Dispatcher

HWS LLC; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

HWS LLC in Gaithersburg, MD is seeking a Dispatcher to manage load assignments, driver communications, and route planning. The role focuses on safe, compliant operations and timely service within FMCSA hours; you will coordinate with maintenance for roadside needs and ensure accurate handling of documents.

This is an office-based position in a fast-paced environment. The dispatcher will leverage TMS and telematics tools, maintain clear communication with drivers and customers, and support

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• 1+ year of dispatch, logistics, or transportation operations experience.
• Working knowledge of FMCSA hours-of-service rules and ELD requirements.
• Strong geography and map-reading skills across service region.

Responsibilities

• Assign loads to drivers based on location, equipment, hours of service, and delivery windows.
• Build efficient routes that cut empty miles, fuel cost, and tolls.
• Book and confirm pickup and delivery appointments with shippers and receivers.
• Act as each driver's first point of contact throughout the shift.
• Track trucks via ELD/GPS and confirm check-calls, arrivals, and departures.
• Reroute drivers around delays, weather, road closures, and breakdowns.
• Coordinate roadside assistance, repairs, and recovery with Maintenance.
• Give customers and brokers accurate ETAs and proactive delay notices.
• Resolve service failures, detention, and accessorial issues quickly and professionally.
• Plan loads within FMCSA hours-of-service limits; never pressure drivers to exceed them.
• Flag drivers, equipment, or loads with compliance, safety, or documentation gaps.
• Record accidents and incidents to Safety per company procedure.
• Keep load status, notes, and documents current in the TMS; collect BOLs and PODs for same-day billing.

Skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Multitasking

Accuracy

Technology literacy

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate's or bachelor's degree in logistics, supply chain, or business

Tools

TMS (McLeod)

TMS (TMW)

ELD/telematics

Load boards (DAT, Truckstop)

Microsoft 365

Job description

Description

Key responsibilities

• Assign loads to drivers based on location, equipment, hours of service, and delivery windows
• Build efficient routes that cut empty miles, fuel cost, and tolls
• Book and confirm pickup and delivery appointments with shippers and receivers

Driver communication and support

• Act as each driver's first point of contact throughout the shift
• Track trucks via ELD/GPS and confirm check-calls, arrivals, and departures
• Reroute drivers around delays, weather, road closures, and breakdowns
• Coordinate roadside assistance, repairs, and recovery with Maintenance

Customer service

• Give customers and brokers accurate ETAs and proactive delay notices
• Resolve service failures, detention, and accessorial issues quickly and professionally

Compliance and safety

• Plan loads within FMCSA hours-of-service limits; never pressure drivers to exceed them
• Flag drivers, equipment, or loads with compliance, safety, or documentation gaps
• Report accidents and incidents to Safety per company procedure

Records and reporting

• Keep load status, notes, and documents current in the TMS
• Collect BOLs and PODs to support same-day billing
• Hand off open issues clearly at shift change

Skills and tools

• Problem-solving under pressure: makes sound calls fast when loads, drivers, or schedules change
• Communication: clear, calm, and respectful with drivers, customers, and coworkers by phone, text, and email
• Multitasking: manages [15–30] trucks at once without losing track of details
• Accuracy: keeps records clean and complete for billing, payroll, and audits
• Technology: TMS ([e.g. McLeod, TMW, Samsara]), ELD/telematics, load boards (DAT, Truckstop), Microsoft 365

Working conditions and success measures

This is a fast-paced office role with long stretches at a computer and on the phone. Dispatchers share after-hours and weekend on-call coverage on a rotating basis.

Requirements

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or GED
• 1+ year of dispatch, logistics, or transportation operations experience
• Working knowledge of FMCSA hours-of-service rules and ELD requirements
• Strong geography and map-reading skills across [service region]

Preferred

• 2+ years dispatching for an asset-based truckload or LTL carrier
• Associate's or bachelor's degree in logistics, supply chain, or business
• Experience with [equipment type, e.g. dry van, reefer, flatbed]
• Former CDL holder or driver experience
• Bilingual English/Spanish