Dispatcher

First Student, Inc.; Hasbrouck Heights (NJ); On-site; USD 29,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Medical coverage

401(k) retirement savings

Life insurance

Training and advancement

Job summary

First Student, Inc. in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ seeks a Dispatcher to coordinate daily routes, assign vehicles, and manage driver coverage. This on-site role emphasizes clear communication with drivers and operations staff to maintain safe, reliable transportation.

The dispatcher will respond quickly to service changes, track logs, and support the team with operational questions throughout the day. A strong customer-service mindset is essential for success.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Strong verbal communication and customer-service skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively by telephone and two-way radio.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving and quick-response abilities.
• Basic computer skills and ability to learn dispatch systems.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily routes, schedules, vehicle assignments, and driver coverage.
• Manage radio and telephone communications with drivers and staff.
• Respond to call-outs, delays, route changes, and vehicle issues.
• Monitor routes to ensure safe and on-schedule transport.
• Communicate updates to team members about changes.
• Assist drivers and monitors with questions and issues.
• Maintain dispatch logs and route information accurately.
• Coordinate with leadership to ensure service coverage.
• Provide coaching and operational support to drivers as needed.
• Perform clerical duties related to transportation operations.

Skills

Verbal communication

Customer service

Organizational skills

Telephone & radio comms

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Computer basics

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Dispatcher

Why First Student?

At First Student, we are a family of employees dedicated to safely transporting millions of students and passengers each day. Our employees are at the forefront of safety and innovation, creating and implementing advanced training and technology in the transportation industry.

About the Role

The Dispatcher plays a key role in daily transportation operations by coordinating routes, communicating with drivers and monitors, responding to service changes, and helping ensure safe, reliable service.

This is a fast-paced, on-site position that requires strong communication, organization, and the ability to quickly adjust when operational needs change.

$25/hr

What You'll Do

• Coordinate daily routes, schedules, vehicle assignments, and driver coverage.
• Manage radio and telephone communications with drivers and other operational staff.
• Respond to call-outs, delays, route changes, vehicle issues, and other service disruptions.
• Monitor routes and help ensure transportation services are operating safely and on schedule.
• Communicate route changes, service issues, and other important updates to appropriate team members.
• Assist drivers and monitors with operational questions and issues throughout the day.
• Help resolve driver, monitor, passenger, and customer concerns.
• Maintain accurate dispatch logs, attendance records, route information, and other operational documentation.
• Coordinate with operations leadership and other departments to maintain appropriate service coverage.
• Provide coaching, direction, and operational support to drivers and monitors as needed.
• Perform clerical and administrative duties associated with transportation operations.
• Provide additional operational support as assigned.

What You'll Bring

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous dispatch, transportation, logistics, driving, or similar operational experience preferred.
• Strong verbal communication and customer-service skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively by telephone and two-way radio.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to respond quickly to changing operational conditions.
• Basic computer skills and the ability to learn transportation and dispatch systems.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.
• Reliable and consistent attendance.
• Ability to meet applicable company, safety, and regulatory requirements.

Why Join Our Team?

First Student offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Paid vacation, personal time, and holidays.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) retirement savings opportunities.
• Life insurance.
• Training and opportunities for advancement.

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.