Date Posted: July 7, 2026
Job Title: Bus Operations Dispatcher / Transit Dispatcher
Company: Lawton Area Transit System (LATS)
Location: Lawton, Oklahoma
Pay: From $17.50 per hour
Schedule: Monday through Friday, scheduled anytime between 5:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Typically 8-hour shifts. Some Saturdays may be required.
Work Location: In person
Benefits: Eligible after 60 days
Job Description
Lawton Area Transit System is now hiring a Bus Operations Dispatcher / Transit Dispatcher to support daily public transportation operations in Lawton, Oklahoma. This position is an important part of keeping bus service safe, reliable, organized, and on schedule for passengers, drivers, and the community.
The Bus Operations Dispatcher will assist with driver communication, route monitoring, passenger support, service updates, scheduling coordination, dispatch records, emergency communication, and daily transit operations. This role is ideal for someone with experience in transportation dispatching, public transit operations, bus dispatching, logistics, fleet coordination, CDL driving, customer service, scheduling, or operations support.
The ideal candidate is dependable, organized, professional, calm under pressure, and able to make quick decisions in a fast-paced transportation environment.
Key Responsibilities
Dispatch Communication
Serve as a primary point of contact between bus drivers, passengers, supervisors, maintenance staff, and other LATS personnel.
Communicate route updates, service delays, operational instructions, schedule changes, bus assignments, and service information to drivers.
Use two-way radios, phones, dispatch software, computer systems, email, and other communication tools to support daily bus operations.
Provide clear, professional, and timely communication during routine service and unexpected disruptions.
Route Monitoring and Bus Operations Support
Monitor bus routes, schedules, arrivals, departures, route performance, service status, and driver activity.
Track route delays, missed stops, service interruptions, traffic issues, passenger concerns, and operational updates.
Help ensure fixed route and public transportation services operate safely, efficiently, and on schedule.
Keep accurate records of driver communication, bus activity, route changes, schedule adjustments, and service concerns.
Problem Solving and Service Coordination
Respond to traffic delays, vehicle issues, mechanical concerns, passenger complaints, accidents, emergencies, weather-related delays, and other service disruptions.
Provide drivers with support, direction, and communication during stressful or time-sensitive situations.
Coordinate with supervisors, maintenance staff, drivers, and emergency personnel when needed.
Help maintain safe, reliable, and professional transit service throughout the Lawton service area.
Customer Service
Assist passengers with questions about bus routes, schedules, fares, service hours, stops, policies, and general transit information.
Respond to passenger concerns, complaints, and service-related questions in a respectful and professional manner.
Provide helpful, accurate, and clear information to the public.
Represent LATS with professionalism, patience, and strong customer service.
Data Entry, Records, and Reporting
Maintain organized records related to bus schedules, dispatch activity, route performance, service disruptions, passenger concerns, and daily operations.
Use Microsoft Office, dispatch software, scheduling systems, and computer programs to enter and track operational information.
Assist with reports related to service reliability, route activity, driver communication, and daily transit performance.
Ensure records are accurate, detailed, and completed in a timely manner.
Emergency Response Communication
Assist with communication during accidents, emergencies, severe weather, safety concerns, road closures, detours, and service interruptions.
Coordinate information between drivers, supervisors, maintenance, emergency services, law enforcement, and other appropriate personnel when needed.
Follow LATS safety procedures, emergency response protocols, and operational guidelines.
Technology and Software Use
Use computerized dispatch systems, route monitoring tools, scheduling software, Microsoft Office, email, phones, radios, and transportation-related programs.
Maintain accurate information in dispatch and operations systems.
Use basic computer skills to support communication, reporting, scheduling, and daily transit operations.
Qualifications
Previous experience in transportation dispatching, bus dispatching, public transportation, logistics, fleet operations, scheduling, customer service, CDL driving, or a related field is preferred.
Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills required.
Ability to remain calm, professional, and focused during stressful situations.
Ability to make quick and informed decisions in a fast-paced operations environment.
Basic computer skills and Microsoft Office experience required.
Experience with dispatch software, scheduling software, route monitoring tools, or transportation systems preferred.
Must be dependable, punctual, and able to work assigned shifts between 5:00 AM and 8:00 PM.
Some Saturday availability may be required.
Active CDL is preferred.
Must obtain and maintain a full CDL with Passenger Endorsement as required by LATS.
Preferred Experience
Transit dispatcher
Bus dispatcher
Transportation dispatcher
Public transportation operations
Fixed route operations
Bus operations
Route coordination
Transportation scheduling
Fleet dispatching
Fleet operations
Logistics coordination
CDL driving
Passenger transportation
Customer service
Call center or radio communication
Microsoft Office
Computerized dispatch systems
Scheduling software
Benefits
Starting pay from $17.50 per hour
Benefits eligible after 60 days
401(k)
Dental insurance
Employee discount
Flexible schedule
Health insurance
Paid time off
Vision insurance
Steady full-time schedule
Professional team environment
Opportunity to serve the Lawton community through public transportation
Why Join Lawton Area Transit System?
At Lawton Area Transit System, our team helps keep the Lawton community connected. As a Bus Operations Dispatcher, you play a key role in supporting drivers, assisting passengers, monitoring bus service, and helping daily transit operations run safely and efficiently.
This is a great opportunity for someone who takes pride in communication, teamwork, safety, customer service, and dependable public service. If you are organized, reliable, and ready to be part of an essential transportation team, we encourage you to apply.
Application Questions
Do you currently have an active CDL?
Have you ever interviewed with Lawton Area Transit System before? If yes, when?
Equal Opportunity Employer
Lawton Area Transit System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds and experience levels to apply.
Pay: From $17.50 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
