Dispatcher

First Student; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 24,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k) with company contribution

Paid time off & holidays

Company-paid life insurance

Growth opportunities

Job summary

First Student is hiring a Dispatcher in Chattanooga, TN. You will dispatch buses, monitor on-time routing, and counsel drivers to maintain safety and service standards.

Ideal candidates have 3–5 years dispatch/driver experience, a high school diploma, and solid communication skills. The role requires English proficiency and a DOT-regulated, safety‑minded approach.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years' experience in dispatch or related role.
• 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.

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, reporting 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.

Skills

Communication

Customer service

Time management

Radio dispatch

Computer literacy

Driver/terminal experience

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Radio dispatch equipment

Computer literacy

Job description

Now Hiring: Dispatcher

Location: Chattanooga, TN

Pay Rate: $21.00 per hour

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.

Why Join First Student?

• $21.00 per hour
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company contribution
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Company-paid life insurance
• Stable employment with a well-established organization
• Opportunities for growth and internal advancement
• Employee discounts on cell phone plans, vehicles, electronics, and more through PerkSpot

Key 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

Qualifications

• 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.

Language Requirement

This role requires English proficiency. Federal, state, and local requirements, including U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, require training, safety communications, company policies, employment documents, and other job-related communications be conducted in English.

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.