Dispatcher / Trip Coordinator

Zūm; Roanoke (VA); On-site; USD 41,328 - 45,460; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k)

Paid vacation

Job summary

Zūm is seeking an experienced Dispatcher to lead daily transportation operations from our Roanoke area location. You will orchestrate drivers, buses, and routes, ensuring on-time service and clear communication with families and districts.

The role is the operational heartbeat of our student transportation service. You will excel in a fast-paced environment, coordinating with maintenance, safety, and location teams while providing real-time problem solving and exceptional service to families and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience in high-pressure, time-sensitive operations or similar fast-paced environments.
• Proficient with Microsoft or Google Suite applications.

Responsibilities

• Direct and monitor daily route assignments to ensure full coverage and on-time completion.
• Coordinate driver and vehicle assignments; communicate routing directions and service changes.
• Maintain records and documentation to ensure compliance with district and state requirements.

Skills

Communication skills

Calm under pressure

Time management

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Microsoft Office / Google Workspace

Job description

About Zūm

Zūm is revolutionizing mass mobility with its Connected Mobility Experience ( Zūm CMX ™) system that connects and coordinates people, vehicles, and operations in real time. In the $50 billion student mobility market – the largest segment of the mass mobility industry – Zūm CMX is transforming a daily source of anxiety and disruption into a reliable, transparent, and efficient mobility experience for students and families. Today, more than 4,500 schools rely on Zūm CMX. Recognized globally for its innovative approach and operational execution, Zūm has been named to Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies, CNBC Disruptor 50 and Changemakers, the World Economic Forum, and the Financial Times’ Fastest Growing Companies lists. Zūm is backed by leading investors including Sequoia Capital, GIC, TPG, and Softbank.

About The Role

We’re seeking an experienced Dispatcher to lead daily transportation operations and serve as the critical communication hub at our Howard location. This role encompasses the complete dispatch lifecycle—from daily route assignments and driver coordination to emergency response and real-time problem-solving. You’ll ensure seamless service delivery by orchestrating drivers, vehicles, and routes while maintaining constant communication with school districts, families, and internal teams. You’ll be the operational heartbeat of our transportation service, ensuring every student gets to school safely and on time, every single day.

What Makes You Successful In This Role

You’re the calm in the storm, the person who can juggle ten things at once and still remember to check in on that driver who’s running five minutes behind. You thrive when the phones are ringing, routes need adjusting, and a bus just broke down on Main Street. You’re a quick thinker who stays cool under pressure, makes smart decisions on the fly, and somehow manages to keep everyone informed and on track. You genuinely enjoy being the go-to problem solver, whether you’re helping a new driver navigate an unfamiliar route, coordinating with the shop on a repair, or reassuring a parent that their child’s bus is on the way. You’ve got great communication skills, a knack for prioritizing what matters most, and the kind of steady, reliable presence that makes people trust you to get things handled.

Responsibilities

Daily Operations & Route Management

• Direct and monitor daily assignments, schedule drivers, and assign vehicles to ensure full route coverage and on-time completion of all driver activities.
• Communicate all relevant details of driving assignments to drivers to ensure proper execution, and assist with routing directions and special service assignments.
• Coordinate vehicle service and repairs with the Maintenance Manager to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.

Communication & Emergency Response

• Respond to emergency calls and coordinate the emergency response network.
• Notify stakeholders and location personnel of all route changes, emergencies, accidents, breakdowns, or service disruptions, and handle customer concerns promptly and professionally.
• Provide real-time operational support to drivers including assistance with traffic issues, routing questions, and emergency situations, escalating unresolved issues appropriately.

Compliance & Administrative Operations

• Maintain route documentation and records including contracts, customer information, route changes, maps, vehicle assignments, and driver details to ensure accuracy and compliance with district and state requirements.
• Ensure strict adherence to dispatch standard operating procedures and recommend disciplinary action for policy violations in coordination with management.
• Track and document operational activities, incidents, and communications for reporting purposes while partnering with Location Manager and Safety Manager on compliance objectives.

Requirements

Basic Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Proficiency with Microsoft or G Suite applications (Sheets, Docs, Slides, etc.).
• Experience in high-pressure, time-sensitive operations (e.g., transportation, logistics, field services, customer service, hospitality, or similar fast-paced environments).

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in a leadership, supervisory, or management capacity within fast-paced operational environments.
• Previous school busing or transportation experience, either as a driver or dispatcher is a plus.
• Knowledge of state DOT/DMV safety rules and company compliance expectations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with strong interpersonal abilitiesExperience working in a union environment.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the local area, including traffic patterns, road restrictions, neighborhoods, and geography of the school district is highly desirableStrong organization, prioritization, and time management skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, coordinate scheduling and task assignments, maintain accurate records and filing systems, and track assets and inventory.

$30 - $33 an hour

The targeted base salary range for this role is listed in the compensation section below. Actual salary may be above or below this range based on factors such as location, skills, and relevant experience. In addition, this position may include additional compensation in the form of bonus, equity, or commissions. If you are a full-time salaried or hourly worker, we offer the following benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Holidays, Wellness, Vacation, and more. The targeted pay range for this role in $30-$33/hr.

Zūm Services, Inc. and all its subsidiaries provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.