Senior Dispatcher

$30.00/hr

First Student — Where Safety and Service Come First!

At First Student, we are a family of over 60,000 employees who take pride in safely transporting millions of students and passengers to and from their destinations each day. Our team of professionals is dedicated to providing safe, reliable, and efficient transportation services to the communities we serve.

We are currently seeking an experienced Senior Dispatcher to support our daily transportation operations and ensure efficient, on-time service.

Why Join First Student?

• Competitive pay and benefits
• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement
• Supportive, team-oriented work environment
• Comprehensive training and development
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact in your community

About the Senior Dispatcher Position

As a Senior Dispatcher, you will play a critical role in overseeing daily transportation operations, coordinating driver assignments, managing routes, and ensuring safe and timely service.

You will work closely with drivers, monitors, maintenance personnel, and location leadership to resolve operational challenges, improve efficiency, and maintain First Student's commitment to safety and service excellence.

Your Responsibilities

• Oversee daily routing, scheduling, and dispatch operations to ensure safe, efficient, and on-time transportation service.
• Coordinate driver and monitor assignments, ensuring all routes are appropriately staffed and covered.
• Monitor driver sign-in and sign-out times, track attendance, and adjust route hours to improve productivity and minimize unnecessary overtime.
• Maintain accurate dispatch logs documenting vehicle assignments, route changes, late buses, breakdowns, accidents, and other operational updates.
• Review route change requests, maintain supporting documentation, and submit changes for approval.
• Ensure AM and PM routes are properly reviewed and dry-run before the start of service.
• Coordinate route bidding processes, including posting available routes and facilitating assignments when applicable.
• Promote First Student's Safety First culture by delivering daily safety communications and collaborating with location safety personnel.
• Respond to operational disruptions, including driver absences, vehicle breakdowns, route delays, and emergencies.
• Communicate timely and accurate route and passenger information to drivers, management, and school district personnel.
• Coordinate with maintenance leadership regarding vehicle inspections, preventive maintenance scheduling, mechanical concerns, and vehicle availability.
• Collect, document, and maintain driver pre-trip inspection reports, ensuring maintenance concerns are reported appropriately.
• Support opening and closing procedures, including responding to driver call-offs and communicating staffing concerns to management.
• Assist with customer inquiries, telephone communications, and operational follow-up.
• Provide guidance and support to dispatch personnel and assist with training and daily operational coordination.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 5–7 years of relevant experience in transportation operations, dispatching, terminal operations, or driving.
• Previous school transportation or fleet dispatch experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of radio dispatch equipment, routing systems, and transportation scheduling.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a commitment to customer service.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with computers and standard office software.
• Ability to work collaboratively with drivers, maintenance teams, management, and customers.
• Appropriate vehicle operator's license preferred.

Work Environment

This position operates primarily in an office and school bus yard environment, with occasional on-road responsibilities.

The role involves extended periods of sitting, use of standard office equipment, and regular communication with drivers, employees, and customers.

Apply Today!

If you're an experienced transportation professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about safety, organization, and operational excellence, we encourage you to apply.

Join First Student and help us provide safe, reliable transportation every day!

First Student is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing an inclusive workplace for all employees and applicants.

Language RequirementThis 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.