Dispatcher

First Student; Harmonville (PA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

First Student is seeking a Dispatcher in Plymouth Meeting, PA, to coordinate daily bus routes, assign drivers, and adjust schedules for safe student transportation. The role requires on-site presence, strong organizational skills, and proficient use of dispatch software and radio/phone systems.

You will monitor driver status, handle service disruptions, and maintain accurate records while collaborating with operations and safety teams to ensure compliance with company policies and regulatory

Qualifications

• Strong organizational and time-management skills for coordinating routes, drivers, and schedules.
• Excellent verbal and written communication with drivers, school staff, families, and teams.
• Proficiency with dispatch or scheduling software and basic computer applications.
• Calm, quick problem-solving for delays, emergencies, and changing conditions.
• Attention to detail for documenting routes, incidents, and changes accurately.
• Willingness to on-site work and early/varied hours.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily bus routes and assign drivers.
• Adjust schedules to ensure timely and safe transportation for students.
• Monitor vehicle and driver status and respond to service disruptions.
• Communicate updates to drivers, staff, and management.
• Maintain records of routes, incidents, and service changes.
• Use dispatch software, phone, and radio systems to manage operations in real time.
• Collaborate with operations and safety teams to comply with policies and regulations.

Skills

Time management

Communication

Dispatch software

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Customer service

On-site work

Geography knowledge

Team collaboration

Safety focus

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Radio/phone systems

Job description

Company Description

First Student is the leading student transportation services provider for school districts across North America, completing approximately 4.8 million student journeys each day. The company operates more than 48,000 vehicles in 42 U.S. states and 8 Canadian provinces and territories, delivering safe, reliable transportation that helps students access education. First Student builds close, trusted partnerships with school districts and remains responsive to changing community needs throughout the school year. Highly trained team members leverage best practices, technologies, and processes to provide consistent, quality service and positively impact each student's day. For more information, visit http://www.firststudentinc.com to learn how First Student is caring for students today, tomorrow, together.®

Role Description

The Dispatcher role is a full-time, on-site position based in Plymouth Meeting, PA. The Dispatcher is responsible for coordinating daily bus routes, assigning drivers, and adjusting schedules to ensure timely and safe transportation for students. This role monitors vehicle and driver status, responds to service disruptions, and communicates updates and instructions to drivers, school staff, and management. The Dispatcher maintains accurate records of routes, incidents, and service changes, and uses dispatch software, phone, and radio systems to manage operations in real time. The position works closely with operations and safety teams to support compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Strong organizational and time-management skills to coordinate multiple routes, drivers, and schedules.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills for interacting with drivers, school personnel, families, and internal teams.
• Ability to use dispatch or scheduling software, basic computer applications, and radio/phone systems in a fast-paced environment.
• Problem-solving skills and sound judgment to respond to delays, emergencies, and changing conditions calmly and efficiently.
• Attention to detail and record-keeping skills for documenting routes, incidents, and operational changes accurately.
• Customer service mindset with a focus on safety, reliability, and respectful, inclusive interactions.
• Ability to work on-site, collaborate with operations staff, and adapt to early morning or varying work hours as needed.
• Previous experience in transportation, dispatching, logistics, or operations coordination is preferred.
• Knowledge of local geography and school district boundaries is beneficial.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; additional training in transportation or logistics is an asset.