Offshift Dispatcher II

West Side Transport Inc•Cedar Rapids, IA

3h•$45,000 - $52,000•Onsite

About The Position

The 2nd Shift & Weekend Dispatcher works alongside other Off-Shift personnel providing essential operational continuity outside of standard business hours, supporting drivers in home-daily and OTR positions at the Cedar Rapids, IA, Circle Pines, MN, and Columbus, OH terminals. Working under the direction of the Off-Shift Supervisor, this role serves as the primary driver contact during the shift — ensuring loads move as planned, drivers stay informed, and any operational issues are resolved or fully documented before dayshift resumes.

Requirements

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision; this role is the primary operations contact during the shift.
Strong written and verbal communication skills; capable of clear, concise messaging with drivers and internal teams under time pressure.
Sound judgment and problem-solving ability — comfortable making decisions with incomplete information and escalating appropriately when needed.
Reliable and punctual; shift coverage cannot be left unattended.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in transportation, logistics, or trucking operations.
Familiarity with TMS platforms, ELD systems, or dispatch software; experience with ICC/AS400, AOS, or ISAAC Instruments is a plus.
Experience managing high volumes of simultaneous driver or customer communications across multiple locations.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary contact for approximately 250 drivers across three terminals during assigned shift hours via the ISAAC Instruments ELD and in-cab messaging platform.
Dispatch drivers and respond to inbound messages promptly; provide load plans, customer information, routing guidance, fuel solutions, and local directions so drivers can trip-plan effectively.
Monitor driver availability, hours of service (HOS) status, and location throughout the shift to proactively identify and address coverage gaps before they become service failures.
Maintain accurate ETAs and PTAs throughout the shift; update records in ICC/AS400 and AOS as conditions change.
Identify load plan conflicts or driver availability changes and take corrective action — including setting up rescues — or escalate to the Off-Shift Supervisor with full context and a recommended path forward.
Flag any pre-plan or load plan that will not execute as designed; notify dayshift with a clear, documented handoff note in the TMS.
Handle customer service tasks as needed during the shift, including delivery status updates and exception management.
Communicate service risks to appropriate parties and document all actions taken.
Produce a clear, complete shift summary for dayshift covering open issues, driver status exceptions, and any unresolved load conflicts.
Maintain a continuous operational record in ICC/AS400 and AOS throughout the shift so dayshift can act immediately upon arrival.
Support driver retention by treating every driver interaction with respect, urgency, and professionalism consistent with West Side Transport’s core values.
Participate in cross-departmental training as business needs require and pursue ongoing self-improvement.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Off-Shift Supervisor.