Schedule Technician

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

The Metropolitan Council's Metro Transit Division is one of the country's largest transit systems, employs more than 3,000 people, and provides ridership through an integrated network of buses, light rail and commuter trains, as well as a resource for those who carpool, vanpool, walk or bike in the Twin Cities.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

The Schedule Technician gathers input from Service Analysis, Route Planning, Operations, and other transit providers in order to create and maintain bus and rail schedules. Ensures the efficiency and operability of vehicle blocks and operator duties, adhering to specified directives and union contract provisions. Communicates schedule changes to internal and external stakeholders, including Garage Operations, Street Operations, Transit Information, and partner transit agencies.

NOTE: This posting will establish a six-month eligible list for current and future openings. This posting is open to both internal and external applicants, however, internal candidates will receive priority. For internals, the final selection will be awarded by full-time ATU seniority among qualified candidates.

This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. The incumbent of this role will be required to work onsite at our Heywood office in Minneapolis on Tuesdays (subject to change). The candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

Hourly Pay Range: For candidates newly hired into the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), starting wage is set by the ATU contract. Internal hires will follow Metropolitan Council's union wage guidelines.

• Reviews service specifications provided by Service Analysis, Route Planning, and partner transit agencies as provided through change-of-service forms, e-mails, and verbal communications.
• Provides recommendations, statistics, and data to assist managerial staff, Service Analysis, Route Planning, and other departments in the design and delivery of service.
• Communicates with operational and customer-facing departments, including Street Operations, Garage Operations, Transit Information, and partner transit agencies, to ensure the accuracy and operability of schedules.
• Participates in Service Advisory Team meetings on-site at assigned garage(s), as well as operator run time committees, task forces, and committees.
• Builds and manages timetables in HASTUS (or other software system, if applicable) including all service components: route variants, run times, and trip times.
• Uses computer-aided scheduling methods to build vehicle blocking and crew schedules. Analyzes solutions and adjusts rules and parameters to resolve issues.
• Assists with the preparation of data sets needed to build schedules, including but not limited to deadhead times, minimum layovers, trip vehicle requirements, etc.
• Delivers schedule information in a variety of electronic and paper formats (documents, reports, and data) for quarterly operator picks and weekly updates. Uses software such as Adobe Acrobat and SharePoint to generate and share information.
• Tests software upgrades, new features, objects, attributes, access profiles, and other components. Uses screen capture and interactive remote desktop to troubleshoot issues.
• Supports one or more specialty functions.

The following combination of progressively responsible experience in Transit; incumbent must possess the knowledge, skills and abilities required of a Schedule Technician or demonstrate the ability to master them during the probationary period:

• High school diploma/GED with three (3) years of experience in public transit.

• Experience working with a diverse workforce and diverse communities.

• Knowledge of Twin Cities transit routes and geography.
• Knowledge of Metro Transit departments, policies, procedures, and operations.
• Knowledge of ATU contract provisions as they relate to work rules and the development of cost-effective schedules.
• Skilled in HASTUS (or other similar scheduling software, if applicable), not required at entry.
• Skilled in Microsoft Windows environment and common applications (Word, Outlook, Windows Explorer, web browsers, etc.), required at entry.
• Skilled in Microsoft Excel, including proficiency with formatting, basic formulas, copy-and-paste operations, etc., required at entry.
• Skilled in electronic mapping tools, including aerial photos, street view, and trip planning.
• Ability to solve problems independently and creatively, exercising sound professional judgment.
• Ability to read and compose documentation with acute attention to fine details (numbers, times, dates, and text).
• Ability to read and interpret timetables and route maps in a variety of formats.
• Ability to read and comprehend detailed instructions of a technical nature.
• Ability to write correspondence of a detailed nature to a broad audience.
• Ability to work effectively with customers and colleagues, exercising tact, courtesy, and cooperation.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to perform relevant mathematical functions: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; work with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and time values; compute rate, ratio, and percent; compute averages.
• Ability to create and interpret bar and line graphs.

Union/Grade: Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) / Grade 48
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No

What your work environment would be: The majority of work time is performed in a standard office setting. Incumbent will conduct occasional field observations and attend meetings at other facilities.

What steps the recruitment process involves:

1. We review your minimum qualifications.
2. We request your Work Record Evaluation (ATU employees only).
3. We rate your education and experience.
4. We conduct computer and job skill assessments.
5. We conduct a structured panel interview.
6. We conduct a pre-acceptance meeting.