Dispatcher

First Student; Warwick (RI); On-site; USD 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid time off and holidays

401(k) with company match

Job summary

First Student in Warwick, RI is hiring a Dispatcher to coordinate routes, manage a busy phone and radio, and support drivers and monitors. This full-time role guarantees 40 hours per week and requires strong organization and clear communication to keep buses on time and customers informed.

You'll work with location leadership and school partners to resolve schedule changes, respond to incidents, and handle administrative tasks such as billing or payroll as needed.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of dispatch, terminal operations, or driving experience.
• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• CDL highly preferred.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Basic knowledge of radio dispatch equipment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee bus routes, daily assignments, and scheduling to support on-time service.
• Counsel and coach drivers and monitors.
• Handle heavy phone and radio traffic.
• Address scheduling issues and driver complaints, and report concerns to the Operations Supervisor or Contract Manager.
• Serve as a primary communication contact for contracted school customers.
• Resolve pickup and drop-off problems and communicate delays or schedule changes.
• Assist with charter reservations, billing, or driver payroll as needed.
• Provide backup driver coverage when properly licensed and qualified.
• Perform clerical duties, complete special projects, and assist with supervising day-to-day operations.

Skills

Communication skills

Customer service

Computer proficiency

Radio dispatch equipment

Time management

Flexibility

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

CDL preferred

Tools

Radio dispatch equipment

Job description

Now Hiring: Dispatcher – Warwick, RI Pay: $23–$26/hour Schedule: Monday–Friday, 6:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Hours: Full-time, with 40 hours guaranteed each week. Hours may vary based on business needs. Serving: Warwick, Jamestown, and Bishop Hendricken CDL: Highly preferred

About the Role

At First Student, our Dispatchers help keep buses on time, drivers informed, and transportation running safely each day. We’re looking for someone who can coordinate routes, handle a busy phone and radio, support drivers and monitors, and respond to changes as they happen. You’ll work closely with location leadership and our school customers to resolve concerns and keep service dependable.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Oversee bus routes, daily assignments, and scheduling to support on-time service.
• Counsel and coach drivers and monitors.
• Handle heavy phone and radio traffic.
• Address scheduling issues and driver complaints, and report concerns to the Operations Supervisor or Contract Manager.
• Serve as a primary communication contact for contracted school customers.
• Resolve pickup and drop-off problems and communicate delays or schedule changes.
• Assist with charter reservations, billing, or driver payroll as needed.
• Provide backup driver coverage when properly licensed and qualified.
• Perform clerical duties, complete special projects, and assist with supervising day-to-day operations.

What You’ll Need

• 3–5 years of relevant experience, including terminal operations, dispatch, or driving.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• A CDL is highly preferred.
• Basic knowledge of radio dispatch equipment.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Computer proficiency.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet time-sensitive deadlines.
• Flexibility to adjust working hours based on business needs.
• Subject to DOT drug testing and physical requirements.
• Marijuana use is not permitted for DOT-regulated safety-sensitive employees.

Company Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• PerkSpot employee discounts.
• Training and career advancement opportunities.
• A positive and supportive work environment.

Join First Student

Help us provide safe, dependable transportation for Warwick, Jamestown, and Bishop Hendricken.

First Student strives to attract and retain a diverse workforce. 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 Student is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a drug‑free workplace.

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.

MISSION

Provide unmatched care and the safest ride to school, so when students arrive, they start and end their day with an exceptional experience and are ready to achieve their full potential.

FOCUS ON SAFETY

Safety is at the heart of everything we do.

CARE FOR OUR STUDENTS

Ensure our vehicles are welcoming and trusted places where students feel comfortable and secure.

SURPASS CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS

Go the extra mile to deliver an extraordinary experience for our customers and communities.

FOSTER TEAMWORK

Work together, act with integrity, respect each other, champion diversity and inclusion.

SET THE HIGHEST STANDARDS

Continually seek a better way to do things with innovation, sustainable practices, financial discipline, commercial excellence, and operational excellence.