Dispatcher

Description

Position at Span Alaska Transportation (MSTS)

About Us

Span Alaska Transportation, established in 1978, is a premier, asset-based freight forwarding company serving the great state of Alaska. Our dedicated team provides outstanding service with exceptional care and attention to detail. We are always interested in extraordinary people with proven skills who are dependable team players and bring out the best in others. Our supportive and empowering work environment is the foundation of the superior service, customer experience, and satisfaction we are known for within our industry. Matson is honored to be certified as a Great Place to Work. Our team of dedicated and talented employees consistently deliver exceptional results for our customers and the communities in which we serve. At Span Alaska Transportation, you'll join a transportation team focused on safe, reliable equipment and strong operational support. We invest in our people through meaningful work, hands-on development, and a culture built on safety, accountability, and teamwork. As part of our team, you can expect:

• Competitive base pay
• Incentive compensation opportunities tied to business performance for all positions
• Comprehensive health and welfare benefits
• Paid Time Off (PTO), Sick Leave, and paid holidays
• Retirement plan with 100% vesting after one year of employment
• A safety-first, team-oriented work environment
• Opportunities to develop fleet-management, maintenance, and leadership expertise Position Summary The Dispatcher coordinates and routes drivers to support safe, timely, and efficient freight movement. This position assigns and maintains driver schedules, monitors routes and delivery activity, communicates schedule changes, updates shipment information, and maintains positive working relationships with drivers, warehouse staff, customers, vendors, contractors, and suppliers.

Key Responsibilities

Dispatch, Routing & Driver Coordination

• Assign drivers, destinations, routes, and timelines based on operational needs.
• Dispatch drivers and track route progress while drivers are en route.
• Maintain routing schedules and communicate schedule, route, or priority changes promptly.
• Keep drivers and warehouse personnel informed of current schedules and operational changes.
• Exercise sound judgment when prioritizing assignments and responding to changing conditions.

Customer, Vendor & Team Support

• Interact with customers by telephone and in person in a courteous and professional manner.
• Maintain positive working relationships and clear communication with customers, vendors, contractors, suppliers, drivers, and warehouse staff.
• Provide current information regarding routes, schedules, pickups, deliveries, and service changes.
• Handle operational information with appropriate discretion when communication is confidential in nature.

Shipment Tracking & Documentation

• Update the shipment tracking system as needed and help maintain timely, accurate data.
• Process freight-related paperwork and review documents for completeness and accuracy.
• Read and interpret schedules, maps, hazardous materials documents, and other operational paperwork.

Operational Support & General Duties

• Assist in the warehouse or yard when operationally necessary.
• Assist with local freight pickup and delivery when necessary.
• Provide relief support for receiving when necessary.
• Assist with loading or unloading vehicles, trailers, or containers when necessary.
• Move freight within the yard or warehouse using a forklift or other equipment as needed.
• Consistently follow all safety policies, processes, and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills & Abilities

• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Strong customer service and professional relationship-building skills
• Sound judgment and decision-making ability
• Ability to focus, prioritize, organize, and manage changing demands
• Ability to use dispatch radios, telephones, and shipment tracking systems
• Ability to read schedules, maps, hazardous materials documents, and freight paperwork
• Working knowledge of dispatch operations preferred
• Knowledge of safe lifting techniques and warehouse safety practices
• Ability to operate a forklift
• Consistent awareness of and commitment to safety processes and procedures
• Digital & A.I. Proficiency: Demonstrates effective use of AI tools, analytics platforms and automation agents to identify opportunities, improve decision-making and streamline workflows/processes
• Basic familiarity with AI and generative AI tools is preferred
• Familiarity with or interest in AI tools and technologies is a plus

Special Certifications & Licenses

• Hazardous Materials Certification
• Forklift Certification
• Valid Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), preferred

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED required
• Minimum of one year of relevant experience required
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the necessary qualifications to successfully perform the position will be considered

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to push, pull, lift, and carry up to 75 pounds
• Ability to sit for extended periods
• Ability to operate dispatch-related equipment and perform repetitive hand and arm movements, including grasping, bending, handling, reaching, fingering, and feeling/touching
• Ability to work primarily in an office environment with occasional work outdoors, in the yard or warehouse, or in a company vehicle
• Potential exposure to weather conditions, vehicle exhaust fumes, and environmental noise
• Ability to work mandatory overtime when operationally necessary

Supervision This position is non-supervisory. At Span Alaska, we're looking for people to build a unified team to maintain our values of trust, integrity, and reliability. We welcome people who think rigorously and thoughtfully challenge assumptions. #SAT

Matson is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, parental status, ancestry, disability, AIDS/HIV status, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected status. Qualified applicants with arrest and/or conviction records will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with federal and state laws, as well as applicable local ordinances, including, but not limited to, the San Francisco and Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinances.

View our applicant privacy statement: https://www.matson.com/media/Applicant_Privacy_Statement.pdf.