Paratransit Dispatcher - Transportation Operations

Paratransit Dispatcher Location: Bronx, NY Job Type: Full-Time Pay: $25.00 an hour Company: First Student About the Role First Student is hiring a Paratransit Dispatcher to support daily transportation operations, route coverage, driver communication, and on-time service performance. The Dispatcher plays a critical role in coordinating paratransit vehicles, drivers, schedules, passenger pick-ups, drop-offs, and real-time service updates. This position requires strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to make quick decisions in a fast-paced transportation environment. The ideal candidate has experience in dispatch, paratransit, transportation, logistics, customer service, or terminal operations. What We Offer Career advancement opportunities with a leading transportation company Positive and team-focused work environment Opportunity to support safe and reliable passenger transportation Training and support from experienced operations leaders Responsibilities Dispatch paratransit vehicles and monitor daily route coverage Coordinate drivers, routes, schedules, and service adjustments throughout the day Support on-time performance for passenger pick-ups and drop-offs Communicate with drivers, passengers, operations leadership, and contracted customers Handle heavy phone and two-way radio traffic Respond to delays, driver call-outs, vehicle issues, passenger concerns, and service disruptions Provide real-time solutions for pick-up, drop-off, routing, and scheduling issues Counsel, coach, and support drivers as needed Report driver, scheduling, passenger, and customer concerns to the Operations Supervisor or Contract Manager Serve as a communication liaison with contracted customers and internal operations teams Assist with daily route scheduling, service coverage, and operational adjustments May assist with billing, driver payroll, reservations, reporting, or clerical duties May perform backup driver duties, if properly licensed and qualified Support special projects and day-to-day transportation operations as assigned Qualifications High school diploma or equivalent required Previous dispatch, transportation, paratransit, logistics, terminal operations, or driver experience preferred Basic knowledge of radio dispatch equipment preferred Strong communication and customer service skills Ability to work under time constraints and meet deadlines Strong problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment Computer skills, including ability to use dispatch, routing, scheduling, email, and office systems Ability to communicate professionally with drivers, passengers, customers, and operations leadership Ability to remain calm and organized while handling multiple priorities Preferred Experience 3–5 years of dispatch, transportation, paratransit, logistics, or operations experience Experience with ADA paratransit, passenger transportation, NEMT, or demand-response transportation Experience handling high-volume phone and radio communications Experience with routing, scheduling, or transportation management systems CDL, passenger endorsement, or prior professional driving experience is a plus, but not required unless backup driving is part of the role DOT Requirement This position is subject to DOT drug testing and physical requirements. Under DOT Regulation 49 CFR Part 40, the use of Schedule I drugs, including marijuana, is not authorized for any reason. Why Join First Student? At First Student, safety, reliability, and customer service are at the center of everything we do. As a Paratransit Dispatcher, you will help ensure passengers receive safe, timely, and dependable transportation every day. 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. 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 MISSION Provide unmatched care and the safest ride to school, so when students arrive, they start and end their day with an exceptional experience and are ready to achieve their full potential. FOCUS ON SAFETY Safety is at the heart of everything we do CARE FOR OUR STUDENTS Ensure our vehicles are welcoming and trusted places where students feel comfortable and secure SURPASS CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS Go the extra mile to deliver an extraordinary experience for our customers and communities FOSTER TEAMWORK Work together, act with integrity, respect each other, champion diversity and inclusion SET THE HIGHEST STANDARDS Continually seek a better way to do things with innovation, sustainable practices, financial discipline, commercial excellence, and operational excellence