This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.
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.
Also Known As:Aircraft Dispatcher, Airplane Dispatch Clerk, Auto Service Dispatcher (Automotive Service Dispatcher), Automobile Rental Dispatcher, Bus Dispatcher, Bus Starter, Bus and Trolley Dispatcher, Cab Starter +68 more
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.
Record and maintain files or records of customer requests, work or services performed, charges, expenses, inventory, or other dispatch information.
Arrange for necessary repairs to restore service and schedules.
Monitor personnel or equipment locations and utilization to coordinate service and 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.
Supplemental Tasks (2)
Oversee all communications within specifically assigned territories.
Order supplies or equipment and issue them to personnel.
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
47%
Some College Courses
26%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
8%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
7%
Bachelor's Degree
7%
Less than a High School Diploma
5%
Technology & Tools
★ Hot Technologies
Kronos Workforce Timekeeper
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Dynamics
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Word
SAP software
Software (35)
Air-Trak Cloudberry
Bornemann Associates Flight Plan
Command Alkon COMMANDconcrete
Computer aided design CAD software
Computer aided dispatch software
Computer aided dispatching auto routing software
Database software
Digital Gateway e-automate
Dr. Dispatch
ESRI ArcIMS
Email software
Geomechanical design analysis GDA software
Global positioning system GPS software
Locomotive distribution software
Rail Traffic Track Warrant Control System
Resource management software
Routing software
Sabre travel agent software
Scheduling software
Situation resource tracking software
TMW PowerSuite
Tangier Sky Scheduler View
Transportation management software
Web browser software
Word processing software
Tools & Equipment (17)
Call management systems CMS
Centralized traffic control units
Desktop computers
Dispatch servers
Job dispatch and vehicle tracking systems
Mobile data terminal MDT equipment
Mobile radios
Multi-line telephone systems
Personal banking chamber PBC telephones
Personal computers
Signal controls
Switch controls
Teletypewriters TTY
Touch screen monitors
Tower switching machines
Two way radios
Voice over internet protocol VoIP systems
Where This Career Leads
Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.
Public Safety Financial Services
Zone 2
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