School Transportation Dispatcher & Route Planner

Servingschools; Poland (ME); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

RSU16 is seeking an Interim Transportation Dispatcher/Coordinator to manage daily routing adjustments, assign trips, monitor communications, and support drivers in a fast-paced school transportation operation.

This role requires CDL-B with school bus endorsements or the ability to obtain, strong customer service, routing software experience, and the ability to work independently while coordinating with district staff. Salary range is $65,000-$70,000 annually.

Qualifications

• CDL-B with School Bus (S) and Passenger (P) endorsements, or ability to obtain within district-supported timelines.
• Experience in transportation operations, dispatching, or logistical coordination.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated computer literacy with routing software, GPS systems, Microsoft Office, and Google platforms.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining communication through the chain of command.
• Ability to remain calm and organized during emergencies or high-volume communication periods.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily routing adjustments, including student changes, monitoring road conditions, and schedule variations.
• Respond to driver call-outs and coordinate substitute coverage.
• Assign trips, athletic events, field trips, and special transportation requests.
• Monitor radio and communication channels to support drivers and respond to operational needs.
• Serve as a float driver to cover routes or trips during staffing shortages or emergencies.
• Assist the Director of Operations with annual and ongoing route planning and optimization.
• Maintain accurate route information using routing software and GPS tools.
• Support long-term planning related to ridership trends, program changes, and fleet utilization.
• Track driver attendance, overtime, and payroll-related documentation.
• Maintain records of trips, assignments, and operational logs.
• Support compliance tasks including license verification, physicals, drug testing coordination, and training records.
• Assist with onboarding and certification tracking for transportation staff.
• Maintain accurate records of vehicle inspections, maintenance schedules, and incident reports.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for families regarding routing questions, delays, and transportation concerns.
• Coordinate with school administrators, athletic directors, and district staff to ensure accurate scheduling and timely communication.
• Provide clear, professional communication during emergencies, delays, or service disruptions.
• Provide day-to-day operational guidance to drivers and transportation staff.
• Support onboarding and orientation of new drivers, including route familiarization and procedural training.
• Offer input to the Director of Operations regarding performance, operational concerns, and staffing needs.
• Receive maintenance information from the Mechanics and communicate needs with the Director of Operations.
• Recommend supply purchases to be approved by the Director of Operations.
• Uphold district policies and safety expectations consistently and professionally.

Skills

CDL-B endorsements

Transportation operations experience

Strong communication

Prioritization under pressure

Routing software

GPS systems

Microsoft Office

Google platforms

Independent work

Calm under pressure

Tools

Routing software

GPS systems

Microsoft Office

Google platforms

Job description

RSU16 is seeking an Interim Transportation Dispatcher/Coordinator to manage daily routing adjustments, assign trips, monitor communications, and support drivers in a fast-paced school transportation operation.

This role requires CDL-B with school bus endorsements or the ability to obtain, strong customer service, routing software experience, and the ability to work independently while coordinating with district staff. Salary range is $65,000-$70,000 annually.