Sr Dispatcher

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.

At First Student, our Dispatchers are a constant reflection of our company's commitment to safety and customer service. The Dispatcher is responsible for dispatching all buses, ensuring on-time performance of routes, and counseling drivers and monitors on front line.

At First Student, we are proud to offer:

Tremendous Career Advancement Opportunities due to a strong presence across North America

Positive and rewarding work environment

Competitive Pay of $28/HR

Responsibilities:

• Oversees all routing and scheduling of buses; dispatch 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. Information recorded will include time of occurrence, location of bus, route affected, bus involved and a detailed description of what steps are being taken to resolve the problem.
• Collect all pre-trip inspection reports from drivers. Inspection reports will be documented, dated, and filed. 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.

Qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalent. Appropriate vehicle license preferred.

Minimum Experience or Skills Required

• 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

Benefits
We offer competitive compensation and benefits (which vary based on role, location, and business), including physical and mental health initiatives, medical/dental/vision, 401(k), and paid holiday/vacation.

Professional Advancement
Start here. Go far. We believe in promoting from within which means tremendous opportunities for you, thanks to our strong presence across North America. In addition, our 3 to 5 month Manager-In-Development program prepares future leaders at First Student.

Extensive Training
Build skills and knowledge in such areas as safety and security, injury prevention, technology and equipment, and job efficiency.
Diversity & Inclusion

Because we’re stronger together, we aspire to have a culture where all people are First. We’re committed to providing an inclusive and diverse working environment for everyone every day.

Community Service & Impact
Go where opportunity meets community. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do. As the face of First in your community, you’ll have a positive impact on others.
Apply today and get your career on the road with First Student!

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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.