Router

About the Role

We're seeking an experienced Router to optimize and maintain school bus routes while serving as a critical partner to dispatch and operations teams. This role encompasses route planning, schedule optimization, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure efficient, accurate, and reliable transportation service. You'll work with Zum's routing software, school district partners, and internal teams to design routes that balance on-time performance, efficiency, and student experience. You'll be the analytical problem-solver who ensures every route is optimized and every schedule runs like clockwork.

What Makes You Successful in This Role

You love figuring out how all the pieces fit together, routes, timing, drivers, and students—with a focus on safety, efficiency and a keen eye for detail. You think strategically (knowing that one small route tweak can impact the whole operation), stay flexible when things change on the fly, and take real pride in building routes that actually work in the real world—not just on paper. You understand that safe, efficient routes mean kids get home to their families faster and drivers have better workdays, and that motivates you to continuously improve. You're comfortable diving into data and routing software, but you're equally good at explaining your recommendations to dispatchers and school administrators in a way that makes sense.

Responsibilities

Route Planning & Optimization

• Design school bus routes using Zum’s routing software, understanding fleet capacity and logistics constraints, and maximizing efficiency, accuracy, and on-time performance

• Critically analyze daily schedules to support on-time performance, efficient routing, and productivity objectives while maintaining positive user experience

• Continuously improve routes and communicate adjustments to all stakeholders in a timely manner

Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Run internal reports routinely to check for issues such as conflicts, delays, and inefficiencies, making necessary corrections

• Work with operations team to establish and monitor reports measuring operating metrics such as route times and on-time performance

• Provide timely feedback to supervisor/manager on issues and recommendations for route improvements and operational efficiency

Operational Support & Collaboration

• Work cross-functionally with internal teams and external customer staff to maintain routes during the school year, keeping safety, efficiency and accuracy in mind

• Meet with school officials as needed to keep routes current and accurate based on enrollment changes, school schedule updates, and operational needs

• Serve as backup to the dispatcher to support daily operations and ensure continuity of service

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent with proficiency in Microsoft or G Suite applications (Sheets, Docs, Slides, etc.)

• Minimum of two years' experience in education, transportation, logistics, or similar field

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

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong professional communication skills with the ability to interact effectively at all organizational levels, both internally and externally, through verbal and written channels

• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail

• Experience working in school bus transportation or a similar operational environment, including routing and dispatching

• Ability to adapt quickly and problem solve in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and work effectively under pressure

• Knowledge of special education transportation and IEP requirements

• Experience working with routing software and GPS systems