Dispatch Manager Planner | Minneapolis, MN
Jefferson Lines - Full Time
About Jefferson Lines:
Jefferson Lines has been a cornerstone in the transportation industry, providing reliable and affordable bus services across the Midwest since 1919. We pride ourselves on our commitment to customer satisfaction and operational excellence. Join our dedicated team and contribute to a legacy of quality service.
Position Overview:
Jefferson Lines is looking for someone to lead dispatch and operational planning functions to deliver safe, reliable, and efficient scheduled service, charter, and tour operations. This person will supervise dispatchers; develop and maintain driver and motorcoach assignments; administer bids and rotations; and direct the daily response to service disruptions. Safety takes priority over schedule performance.
Key Responsibilities:
Dispatch Department leadership
- Lead company-wide dispatch activities, establish work priorities, and maintain consistent procedures and accountability across shifts and locations.
- Schedule dispatcher coverage and maintain backup coverage. Perform dispatch duties when needed.
Driver and Equipment Planning
- Develop, verify, and publish driver and vehicle plans. Maintain the rolling 54-hour operating plan and a two-week outlook on staffing, equipment availability, and uncovered work.
- Coordinate scheduled service, charter, tour, and special-event assignments with Driver Supervisors and appropriate departments; account for absences, training, holidays, and seasonal demand.
- Optimize driver rotations, bus rotations, relief points, and positioning to reduce avoidable deadhead, overtime, lodging expense, and service gaps while maintaining safe and workable assignments
Daily Operations and Service Recovery
- Monitor departures, arrivals, connections, driver check-ins, and equipment movements. Address late reports, missed assignments, delays, and capacity shortages promptly.
- Arrange protection drivers, replacement buses, relief, and approved lodging or transportation following breakdowns, collisions, severe weather, or other disruptions. Escalate cancellation and major service decisions to the Operations Manager.
- Monitor weather, construction, road closures, and community events; coordinate detours and communicate clear operating instructions and service changes to affected teams and partners.
Safety and Operational Accountability
- Oversee driver payroll, including review of mileage, hours, premiums, allowances, and supporting records for accuracy under applicable labor agreements and company policies. Coordinate timely payroll submission and resolve pay discrepancies with Payroll and Driver Supervisors.
- Maintain accurate dispatch logs and service disruption records and protect confidential information.
- Use Samsara, DCM, fleet and DVIR systems, and company communication tools to maintain a shared operational picture. Report coverage gaps, on-time performance, service disruptions, and avoidable operating costs; recommend improvements.
Pay: From $75,000.00 per year
Qualifications:
- Strong work ethics with a positive attitude.
- Two-year vocational or associate degree in business or related field, plus 2 years of related experience, or high school diploma or equivalent and a minimum of four years of relevant experience in transportation operations or dispatch experience, including one year of supervision
- Must have a valid driver's license and the ability to get a CDL within six (6) months.
- Motorcoach, intercity schedule service, and union workforce experience preferred.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
- Working knowledge of DOT/FMCSA/FTA requirements, hours of service, transportation scheduling, and labor agreement administration
- Ability to prioritize competing demands, respond calmly to emergencies, interpret regulations and operating procedures, and work independently and collaboratively
What We Offer:
- Opportunities for professional development and growth.
- A supportive and collaborative work environment.
- The chance to be part of a company with a rich history and a commitment to excellence.
Jefferson Lines has been providing our passengers with their #1 Bus Experience since 1919. From the beginning, we have valued reliable, affordable, and convenient transportation, and believe that this caliber of travel should be available to everyone. You'll find Jefferson Lines motor coaches in big cities, rural communities, college campuses, and everywhere in between, providing essential travel to tens of millions of passengers and actively supporting the communities we serve. Jefferson Lines has been voted Minnesota's Best Transportation Company for 5 years running. We credit our success and longevity (over 105 years in business!) to the incredible team that helps us carry out our mission every day.
Jefferson Partners, LP is an equal opportunity employer, family-owned and headquartered in our hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.