Dispatchers (not including Police, Fire, and Ambulance)

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Also known as:
Airplane Dispatch Clerk, Auto Service Dispatcher, Bus Dispatcher, Crew Dispatcher, Maintenance Dispatcher, School Bus Dispatcher, Taxicab Dispatcher, Tow Truck Dispatcher, Train Dispatcher, Truck Dispatcher

See all Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Careers.

ABOUT DISPATCHER CAREERS

Video transcript

Dispatchers are often the hub of communication--at a taxicab or busy company, as a tow truck dispatcher, or even at a gas or water company. A dispatcher plays a key role in relaying important information quickly and accurately.

Typically, a dispatcher is responsible for all communications within a certain area, and is required to keep records, logs and schedules of the calls they receive, the vehicles the monitor, and the response to each call. Handling calls efficiently and being able to prioritize them immediately are important skills for a dispatcher, since confusion can result in delays or disruptions of service.

Your decision as a dispatcher effect the company's ability to operate safely and efficiently, so there is some stress involved, but the satisfactions of being such a vital link can be very rewarding.

SNAPSHOT

Schedule and dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles for conveyance of materials, freight, or passengers, or for normal installation, service, or emergency repairs rendered outside the place of business. Duties may include using radio, telephone, or computer to transmit assignments and compiling statistics and reports on work progress.

Leadership	HIGH
Critical decision making	HIGH
Level of responsibilities	HIGH
Job challenge and pressure to meet deadlines	HIGH
Dealing and handling conflict	LOW

Competition for this position	MED
Communication with others	HIGH
Work closely with team members, clients etc.	HIGH
Comfort of the work setting	HIGH
Exposure to extreme environmental conditions	LOW
Exposure to job hazards	LOW
Physical demands	LOW

Daily tasks

Arrange for necessary repairs to restore service and schedules.

Determine types or amounts of equipment, vehicles, materials, or personnel required, according to work orders or specifications.

Receive or prepare work orders.

Oversee all communications within specifically assigned territories.

Confer with customers or supervising personnel to address questions, problems, or requests for service or equipment.

Monitor personnel or equipment locations and utilization to coordinate service and schedules.

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.

Record and maintain files or records of customer requests, work or services performed, charges, expenses, inventory, or other dispatch information.

Relay work orders, messages, or information to or from work crews, supervisors, or field inspectors, using telephones or two-way radios.

Advise personnel about traffic problems, such as construction areas, accidents, congestion, weather conditions, or other hazards.

MAIN ACTIVITIES

Getting Information	Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Interacting With Computers	Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Scheduling Work and Activities	Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

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

Making Decisions and Solving Problems	Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE

Transportation	Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
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.
English Language	Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

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.

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.

Clerical	Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Law and Government	Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Geography	Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

TOP 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.

Reading Comprehension	Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

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

Time Management	Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Service Orientation	Actively looking for ways to help people.

Writing	Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.