Derek Pires
Sunderland,MA
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive operational, supervisory, and management experience at UMass Transit Services, dedicated to the mission of providing safe, reliable, and effective transportation. Focused on enhancing and maintaining operational efficiency while remaining committed and dedicated to the team that makes it work. Skilled in coordinating large-scale events and adapting to adversity, demonstrating exceptional problem-solving acuity. Always striving to assess and improve while fostering a spirit of collaboration and positivity.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Transit Operations Supervisor
UMass Transit Services
04.2013 - Current
- Manage, coordinate, and conduct dispatcher training.
- Monitor and manage employee attendance and issue disciplinary notices in accordance with established guidelines.
- Review, investigate, and monitor driver complaints, incidents, and accidents, using AVL history and viewing bus video; issue corrective disciplinary notices or follow-up as needed.
- Coordinate, manage, and lead biannual work bid for transit bus drivers; collaborate with other departments to ensure weekly work is covered equitably.
- Collaborate with Transit departments to coordinate and manage annual end-of-semester workforce events, including Holiday Party and Safety Roadeo.
- Regularly communicate safety and policy reminders, calendar events, updates, and route deviations to drivers.
- Conduct monthly driver safety meetings to review policies, updates, schedule deviations, safety issues, and to address driving concerns.
- Conduct monthly dispatcher meetings to review procedures, provide department updates, and address concerns and challenges.
- Plan, coordinate, and manage annual Commencement bus shuttle service for the University.
- Collaborate with and consult the Maintenance and Training departments to ensure daily operational efficacy while maintaining their needs.
- Review Transit safety policies and update as necessary.
- Manage, modify, and create PVTA bus schedules and service types on annual or as-needed basis with input from University and PVTA partners; collaborate with Transit Planning Analysts internally and Pioneer Valley Planning Commission to publish schedules.
- Manage after-hours on-call rotation and provide training or guidance as necessary.
- Provide monthly updates and regularly communicate with PVTA regarding staffing levels and expectations, general needs, service disruptions, passenger issues, etc.
- Support other Transit staff and departments and assist as needed.
Transit Field Trip Driver
UMass Transit Services
09.2011 - Current
- Safely operate UMass Field Trip Service vehicles including livery sedans, school buses, and coach buses; providing transportation for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors.
- Navigate commercial passenger vehicles through dynamic traffic and road conditions, adjusting and adapting to new routes.
- Provide excellent customer service and positively representing UMass Transit and the University.
Transit Bus Dispatcher
UMass Transit Services
01.2009 - Current
- Assign vehicles to routes and ensure drivers arrive for their scheduled shifts.
- Monitor drivers for schedule and route adherence and provide support as necessary.
- Efficiently handle complaints and inquiries, and coordinate transfers and other transportation needs.
- Respond quickly to emergency situations involving drivers or vehicles.
- Input and update daily operational records including service losses, overloads, passenger counts, and vehicle mileage
Transit Bus Operator
UMass Transit Services
10.2008 - Current
- Safely operate commercial buses and transporting riders on established PVTA routes.
- Provide good customer service, deescalating and resolving passenger complaints and issues.
- Monitor rider behavior and enforce rules and policies; handle passenger emergencies and disruptions.
Transit Bus Trainer
UMass Transit Services
06.2009 - 01.2021
- Train new employees to receive their Commercial Driver's License.
- Familiarize new employees with equipment, procedures, and routes.
- Retrain existing employees as necessary.
Education
Mechanical Engineering
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MASkills
- Problem-solving abilities
- Effective Communication
- Transportation Logistics
- Processes and procedures
- Operations Management
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Interpersonal Communication
- Policy Enforcement
- Customer Service
Certification
DOT Reasonable Suspicion Drug and Alcohol Supervisor Training, ARCpoint Labs, 2023
Timeline
Transit Operations Supervisor
UMass Transit Services
04.2013 - Current
Transit Field Trip Driver
UMass Transit Services
09.2011 - Current
Transit Bus Trainer
UMass Transit Services
06.2009 - 01.2021
Transit Bus Dispatcher
UMass Transit Services
01.2009 - Current
Transit Bus Operator
UMass Transit Services
10.2008 - Current
Mechanical Engineering
University of Massachusetts Amherst
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