Dispatcher

Zūm•Rockford, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Zūm is a rapidly expanding Series E startup backed by industry leaders Sequoia Capital, SoftBank, Spark Capital, and GIC, with a bold mission to transform the stagnant school transportation industry. Operating in over 15 states across the United States—with flagship hubs in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle—we are actively extending our reach to the East Coast and Midwest regions. As a technology-driven company, we deploy cutting-edge solutions to manage and operate school district transportation systems while also launching our own charter platform and developing proprietary SaaS offerings. Additionally, we are spearheading a nationwide initiative to electrify school transportation fleets, simultaneously supporting local utilities by feeding much-needed energy back into the grid. We have been recognized as CNBC 50 disruptor, Financial Times 500 fastest growing companies, Fast Company World Changing Ideas. About the Role We're seeking an experienced Dispatcher to lead daily transportation operations and serve as the critical communication hub at our Kansas city, MO location. This role encompasses the complete dispatch lifecycle—from daily route assignments and driver coordination to emergency response and real-time problem-solving. You'll ensure seamless service delivery by orchestrating drivers, vehicles, and routes while maintaining constant communication with school districts, families, and internal teams. You'll be the operational heartbeat of our transportation service, ensuring every student gets to school safely and on time, every single day. What Makes You Successful in This Role You're the calm in the storm, the person who can juggle ten things at once and still remember to check in on that driver who's running five minutes behind. You thrive when the phones are ringing, routes need adjusting, and a bus just broke down on Main Street. You're a quick thinker who stays cool under pressure, makes smart decisions on the fly, and somehow manages to keep everyone informed and on track. You genuinely enjoy being the go-to problem solver, whether you're helping a new driver navigate an unfamiliar route, coordinating with the shop on a repair, or reassuring a parent that their child's bus is on the way. You've got great communication skills, a knack for prioritizing what matters most, and the kind of steady, reliable presence that makes people trust you to get things handled.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
Proficiency with Microsoft or G Suite applications (Sheets, Docs, Slides, etc.)
Experience in high-pressure, time-sensitive operations (e.g., transportation, logistics, field services, customer service, hospitality, or similar fast-paced environments)

Nice To Haves

Background in a leadership, supervisory, or management capacity within fast-paced operational environments
Previous school busing or transportation experience, either as a driver or dispatcher is a plus
Knowledge of state DOT/DMV safety rules and company compliance expectations
Excellent oral and written communication skills with strong interpersonal abilities
Experience working in a union environment
Comprehensive knowledge of the local area, including traffic patterns, road restrictions, neighborhoods, and geography of the school district is highly desirable
Strong organizational, prioritization, and time management skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, coordinate scheduling and task assignments, maintain accurate records and filing systems, and track assets and inventory

Responsibilities

Direct and monitor daily assignments, schedule drivers, and assign vehicles to ensure full route coverage and on-time completion of all driver activities
Communicate all relevant details of driving assignments to drivers to ensure proper execution, and assist with routing directions and special service assignments
Coordinate vehicle service and repairs with the Maintenance Manager to ensure uninterrupted service delivery
Respond to emergency calls and coordinate the emergency response network
Notify stakeholders and location personnel of all route changes, emergencies, accidents, breakdowns, or service disruptions, and handle customer concerns promptly and professionally
Provide real-time operational support to drivers including assistance with traffic issues, routing questions, and emergency situations, escalating unresolved issues appropriately
Maintain route documentation and records including contracts, customer information, route changes, maps, vehicle assignments, and driver details to ensure accuracy and compliance with district and state requirements
Ensure strict adherence to dispatch standard operating procedures and recommend disciplinary action for policy violations in coordination with management
Track and document operational activities, incidents, and communications for reporting purposes while partnering with Location Manager and Safety Manager on compliance objectives