Dispatcher

First Student, Inc.; North Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company contribution

Paid time off and paid holidays

Company-paid life insurance

Growth opportunities

Employee discounts through PerkSpot

Job summary

First Student, Inc. in North Charleston, SC is hiring a School Bus Transportation Dispatcher to oversee bus dispatching, route on-time performance, and driver coaching with a focus on safety and customer service.

This role requires strong communication, DOT compliance, and the ability to work under time constraints in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of dispatch or terminal operations experience.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Basic knowledge of radio dispatch equipment.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to work under time constraints and deadlines.
• Previous terminal operations, dispatch, or driver experience.
• Computer literate.
• DOT drug testing compliance per 49 CFR Part 40.

Responsibilities

• Oversees routes and scheduling of buses.
• Counsels and coaches drivers and monitors.
• Handles heavy phone and radio traffic.
• Takes scheduling and driver complaints; reports to Operations Supervisor/Contract Manager.
• Serves as primary 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 clerical tasks as needed.
• Completes assignment of special projects.
• Assists with supervision of day-to-day operations.

Skills

Communication

Customer service

Time management

Radio dispatch

DOT knowledge

Driver coaching

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Now Hiring: School Bus Transportation Dispatcher

Location: North Charleston, SC

Pay Rate: $23.50 per hour

Position Overview:

At First Student, our Dispatchers are a constant reflection of our companys 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?

• Competitive Pay!
• 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

Major 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

Minimum Experience or Skills Required

• 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.