Transportation Dispatcher

First Student; Harvey (LA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Life insurance

Career growth

Employee discounts

Job summary

First Student is seeking a Dispatcher in Harvey, LA, offering $20.21 per hour. This role supports safe, reliable student transportation with a focus on excellent customer service and efficient route planning.

Responsibilities include coordinating routes, coaching drivers, handling high-volume calls, and liaising with customers. Requires 3–5 years of dispatch and a high school diploma, with DOT compliance and computer literacy preferred.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of dispatch experience required.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Basic knowledge of radio dispatch equipment; computer literate.

Responsibilities

• Oversees all routes and scheduling of buses
• Coaches drivers and monitors
• Handles heavy phone and radio traffic
• Takes scheduling and driver complaints; reports 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

Skills

Dispatch experience

Communication skills

Customer service

Time management

DOT compliance

Computer literacy

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Radio dispatch equipment

Job description

Now Hiring: Dispatcher Pay Rate: $20.21 per hour

At First Student, our Dispatchers are a constant reflection of our companys commitment to safety and customer service.

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

Dispatcher 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

Dispatcher Experience and 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.

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.