DISPATCHER

Birnie Bus Service, Inc; Lewiston (ME); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Birnie Bus Service, Inc. seeks a Dispatcher to coordinate daily routes, trips, and school charters. You will communicate with schools, parents, drivers, and staff, handling inquiries with diplomacy and discretion.

Responsibilities include scheduling drivers, maintaining records, and assisting with billing and payroll. A valid CDL or willingness to obtain one within 90 days is required; must be 21+ with three years of driving experience.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Six months to one year related experience and/or training.
• At least one year experience in a customer service position.
• Valid CDL or willingness to obtain one within 90 days of employment.
• Must be at least 21 years of age with three years of driving experience.

Responsibilities

• Communicate with schools, parents, drivers and aides; answering telephone inquiries and communicating on two‑way radio.
• Ensure employees report to work as scheduled and complete and file paperwork.
• Plan, schedule and assign drivers for regular routes and special transportation.
• Maintain records and assist with billing and payroll.

Skills

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Microsoft Office

Communication

Education

High School Diploma

CDL or willing to obtain in 90 days

Three years driving experience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Dispatcher, under the supervision of a manager, is responsible for communicating with drivers, school district personnel, and parents for daily routes, trips, and extracurricular activities of students for our clients. The Dispatcher has significant daily contact with all levels of company personnel and, as necessary, with outside entities such as insurance brokers, attorneys, business partners, and the public. These contacts require considerable judgment, diplomacy, discretion, and clear communication. The Dispatcher regularly handles sensitive and confidential information and must exercise extreme care in maintaining confidentiality and privacy.

Duties / Responsibilities

• Communicating with schools, parents, drivers and aides; answering telephone inquiries and communicating on two‑way radio
• Ensuring employees report to work as scheduled and complete and file paperwork
• Ensuring all vehicles are staffed for the day; assigning substitute drivers as needed; planning, scheduling and assigning drivers for special transportation, including field trips, athletic events, public charters, etc. Observing and tracking route timing; assisting in developing routes, busloads, bus stops and schedules when necessary
• Reading and following established School District contracts
• Reporting concerns, violations or issues to the Operations Manager or Supervisor
• Keeping records and submitting reports, including all documentation for complaints, accidents, routing changes, etc., maintenance records of mileage, gas consumption and other related data; performing daily vehicle inspection and cleaning as required by law
• Assisting the shop in scheduling maintenance and repair of vehicles, coding invoices and record keeping
• Being on‑call for emergencies and weekends as needed; driving a bus as required; working closely with Operations, Safety, Training and Fleet Maintenance departments
• Following company policies regarding pupil/client management and relations with parents, teachers, guardians and the public in general
• Assisting manager with monthly billing, payroll, account receivables, account payables and month‑end requirements
• Assisting manager in implementing driver recruitment programs to ensure coverage of daily home‑to‑school routes and sufficient substitute personnel
• Assisting manager in all driver disciplinary matters and overseeing yearly road test evaluations
• Assisting manager in ensuring all drivers complete all necessary job‑related training and planning driver safety meetings
• Being responsible for carrying out all STA policies and State & Federal applicable regulations
• Knowledge and implementation of contents of School District contracts
• Communicating with schools regarding calendars, complaints, bus incidents
• Assisting manager in development of charter business during non‑school days and summer months
• This position may require travel to other STA facilities as directed by management and business needs; may require overnight stays and include other areas of the United States
• All other duties as assigned by Management
• Excellent Customer Service Skills and Interpersonal Skills
• Intermediate Computer skills including the entire Microsoft Office suite
• Ability to learn new skills, systems and software
• Ability to prioritize tasks
• Thriving in a fast‑paced environment
• Ability to comprehend and follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisor and coworkers
• Ability to deal with problems and find solutions
• Must have knowledge of Federal and State regulations
• Proficient reading, writing, grammar, and mathematics skills
• State‑Required Commercial Driver's License with Passenger and School Bus Endorsements
• Current report of Driver Physical Examination
• Demonstrated proficiency in operating assigned vehicles, including extra equipment such as wheelchair lifts and air brakes under all road and weather conditions
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle as evidenced by a good driving record
• Ability to physically perform the essential functions of the job
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may work in outside weather conditions and be exposed to heat, cold, wet and/or humid weather conditions
• The noise level in the work environment is moderately loud
• Attending work on a regular and dependable basis
• Ability to successfully pass state and/or federal background checks
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job
• Ability to comply with all policies and procedures established by company

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Six months to one year related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• At least one year experience in a customer service position
• Valid CDL or willingness to obtain one within 90 days of employment
• Must be at least 21 years of age with three years of driving experience

STA is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants; returning, military and other groups are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or any other legally protected status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.