Dispatcher

Thank you for your interest in joining the team that keeps Charlotte moving, at a very exciting time for our organization. At the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), we’re committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative transit services for our growing community, and we value employees who bring professionalism, passion, and a commitment to public service.

This position is currently employed by 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. It’s an important and exciting step forward for transit in our region.

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. Your core duties, reporting structure, and daily responsibilities will remain consistent, with no break in service. If anything delays the transition, your City employment, including compensation and benefits, will remain in place until the move to the MPTA occurs.

The creation of the MPTA positions us for a more modern, sustainable, and efficient transit system, one that can better support the Charlotte region for decades to come. We’re excited about what’s ahead and appreciate your interest in being part of it.

• Perform assigned dispatch duties in support of safe, reliable, and coordinated rail transportation service.
• Manage service communications and dispatch activity within assigned responsibilities, territories, or operating areas in accordance with schedules, service priorities, and established procedures.
• Support daily transportation operations by relaying service instructions, updates, and operating information to the appropriate personnel.
• Monitor assigned operating conditions and help maintain continuity of dispatch support throughout the shift.
• Carry out dispatch responsibilities in a timely, accurate, and professional manner.

• Communicate clearly and accurately with rail operators, field supervisors, and other operational personnel using established communication protocols.
• Issue routine operating instructions, service updates, and other dispatch communications as directed or required by procedure.
• Confirm read-backs, acknowledgments, or other required communication elements to help ensure shared understanding.
• Support clear information flow during both normal operations and service disruptions.
• Escalate significant issues, unclear conditions, or communication concerns to the Lead Rail Dispatcher or Assistant Manager as appropriate.

• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete records of delays, events, service impacts, and other dispatch-related activity.
• Enter required information into logs, forms, status records, and other documentation tools used by the dispatch function.
• Record dispatch activity and related communications in accordance with agency procedures and documentation standards.
• Help ensure shift records are organized, current, and useful for follow-up, turnover, and management review.
• Support accurate handoff of information between shifts.

• Follow established checklists, procedures, and escalation protocols during delays, incidents, abnormal operations, and other service-impacting events.
• Support dispatch coordination during disruptions by carrying out assigned response activities and communicating changes as directed.
• Help ensure dispatch actions remain aligned with established procedures, communication standards, and operational expectations.
• Implement bulletins, notices, and other temporary or standing operational instructions as directed.
• Maintain awareness of procedural updates and current operating guidance affecting dispatch responsibilities.

• Work cooperatively with Lead Rail Dispatchers, supervisors, operators, field personnel, and other members of the transportation team.
• Maintain professionalism, attentiveness, and composure in a fast-paced operational setting.
• Participate in required training, briefings, onboarding activities, drills, and other job-readiness efforts.
• Seek clarification when needed and use feedback to strengthen performance and consistency.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Rail operating rules, communication protocols, and dispatch procedures governing real-time service coordination.
• Principles of train movement, service regulation basics, and real-time transportation support.
• Dispatch tools and systems, including radios, logs, status boards, and communication platforms.
• Incident response procedures, escalation protocols, and service disruption handling practices.
• Documentation standards, logging practices, and shift turnover requirements in a dispatch environment.

• Performing dispatch duties, including communicating instructions, monitoring service conditions, and supporting coordinated operations.
• Managing multiple communications, updates, and tasks simultaneously in a real-time environment.
• Using radios, phones, logs, and computer systems accurately and efficiently.
• Recording delays, events, and operational activity in a timely and accurate manner.
• Applying procedures, checklists, and communication protocols consistently.
• Communicating clearly and professionally with operators, supervisors, and operational personnel.

• Maintain focus, situational awareness, and accuracy during extended periods of real-time operations.
• Follow established procedures and respond appropriately to changing service conditions.
• Recognize when issues require escalation and communicate concerns effectively.
• Work effectively under pressure while balancing multiple tasks and communications.
• Support safe, reliable service through disciplined execution of dispatch responsibilities.
• Adapt to disruptions, delays, and changing priorities without loss of performance.

• High school diploma or GED.
• Two (2) years of experience in rail operations, transportation operations, dispatch support, communications support, or another closely related real-time operating environment.
• Experience using radios, phones, logs, or other communication and documentation tools in a time-sensitive setting.
• Ability to learn and apply dispatch procedures, communication protocols, and other job-related operational requirements.
• Ability to work varying shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, and emergencies as operational needs require.

• Experience in a rail transit, rail dispatch, or transportation operations environment.
• Experience supporting service communications or dispatch-related activities in a 24/7 operation.
• Familiarity with customer-facing service communication or operational status reporting.

• Works primarily in a dispatch, operations support, or transportation coordination environment with regular use of computers, radios, phones, logs, and related communications tools.
• Works in a fast-paced, safety-sensitive environment requiring sustained attention, clear communication, and the ability to manage multiple tasks and updates in real time.
• May be required to work varying shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, or emergency assignments in support of 24/7 rail transportation operations.
• Involves extended periods of sitting, viewing screens, speaking on communications equipment, and entering information into logs, records, and related systems.
• May occasionally visit rail facilities, stations, yards, or other operational locations and may be exposed to varying noise levels, weather conditions, and transit operating environments during those visits.

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email Careers@ci.charlotte.nc.us

The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.