Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance

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This occupation is part of the Office and Administrative Support cluster

About the Job

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.

It is also Called

  • Aircraft Dispatcher
  • Airplane Dispatch Clerk
  • Alarm Operator
  • Assistant Chief Train Dispatcher
  • Auto Service Dispatcher
  • Automobile or Truck Rental Dispatcher
  • Burglar Alarm Operator
  • Bus and Trolley Dispatcher
  • Bus Dispatcher
  • Bus Starter

What They Do

  • Schedule or dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles to appropriate locations, according to customer requests, specifications, or needs, using radios or telephones.
  • 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.
  • Receive or prepare work orders.
  • Relay work orders, messages, or information to or from work crews, supervisors, or field inspectors, using telephones or two-way radios.
  • Record and maintain files or records of customer requests, work or services performed, charges, expenses, inventory, or other dispatch information.
  • Prepare daily work and run schedules.
  • Determine types or amounts of equipment, vehicles, materials, or personnel required, according to work orders or specifications.
  • Advise personnel about traffic problems, such as construction areas, accidents, congestion, weather conditions, or other hazards.
  • Arrange for necessary repairs to restore service and schedules.

Interests

People who work in this occupation generally have the interest code: CRE.

This means people who work in this occupation generally have Conventional interests, but also prefer Realistic and Enterprising environments.

Work Values

People who work in this occupation generally prize Support, but also value Independence and Working Conditions in their jobs.

Things They Need to Know

  • 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.
  • Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
  • 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.
  • Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Things They Need to Be Able to Do

  • 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.
  • Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Education Required

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Wages

In 2012, the average annual wage in California was $40,640.00 with most people making between $22,550.00 and $63,760.00

Outlook

2.00%
avg. annual growth

During 2010, this occupation employed approximately 20,000 people in California. It is projected that there will be 24,000 employed in 2020.

This occupation will have about 400 openings due to growth and about 380 replacement openings for approximately 780 total annual openings.

Common College Majors

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