Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance

Aircraft Dispatcher
Charter Coordinator
City Dispatcher
Dispatcher (Dispatch)
Mine Dispatcher
Paratransit Dispatcher
School Bus Dispatcher
Taxi Dispatcher
Train Dispatcher
Truck Dispatcher

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.

Career Assessment
Career Assessment

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

Tools Used

Knowledge

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • Speaking

    Talking to others to convey information effectively.

  • Coordination

    Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

  • Monitoring

    Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

  • Reading Comprehension

    Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Abilities

  • Oral Comprehension

    The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

  • Oral Expression

    The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

  • Speech Clarity

    The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

  • Speech Recognition

    The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

  • 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?

  • High school diploma or equivalent
    47 %

    or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate

  • Some college, no degree
    26 %
  • Associate's degree
    8 %

Work Activities

  • Getting Information

    Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

    Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

  • Working with Computers

    Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems

    Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

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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.