Sr Dispatcher

First Student•New York, NY

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Governs the running of routes to ensure on-time performance of service for the location. This role oversees all routing and scheduling of buses, dispatches buses, and provides timely and accurate route and passenger information to drivers. The dispatcher reviews route change requests, maintains logs, monitors sign-in/sign-out times, and adjusts route hours as necessary to ensure productivity and reduce overtime. A key aspect of this role is demonstrating and promoting a “Safety First” culture, broadcasting daily safety messages, and working with safety personnel to develop meaningful messages. The dispatcher assigns drivers, oversees the “Bid” process for routes, and ensures routes are properly “dry” run prior to service. They are responsible for opening or closing the location, checking messages, and tracking daily attendance, communicating issues to the manager. Accurate record-keeping is essential, including updating the daily dispatch log with vehicle status, open routes, sub driver assignments, late buses, breakdowns, and accidents. The dispatcher also collects pre-trip inspection reports, reports vehicles needing repairs, and works with the Shop Manager regarding maintenance and driver concerns. Additionally, they assist with telephone duties and perform other assigned tasks.

Requirements

High School diploma or equivalent
5-7 years experience
Basic knowledge of radio dispatch equipment
Excellent communications and customer service skills
Ability to work under time constraints and deadlines
Problem solving and analytical abilities
Previous terminal operations, dispatch, or driver experience
Good computer skills

Nice To Haves

Appropriate vehicle license preferred

Responsibilities

Oversees all routing and scheduling of buses
Dispatches buses and provide timely and accurate route and passenger information to drivers on route
Reviews route change requests with drivers and submits appropriate paperwork for approval
Maintains an appropriate log to record the date of submission, change number and who the change was submitted to
Monitors sign-in and sign-out times for each route and submits requests for changes as necessary
Adjusts route hours as necessary to ensure productivity and reduce overtime
Demonstrates and promotes “Safety First” culture at the location
Responsible to broadcast daily safety messages during A.M. and P.M. route times
Works with the location safety personnel to develop meaningful safety messages
Assigns drivers and, when necessary, monitors to routes
Where a “Bid” process is used, the dispatcher is responsible for posting routes and overseeing the “Bid” process
Ensures that all routes (both AM and PM) are properly “dry” run prior to the start of service
In the event that FIRST STUDENT, INC. is required to establish routes for a school district, this information shall be efficiently compiled, written, and submitted to the district officials within the time frames specified
Responsible for opening or closing the location, check the answering service for messages and receive calls from any drivers who will not be at work
Tracks daily attendance and communicates issues to the manager
Accurately updates daily dispatch log including the status of vehicles and replacements, open routes, sub driver assignments and other on-going operations items
Record all late buses, breakdowns and accidents on the dispatch log
Collect all pre-trip inspection reports from drivers
Vehicles (buses) needing repairs shall be reported to the service department
Responsible for working with the Shop Manager with respect to scheduling buses for preventive maintenance (P.M.) service(s), reporting breakdowns, and discussing driver concerns regarding the fleet
Shall assist in answering the telephone per telephone Standards and provide follow-up to questions or inquiries
Performs other tasks as assigned