Transportation Dispatcher

FIRST STUDENT MANAGEMENT LLC; Harvey (LA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company contribution

Paid time off and paid holidays

Company-paid life insurance

Stability with a large organization

Growth opportunities

PerkSpot discounts

Job summary

First Student Management LLC is hiring a Dispatcher to manage bus routes, schedules, and driver communications, ensuring on-time performance and safety. The role involves counseling drivers, handling heavy phone/radio traffic, and coordinating with operations teams.

Requires 3–5 years in dispatch or related roles, a high school diploma, and comfort with dispatch equipment. Competitive pay and benefits accompany this position in a dynamic school-transportation environment.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years experience in dispatch or related operations.
• Clear communicator with strong customer service abilities.
• Able to manage high-volume phone and radio traffic.
• Knowledge of radio dispatch systems and DOT requirements.

Responsibilities

• Oversees all routes and scheduling of buses.
• Counsels and coaches drivers and monitors.
• Handles high volumes of phone and radio traffic.
• Reports scheduling and driver issues to Operations.
• Acts as liaison with major contracted customers.
• May assist with charter reservations, billing, or payroll.
• Provides solutions to drop-off and pickup problems.
• Performs clerical tasks and supports day-to-day ops.

Skills

3-5 years experience

Excellent communication

Customer service

Deliver under deadlines

DOT drug testing knowledge

Computer literate

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. The Dispatcher is responsible for dispatching all buses, ensuring on-time performance of routes, and counseling drivers and monitors on front line.

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.

First Students commitment to putting our customers first, dedication to safety, and an ambition to deliver dependable transportation makes for a working environment youll love. As a huge company with 120,000 staff and over 2.5 billion customers worldwide, youll also enjoy security, a brilliant future, and excellent training.

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