/scheduling and general analytical perspectives on student transport performance and performance improvement options in support of the supervisor. As assigned, analyzes long-term route/schedule alternatives by considering 'what-if' changes in student enrollment levels, school configurations and other variables as well as performance data (such as vehicle loads, late stops, missed stops, and speeds) and performance trends to highlight areas of problematic or suboptimum transportation performance to help identify and suggest options for improvements.
Tracks buses and riders using Geographic Positionig System (GPS) information (if/when equipment is installed by APS) for routine and non-routine purposes, such as emergency parent notification after an accident.
Maintains security of data of all types.
Stores and retrieves information about special needs students, special nees vehicles, routes/schedules for transporting special neds students. Reroutes and reschedules ransportation for special needs students, as pertinent to conditions by specifying all paramenters; may use system in automatic mode and let system decide or make deicision 'outside of system' after the sytem provides options.
On behalf of supervisor, may coordinate with the Office of Special Education to respond to special needs transportation requests. May develop, andmaintains, recordkeeping systems and ddatabases on Bus Drivers and Bus Attendants for special needs students to monitor their work and support management decision-making on deployment of resources. May attend Individualized Educaiton Program (IEP) meetings where individual student needs are discussed to offer input concerning transportation alternatives.
Maintains situationa awarenes (weather, traffic, roadwork, early-late school openings and closings, etc.) to make rapid, effective adjustments to transportation servies in alignment with 'environmental' conditions and instructional operations.
Uses the system to produce required and special reports.
Quality assures data before entry in databases or use in reports.
On behalf of supervisor, may coordinate software issues with vendor or Department of Information Services. May also interface with instructional personnel regarding student data/information systems.
Stays abreast of developments directly affecting APS school bus transportation routing/scheduling, including but notlimited to vehicle/fleet data, enrollment data, road network data, software upgrades, standars and issues emanating from the Virginia Department of Education, the School Boards, APS officials, advocates for students with special needs, and other sources; this includes short- and long-term effects of schedules and unplanned road work and schoool boundary planning. Notes impact and takes appropriate action or notes potential impact and may prepare options for action.
Provides basic training to co-workers in Transportation Services at authorizes usage level of pertinent modules of the system. Responds to internal 'help desk' calls, coordinates with supervisor or others, as needed and in conformance with procedures. etc.
Uses a computer and modern office software suites for communication (email), work processing, research (Internet) and other general office applications, in addition to specialized software for bus route planning/scheduling and performance analysis.
May act as, or for, the supervisor, as assigned.
Performs related duties, as assigned. EXPERIENCE: MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
An associate degree in business, logistics, information technology or systems, transportation, or related field or,
An equivalent combination of education, experience, and training, and
Three years of progressively responsible experience in bus transportation route planning and scheduling comparable to the size and scope of APS, which included the use of planning and scheduling software comparable to that used by APS, are required.
Experience working with people of diverse backgrounds and tailoring and delivering work products and services to meet the needs of diverse groups is required.
Experience using school bus routes to plan student bus routes is desired at the time of placement into this position.
Experience using knowledge of Arlington County road networks, neighborhoods, school boundaries and other local information to plan ground transportation routes/schedules, as pertinent to effective route planning for transportation of K-12 students, is desired at the time of placement into this position.
LICENSE/CERTIFICATION
Procession of a Commercial Driver's License from the state in which the driver resides. Must have Class A/B Learners or CDL License with passenger and school bus endorsement or the ability to obtain a Commercial Driver's license within six months after hired date. QUALIFICATIONS: REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of bus route planning and scheduling in consideration of a multiplicity of geographic, demographic and other factors (such as road networks, traffic patterns, locations, speeds, times, distances, fleet capability/availability and students with special needs); of software that assists in route planning and scheduling in consideration of such parameters; and of related bus transportation operations (such as dispatching and safe bus operation) to conduct school bus transportation planning and scheduling, APS-wide. This includes full performance user-level knowledge of and skill in, or ability to rapidly acquire this level of knowledge of and skill, the route planning/scheduling software of APS.
Knowledge of, or ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of, road networks, traffic patterns, locations of schools (and key transport-related factors linked to them) and related geographic and demographic information pertinent to transport of K-12 (and younger) students in Arlington County, altogether, to conduct route planning and scheduling for APS student transport.
Knowledge of, or ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of, key Federal, State, and local regulations, Arlington School Board policies, and APS initiatives, guidelines and standards applying to the planning and scheduling of K-12 student transport. These include but are not limited io requirements governing transportation accessibility in general, APS PIP 50.5-1 (Pupil Transportation), and transportation issues related to support of students with special needs under APS 254.4 (Special Education Programs and Services), altogether, in sufficient depth and breadth to comply with transportation requirements/standards of the Federal government, the Virginia Department of Education and APS, to ensure one's own routing and planning efforts align with APS instructional operations, to help improve/optimize use of the APS fleet through data analysis support of the supervisor, to serve the transport needs of students in daily work, including students with special needs, and to perform related functions.
Knowledge of, or ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of, road networks, traffic patterns, locations of schools (and key transport-related factors linked to them) and related geographic and
demographic information pertinent to transport of K-12 (and younger) students in Arlington County, altogether, to plan daily frau-sport routing for APS.
Skill in problem solving to select, organize and logically process relevant information (verbal, numerical or abstract) to solve a problem. This includes the ability to recognize subtle aspects of problems, identify relevant information and make balanced analyses and recommendations. Examples include using quantitative and non-quantitative measures to plan scheduled routes; identifying problems or sub-optimum performance related to routing/scheduling and recommending improvements; and adjusting routes/schedules on a daily or short-term basis consistent with "environmental" conditions (such as weather, roadwork and fleet availability), Skill in written communication to understand written information (including instructions, descriptions and ideas), and to express such information in writing so that others will understand. Examples include reading software manuals, dispatch reports, bus maintenance status reports, and routine correspondence; and writing reports, routine, and non-routine correspondence, etc.
Skill in oral communication to understand verbal information (including instructions, descriptions and ideas), and to express such information verbally to others so they will understand. This includes skill in issuing clear, complete and concise route planning and scheduling information, discussing software questions with vendors/technical specialists, and coordinating with APS administrators on the transport of students with special needs; and the ability to listen 'actively' and encourage effective oral c6mmunication by others, such as coworkers in the Transportation Services.
Skill in using a computer, modem, office suite software (such as MS Office), and telecommunications devices to plan, schedule, communicate, word process, research (Internet), help train others, etc.
Ability and willingness to work in a 'fluid environment' under pressure of changing priorities, deadlines, and peak periods. APPLY TO: APPLICATION PROCESS
Candidates must submit an application online and attach a resume, a written statement of interest in and qualifications for this position. Please complete the online Administrative application on the APS website in the Employment section, www.apsva.us. A minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation must also be attached. (Recommendation letters may be sent in separately.)
APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE AND WILL ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION IS INCLUDED.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
It is the policy of the Arlington County School Board, as stated in the School Board Policy G-2.30, that employment opportunities shall not be restricted, abridged or otherwise adversely affected on the basis of race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, or disability. SALARY: Salary range based on the 25/26 pay plan. DAYS: