School Bus Dispatch Specialist

Washoe County School District; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Washoe County School District seeks a Transportation Dispatch Technician to assign and dispatch buses and other District vehicles, coordinate field trips, and monitor safety and compliance. The role requires strong communication, organization, and the ability to manage multiple tasks under pressure.

You will work under the Dispatch Supervisor, handle two-way radio communications, maintain transportation records, and support drivers with emergencies and schedule changes.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; two years of transportation operations experience; one year in an office.
• Two years of dispatch experience in an operations or public safety environment.
• Possession of Nevada Class B CDL with Passenger and School Bus endorsements within probationary time; CPR certification.

Responsibilities

• Assist in coordinating the movement of buses to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable transportation services for students and passengers.
• Assign and dispatch school buses and other District vehicles.
• Evaluate driver and vehicle availability, fitness, and readiness for service assignments.
• Assign substitute drivers and dispatch backup buses as necessary to maintain service continuity.
• Reroute drivers as needed to address safety concerns, emergencies, or operational efficiencies.
• Monitor transportation operations and ensure drivers follow established safety and vehicle maintenance procedures.
• Communicate critical information to drivers, department staff, and administrators using two-way radio and other communication systems.
• Provide guidance and support to drivers during emergencies, including accidents, medical emergencies, student behavior incidents, and vehicle breakdowns.
• Maintain a high level of professionalism and customer service when interacting with parents/guardians, school personnel, drivers, students, and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate all phases of field trip transportation, including scheduling drivers, determining routes, verifying departure/arrival times, confirming pickup/drop-off locations, and assigning drivers for staffing shortages or cancellations.
• Maintain transportation records, schedules, indexes, and other required documentation; prepare reports on incidents, concerns, and policy violations; perform routine office duties (phones, CAD data entry, MS Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Outlook/Teams, filing).
• Collaborate with team members and assist with training drivers and instructors in classroom settings and within the Dispatch Office.
• Drive school bus routes as necessary and maintain licenses, endorsements, certifications, and training; perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Reading & writing

Microsoft Office

Radio communication

Verbal communication

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

CAD system

MS Office suite

Job description

Washoe County School District seeks a Transportation Dispatch Technician to assign and dispatch buses and other District vehicles, coordinate field trips, and monitor safety and compliance. The role requires strong communication, organization, and the ability to manage multiple tasks under pressure.

You will work under the Dispatch Supervisor, handle two-way radio communications, maintain transportation records, and support drivers with emergencies and schedule changes.