Dispatcher

Zum

Rockford, IL

Posted on: 2026-04-16

Category: transportation

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Employment type:

Full time

Experience required:

Intermediate

Salary

Salary not provided

About the company:

Zum is a student transportation company headquartered in the United States that provides technology-driven school bus and ride services for K-12 students. The company partners with school districts to modernize student transportation through a platform that connects drivers, schools, parents, and students in real time, offering improved safety, visibility, and efficiency compared to traditional school bus operations. Zum emphasizes the use of data and technology to optimize routes and improve the overall transportation experience for families and school administrators. A core part of Zum's mission is accelerating the transition to clean transportation by deploying electric vehicles for student transit. The company has committed to electrifying its fleet and has partnered with school districts and utilities to introduce electric school buses, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality for children and communities. Zum positions itself as a leader in sustainable student mobility, aligning fleet electrification with broader climate goals. What makes Zum unique is its integrated approach combining a managed services model with proprietary technology and a growing electric vehicle fleet. Rather than simply selling software, Zum takes on the full operational responsibility of running transportation programs for school districts, making it easier for districts to transition to greener, more efficient systems without the burden of fleet ownership or logistics management.

About Zūm:

Zūm is revolutionizing mass mobility with its Connected Mobility Experience (Zūm CMX™) system that connects and coordinates people, vehicles, and operations in real time. In the $50 billion student mobility market – the largest segment of the mass mobility industry – Zūm CMX is transforming a daily source of anxiety and disruption into a reliable, transparent, and efficient mobility experience for students and families. Today, more than 4,500 schools rely on Zūm CMX. Recognized globally for its innovative approach and operational execution, Zūm has been named to Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies, CNBC Disruptor 50 and Changemakers, the World Economic Forum, and the Financial Times’ Fastest Growing Companies lists. Zūm is backed by leading investors including Sequoia Capital, GIC, TPG, and Softbank.

About the Role

We're seeking an experienced Dispatcher to lead daily transportation operations and serve as the critical communication hub at our Rockford, IL location. This role encompasses the complete dispatch lifecycle—from daily route assignments and driver coordination to emergency response and real-time problem-solving. You'll ensure seamless service delivery by orchestrating drivers, vehicles, and routes while maintaining constant communication with school districts, families, and internal teams. You'll be the operational heartbeat of our transportation service, ensuring every student gets to school safely and on time, every single day.

What Makes You Successful in This Role

You're the calm in the storm, the person who can juggle ten things at once and still remember to check in on that driver who's running five minutes behind. You thrive when the phones are ringing, routes need adjusting, and a bus just broke down on Main Street. You're a quick thinker who stays cool under pressure, makes smart decisions on the fly, and somehow manages to keep everyone informed and on track. You genuinely enjoy being the go-to problem solver, whether you're helping a new driver navigate an unfamiliar route, coordinating with the shop on a repair, or reassuring a parent that their child's bus is on the way. You've got great communication skills, a knack for prioritizing what matters most, and the kind of steady, reliable presence that makes people trust you to get things handled.

Responsibilities

Daily Operations & Route Management

Direct and monitor daily assignments, schedule drivers, and assign vehicles to ensure full route coverage and on-time completion of all driver activitiesCommunicate all relevant details of driving assignments to drivers to ensure proper execution, and assist with routing directions and special service assignmentsCoordinate vehicle service and repairs with the Maintenance Manager to ensure uninterrupted service delivery

Communication & Emergency Response

Respond to emergency calls and coordinate the emergency response networkNotify stakeholders and location personnel of all route changes, emergencies, accidents, breakdowns, or service disruptions, and handle customer concerns promptly and professionallyProvide real-time operational support to drivers including assistance with traffic issues, routing questions, and emergency situations, escalating unresolved issues appropriatelyCompliance &

Administrative Operations

Maintain route documentation and records including contracts, customer information, route changes, maps, vehicle assignments, and driver details to ensure accuracy and compliance with district and state requirementsEnsure strict adherence to dispatch standard operating procedures and recommend disciplinary action for policy violations in coordination with managementTrack and document operational activities, incidents, and communications for reporting purposes while partnering with Location Manager and Safety Manager on compliance objectives

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalentProficiency with Microsoft or G Suite applications (Sheets, Docs, Slides, etc.)

Experience in high-pressure, time-sensitive operations (e.g., transportation, logistics, field services, customer service, hospitality, or similar fast-paced environments)

Preferred Qualifications:

Background in a leadership, supervisory, or management capacity within fast-paced operational environmentsPrevious school busing or transportation experience, either as a driver or dispatcher is a plus

Knowledge of state DOT/DMV safety rules and company compliance expectations

Excellent oral and written communication skills with strong interpersonal abilities

Experience working in a union environment

Comprehensive knowledge of the local area, including traffic patterns, road restrictions, neighborhoods, and geography of the school district is highly desirable

Strong organizational, prioritization, and time management skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, coordinate scheduling and task assignments, maintain accurate records and filing systems, and track assets and inventory

The targeted base salary range for this role is listed in the compensation section below. Actual salary may be above or below this range based on factors such as location, skills, and relevant experience. In addition, this position may include additional compensation in the form of bonus, equity, or commissions. If you are a full-time salaried or hourly worker, we offer the following benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Holidays, Wellness, Vacation, and more. The targeted pay range for this role is up to $31/hr- $33/hr

Zūm Services, Inc. and all its subsidiaries provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.