Dispatcher

First Student; Buffalo Grove (IL); On-site; USD 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401k

PTO benefits within 31 days

Job summary

First Student in Buffalo Grove, IL is seeking a Dispatcher to coordinate bus routes, monitor on-time performance, and communicate with drivers and monitors to resolve issues quickly. The role requires 3-5 years of dispatch experience, a high school diploma, and strong communication skills.

You will handle heavy phone and radio traffic, support operations, and ensure safe, reliable transportation for students and customers.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years dispatch or related experience.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to work under time constraints and deadlines.
• Computer literacy and familiarity with dispatch systems.

Responsibilities

• Oversees all routes and scheduling of buses.
• Counsels and coaches drivers and monitors.
• Handles heavy phone and radio traffic.
• Takes scheduling and driver complaints and reports to Operations Supervisor/Contract Manager.
• Serves as primary communication liaison with major contracted customer.
• May handle charter reservations, billing, or driver payroll.
• Provides solutions to drop-off and pick-up problems.
• Handle back-up driver duties or perform clerical duties as needed.
• Completes assignment of special projects.
• Assists with supervision of day-to-day operations.

Skills

3-5 years experience

Basic knowledge of radio dispatch

Excellent communication

Customer service

Computer literacy

Time management

Driver/terminal experience

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Radio dispatch equipment

Job description

At First Student, our Dispatchers are a constant reflection of our company's commitment to safety and customer service. The Dispatcher is responsible for dispatching all buses, ensuring on-time performance of routes, and counseling drivers and monitors on front line.

At First Student, we are proud to offer:

• $24-27/hr starting wage, depending upon experience
• M-F 9a-6p full time schedule
• Health, dental, vision, 401k, and PTO benefits within the first 31 days of hire
• Tremendous Career Advancement Opportunities due to a strong presence across North America
• Positive and rewarding work environment

Dispatcher Responsibilities:

• Oversees all routes and scheduling of buses
• Counsels and coaches drivers and monitors
• Handles heavy phone and radio traffic
• Takes all scheduling and driver complaints, report to Operations Supervisor/Contract Manager
• Serves as primary communication liaison with major contracted customer
• May handle charter reservations, billing, or driver payroll
• Provides solutions to drop-off and pick-up problems
• Handle back-up driver duties or perform miscellaneous clerical duties as needed
• Completes assignment of special projects
• Assists with supervision of day-to-day operations

Dispatcher Experience and Skills Required:

• 3-5 years experience
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Basic knowledge of radio dispatch equipment
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Ability to deliver under time constraints and deadlines
• Previous terminal operations, dispatch, or driver experience
• Computer literate
• Subject to DOT drug testing and physical. DOT Regulation 49 CFR Part 40 does not authorize the use of Schedule I drugs, including marijuana, for any reason.

First Students commitment to putting our customers first, dedication to safety, and an ambition to deliver dependable transportation makes for a working environment you'll love. As a huge company with 120,000 staff and over 2.5 billion customers worldwide, you'll also enjoy security, a brilliant future, and excellent training.

First for a reason:

At First Student, we are a family of 60,000+ employees who take pride in safely transporting more than 5 million students and passengers to and from their destinations each day! Our family of brands include Transco, Total Transportation, Maggies Paratransit, and GVC II. Our employees are at the forefront of safety and innovation; they create and implement the most advanced training and technology the transportation industry has to offer.

In the state of Washington, all technician and driving positions, including but not limited to van drivers and any other position requiring employees to drive a company-owned vehicle, are considered safety-sensitive and are therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing, including cannabis.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. First is also committed to providing a drug-free workplace. First will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, and any other fair chance law. Philadelphia's Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance Poster is at this link or upon request https://www.phila.gov/media/20210423160847/Fair-Chance-Hiring-law-poster.pdf.