Dispatcher

First Student•Middle Island, NY

22d

About The Position

At First Student, the Dispatcher reflects the company’s commitment to safety and customer service. The role is responsible for dispatching buses, ensuring routes operate on time, and counseling drivers and monitors on the front line. The Dispatcher oversees routes and bus scheduling, manages heavy phone and radio traffic, serves as the primary communication liaison with a major contracted customer, and assists with day-to-day operations. The position may also involve charter reservations, billing, driver payroll, backup driving, clerical duties, and special projects. The role requires English proficiency because training, safety communications, company policies, employment documents, and other job-related communications must be conducted in English under applicable federal, state, and local requirements, including DOT regulations. The position is subject to DOT drug testing and a physical. First Student describes its workplace as safety-focused and customer-focused, with a positive and rewarding work environment, career advancement opportunities, and training.

Requirements

3–5 years of 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.
English proficiency is required for job-related communications.
Subject to DOT drug testing and physical.

Responsibilities

Oversee all routes and scheduling of buses.
Counsel and coach drivers and monitors.
Handle heavy phone and radio traffic.
Take scheduling and driver complaints and report them to the Operations Supervisor or Contract Manager.
Serve as the primary communication liaison with the major contracted customer.
May handle charter reservations, billing, or driver payroll.
Provide solutions to drop-off and pick-up problems.
Handle backup driver duties or perform miscellaneous clerical duties as needed.
Complete assigned special projects.
Assist with supervision of day-to-day operations.