A dispatcher is an essential cog in the communications and public safety departments. They receive and communicate logistical information to concerned stakeholders- callers and drivers.

The dispatcher job’s outlook has been fairly positive where dispatcher jobs have grown by 8% in the last decade. Dispatcher job demand is rising, with 9800 new jobs coming up every year to fill by 2029.

The major responsibilities of a dispatcher include dispatching emergency and non-emergency services, relaying information from and to the field, while also catering to the needs of the customer. As a result, a dispatcher is an indispensable part of the customer service ecosystem.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about the dispatcher’s job description. Here are a few FAQs related to the dispatcher job:

• Who is a dispatcher?
• How much do truck dispatchers make?
• How to write a 911 dispatcher job description?
• How to write a truck dispatcher job description?
• How to become a dispatcher for truck drivers?
• What are the skills of a dispatcher?
• What qualities do you need to be a dispatcher?

What Is a Dispatcher?

A dispatcher responds to the emergency and non-emergency calls. While answering emergency calls, they act as a bridge between the public safety department and a caller in need of help. They dispatch emergency services to the concerned caller while guiding the caller on the next steps.

In a non-emergency call scenario, say a shipping industry, a dispatcher ensures smooth deliveries of products and services to customers. They maintain call logs, update logistical information on the database, and record specifications given by customers. They receive and dispatch orders.

A dispatcher essentially is the first point of contact in both emergency and non-emergency scenarios.

Also Read: How to make an impressive dispatcher resume?

What Is the Salary of a Dispatcher?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a dispatcher makes $22.44 per hour in the United States. The median annual pay is $46,670 in the United States.

How to Write a Dispatcher Job Description?

Do you wish to work as a dispatcher?
If you plan to work as a dispatcher, you would come across the dispatcher job description with the following sections:

• Job Title
• Job Summary
• Duties and Responsibilities
• Qualifications
• Skills

These sections are designed to give an overview of the job and the candidate’s requirements.

Job Title for Dispatcher Job Description

The dispatcher job description would have an apt title for the role. It would mention the designation for which the company is looking to hire.

For instance, a dispatcher in the public safety department would be called Public Safety Telecommunicator or Emergency Services Dispatcher. A dispatcher in the shipping industry would be called a customer service executive or service dispatcher.

The popular dispatcher job titles that you would come across in dispatcher job description are:

• Emergency Dispatcher
• 911 dispatcher
• Public safety dispatcher
• Public safety telecommunicator
• Truck dispatcher jobs
• Bus dispatcher
• Tow-truck dispatcher
• Gas and water service dispatcher
• Railroad dispatcher
• Crew dispatcher
• Airline dispatcher

Job Summary for Dispatcher Job Description

A well-written dispatcher job description provides an appealing summary to the candidate seeking the job. The job summary gives an overview of the job. It outlines the tasks associated, expectations of the employer, and qualifications and skills required of the candidate.

The job summary also shares the employer’s criteria for shortlisting the candidate. For instance, the dispatcher job summary “a dispatcher with 1-2 years of experience in a similar role with demonstrated data entry experience required…”, gives a clear criterion for selecting candidates.

Dispatcher job summary sample: “We require an experienced dispatcher who will be the first point of contact between our customers and service personnel. You will be in charge of updating orders, handling customers' queries, and coordinating with the field unit. As a skilled quick service dispatcher, you will maintain call logs, guide customers, relay information, and dispatch services ensuring the least turnaround time.”

Use keywords from the job summary in your dispatcher's resume to increase your chances of getting shortlisted.

Also Read: How to match the resume summary section with the job description?

Job Responsibilities of Dispatcher Job Description

The next section mentioned in the dispatcher job description is responsibilities and duties. This is the most detailed section in the job description and clearly states the everyday functioning of the employee.

The dispatcher’s duties include taking calls, recording information, guiding the caller, updating the database, providing answers to customers’ queries, dispatching orders, and providing details to the driver for smoother deliveries.

The general responsibilities of a dispatcher are:

• Dispatching emergency services, field units, crew, vehicles, and drivers to the required location
• Recording important information from the caller, field unit, and emergency personnel and updating it on the database
• Operating a multi-line phone, radio, and computer ensures the smooth functioning of dispatch services
• Addressing queries of customers and providing solutions
• Maintaining a record of everyday calls

Qualification for Dispatcher Job Description

The minimum educational qualification required for a dispatcher is a high school graduate or equivalent degree. If you have a high school graduate degree and are at least 18 years of age, you can apply to the dispatcher job description without hesitation.

Although most dispatchers have a high school diploma or a GED, you can increase your chances of getting a job by further pursuing a bachelor’s or associate’s degree. Approximately 38% of emergency personnel dispatchers hold a bachelor's degree, while 27% hold an associate’s degree.

Go through the qualification requirements to understand the specific agency or state certification requirements you may need- stress management, criminal justice, data entry skills, etc.

Also Read: How to write the educational background in your resume?

Skills for Dispatcher Job Description

The requirements section in the dispatcher job description contains the skills and qualifications required for the role. The skills required for a dispatcher role are both job-related and personality-based traits.

For instance, a person who is excellent at multi-tasking is a natural choice when selecting from a pool of dispatcher job candidates. A person who does not work well under pressure is not an ideal candidate for the job.

Some of the dispatcher skills you will find in a dispatcher job description are:
Hard Skills

• MS Office
• Computer-aided dispatch (CAD)
• Data Entry
• English language
• Emergency processes

Soft Skills

• Multitasking
• Sound judgment
• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Active listener
• Work under pressure

Also Read: What are the top skills to put on a resume?

Key Takeaways

A dispatcher is in charge of handling emergency and non-emergency calls, assisting the caller, guiding them about rules and regulations, dispatching personnel, orders, and deliveries on the ground, and coordinating with drivers. Read the dispatcher job description carefully if you want to become a controller.

• The dispatcher job description contains the job title, summary, duties, and qualifications sections.
• The controller job title can suggest if the position is for the public safety department or the shipping industry.
• The summary of the dispatcher job description outlines the job overview and the expectations of the employer.
• The dispatcher's duties convey the day-to-day functioning of the employee.
• The minimum qualification for a dispatcher is a high school diploma or GED, though many candidates now go for further studies to increase their chances of getting shortlisted.
• The dispatcher job role requires a combination of soft and hard skills in a candidate that you must excel at, such as communication and computer skills.

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