Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
What is a Dispatcher, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance?
Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance, are professionals responsible for coordinating the movement of vehicles and personnel in various sectors, including transportation, utilities, and service industries. Their primary role involves receiving and relaying information regarding service requests, scheduling appointments, and ensuring efficient routing of personnel to deliver products or services. They use communication technologies such as two-way radios, telephones, and computerized systems to track the location and status of vehicles, as well as to communicate with drivers and field staff. Dispatchers must possess excellent organizational skills and the ability to work under pressure, as they often have to make quick decisions that can affect service delivery. Their work is crucial in ensuring that operations run smoothly and that customer needs are met promptly. Additionally, dispatchers may analyze data to improve efficiency, develop routes based on real-time conditions, and maintain records of services provided.
Tasks
- Schedule or dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles to appropriate locations, according to customer requests, specifications, or needs, using radios or telephones.
- Prepare daily work and run schedules.
- Confer with customers or supervising personnel to address questions, problems, or requests for service or equipment.
- Relay work orders, messages, or information to or from work crews, supervisors, or field inspectors, using telephones or two-way radios.
- Receive or prepare work orders.
Technology Skills
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Presentation software
- Mobile location based services software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Electronic mail software
Tools Used
- Two way radios
- Rail switching systems
- Railway signaling systems
- Special purpose telephones
- Interactive voice recognition equipment
Knowledge
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Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
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Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
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Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
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English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Skills
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Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
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Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Abilities
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Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
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Speech Recognition
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
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Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
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High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
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Some college, no degree
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Associate's degree
Work Activities
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Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
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Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Detailed Work Activities
- Schedule operational activities.
- Prepare employee work schedules.
- Relay information between personnel.
- Respond to customer problems or complaints.
- Operate communications equipment or systems.
Work Interests
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Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
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Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$32110.0 - $75840.0
New job opportunities are less likely in the future. : Below Average
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.