Dispatcher

About the role

This position is currently employed by the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), a department of the City of Charlotte. With the passage of the PAVE Act and last year’s sales tax referendum, CATS is preparing to transition from a City department to the newly created Metropolitan Public Transit Authority (MPTA). The MPTA was established to strengthen regional transit governance, improve accountability, and support long‑term investment in mobility.

Employees hired into this role will remain City employees through December 31, 2026, and will transition to MPTA employment on January 1, 2027. Benefits and compensation will follow City provisions through 2026 and shift to MPTA provisions in 2027, with clear information shared in advance. Core duties, reporting structure, and daily responsibilities will remain consistent, with no break in service. If anything delays the transition, City employment, including compensation and benefits, will remain in place until the move to the MPTA occurs.

Summary

The Rail Dispatcher is responsible for the administrative coordination, scheduling, dispatching support, and oversight of daily rail transportation operations. The position provides administrative supervision, leadership, instruction, and guidance to Rail Operators to support safe, efficient, reliable, and compliant rail service. The Rail Dispatcher monitors employee compliance with operating rules and safety standards, conducts Fitness for Duty checks, supports incident and accident investigations, prepares reports, coordinates employee-related administrative matters, and maintains accurate, complete, and confidential personnel and operational records. The position also supports emergency response and service recovery activities through communication, documentation, scheduling adjustments, and coordination with authorized personnel. This position requires sound judgment, strong organizational and communication skills, attention to detail, discretion, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a time-sensitive transportation environment. The Rail Dispatcher performs administrative, supervisory, scheduling, communication, documentation, and dispatching coordination functions. The position does not include operating trains or light rail vehicles or performing field-based operational duties.

Pay

Hourly Pay Range: $31.31–$39.13 per hour

Responsibilities

Rail Operations Coordination and Dispatching Administration

• Coordinate and support daily rail transportation operations to promote safe, efficient, reliable, and on-schedule service.
• Prepare, maintain, and distribute rail run assignments, operator schedules, extra-board assignments, seniority bids, vacation bids, and related scheduling documents.
• Coordinate staffing requirements based on operator availability, scheduled service, anticipated ridership, special events, planned service changes, and other operational needs.
• Communicate with the ROCC regarding operator availability, staffing requirements, service disruptions, delays, schedule changes, and other operational concerns.
• Monitor operator assignments and scheduling practices to support compliance with applicable Hours of Service (HOS) requirements and established work and rest limitations.
• Coordinate workforce coverage for special events, increased passenger demand, planned service changes, unexpected staffing shortages, and other service requirements.
• Support operational planning, service recovery, delay management, and administrative coordination during service disruptions, emergencies, and other events affecting rail service.
• Review operational reports and information received from authorized personnel regarding radio transmissions, station platforms, structures, vehicles, equipment, and other rail-related concerns.
• Communicate reported safety concerns, equipment deficiencies, and service issues to the appropriate departments for review and resolution.
• Maintain accurate records of rail assignments, staffing activities, operational communications, service impacts, and other required dispatching information.
• Relay operating instructions, notices, bulletins, schedule updates, and other authorized information to Rail Operators and appropriate personnel.
• Support continuity of information through accurate documentation, timely communication, and effective pass downs.
• Perform dispatching coordination and administrative support functions without operating trains or light rail vehicles.

Employee Supervision and Performance Management

• Provide administrative supervision, leadership, instruction, and guidance to Rail Operators and other assigned personnel within delegated authority.
• Communicate and reinforce applicable operating rules, safety requirements, agency policies, procedures, and performance expectations.
• Monitor employee attendance, performance, conduct, and compliance with established operational and workplace standards.
• Conduct periodic reviews of operator knowledge of operating rules, safety procedures, and other applicable requirements.
• Complete annual Performance Review and Development (PR