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As a dispatcher, your primary role is to answer emergency and non-emergency calls on the radios, phones or computers and respond to questions. Dispatchers assist people during emergencies by guiding and providing necessary information when they call. They usually work in emergency service industries, law enforcement agencies and shipping companies.

what do dispatcher jobs entail?

Your role as a dispatcher is to manage a multi-line control system and respond to phone calls and radios. For instance, if a client needs assistance on a ship, you relay the message to the relevant authorities and get them the help they need. In the transportation industry, your job involves monitoring transport routes and checking the status of field units to ensure productivity.

what is a typical work schedule for dispatchers

Emergency services companies provide round-the-clock coverage, which means dispatchers have to work shift schedules to cover office hours and nights. Hence, your shifts will include weekends, early mornings and public holidays. Part-time opportunities are rare if you work in an emergency dispatch centre or police dispatch.

In the shipping and transport industries, dispatchers don't have to work 24/7, especially if the trucks only operate during the day. However, you still work a full-time schedule within the standard 8 am to 6 pm office hours. Sometimes, you have to work extra hours when the trucks haven't arrived at their destination or the field units need assistance. Part-time opportunities are available in the shipping industry. Some companies also provide flexible work arrangements like remote work since you can operate the multi-line control systems anywhere.

what are the pros of dispatcher jobs?

Advantages of working as a dispatcher include:

• Helping people: Becoming a dispatcher is a fulfilling career since you spend your workday assisting people. Emergency dispatchers help during crisis mode and offer comfort and solutions. In case of an accident, you give instructions on first aid techniques.
• Great compensation package: The basic salary of a dispatcher is promising. Besides, you receive multiple benefits, including paid vacation, medical and life insurance and contribution to a pension scheme. Some companies also pay overtime hours and bonuses, which boosts your earnings.
• Exciting work environment: As an emergency dispatcher, you interact with law enforcement and emergency services members. You will have networking opportunities with members of law enforcement. While you spend most of the day on your desk, the calls that come in are unpredictable and require different skills.
• Minimal entry requirements: A dispatcher doesn't need a degree or specialized training. You can join the profession with a high school diploma and basic computer skills. You learn most of the duties through on-the-job training and on-boarding programs.

what are the cons of dispatcher jobs?

Some of the disadvantages of becoming a dispatcher include:

• Long work hours: Whether you work in emergency services or transport companies, you will still work long hours. Most employers break down the hours with shift schedules, but you are always on call in case of emergencies. Besides, your shift could take up to 12 hours or longer if your department is understaffed.
• Sedimentary work: A dispatcher spends the day on their desk receiving calls and liaising with emergency responders. When you are working long shifts, sitting encourages a sedentary lifestyle. Fortunately, most employers provide breaks, and you can exercise outside work hours to stay fit.
• Occasional stress: As a dispatcher, you should expect traumatic experiences. For instance, you deal with the pressure of saving people during emergencies. Lives depend on your actions, which can increase your stress levels. However, employers provide adequate training and counselling services if you need to talk about a traumatic experience.

what are common dispatcher interview questions?

You should familiarize yourself with common interview questions for dispatchers. Some of the questions include:

• What is your motivation for becoming a dispatcher? Since the hiring manager wants to understand your interest and passion, explain how your skills make you the perfect fit for the job. Alternatively, you can highlight the inspiration and expectations for becoming a dispatcher.
• What challenges did you face as a dispatcher in your last role? Describe a scenario or challenge you faced in the past and how you overcame it. Your response should showcase your problem-solving skills, which are crucial for dispatchers.
• What dispatching systems have you used in the past? Here the hiring manager is trying to determine your familiarity with dispatching systems. You don't have to know the system they are using, but expertise in different types of software will improve your prospects.

dispatcher resume and cover letter requirements

As a dispatcher, your resume should contain the following information:

• Contact details and personal information
• Work experience related to the dispatcher role
• Relevant skills and competencies
• Educational qualifications including short courses
• Certifications and accomplishments
• Hobbies and interests pertinent to dispatcher roles

Apart from crafting a dispatcher's resume, you need a cover letter to improve your job prospects. Your cover letter provides additional information on your experience and competencies that make you a perfect fit for the role. Don't forget to use relevant keywords and hard figures to illustrate your achievements.

what is the job outlook for dispatchers?

Your career prospects depend on your specialism. The role of a dispatcher is the first step into law enforcement or emergency services. For instance, you can join the fire department, emergency medical services and other first responders with additional training. Alternatively, join the police academy and become a law enforcement officer.

In Canada, the demand for dispatchers in transport and emergency services is likely to increase, with job openings between 2019 and 2028 projected at 13,500. The job openings are from retirements and rise in demand, while new dispatchers are expected to increase to 12,600 within the period.

what are the different types of dispatcher jobs?

Some of the types of dispatchers include:

• Emergency dispatcher: As an emergency dispatcher, your primary responsibility is to help people during emergencies. For instance, a police dispatcher receives calls from people reporting crimes that need police intervention. As a dispatcher, your job is to inform the relevant authorities and recommend safety measures as your caller waits for law enforcement.
• Fire dispatcher: A fire dispatcher works in emergency services. You are the contact person when there is a fire outbreak. You have to alert the fire department to dispatch units to the area and help your caller minimize damage and injury. For instance, you can instruct them to find a fire exit and leave the building and ways to avoid smoke inhalation.
• Medical dispatchers: In case of a medical emergency, medical dispatchers help callers with first aid and provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instructions. They also relay information to ambulance and emergency units in the field.
• Transport and service dispatcher: As a transport dispatcher, you update drivers' logs and maintain records for trucks on the road. You are the liaison person between vendors, clients and drivers. Hence, you ensure the delivery process is efficient, and trucks arrive at the destination on time. You also record daily deliveries and supervise drivers to ensure they observe road rules. During emergencies, drivers contact you for assistance.
• Railroad dispatcher: Your job is to ensure uninterrupted movement of the train. That means you are in charge of the operations, railroad equipment and resources. You also recommend changes to train movements in case of poor traffic conditions and ensure all employees observe the stipulated regulations.
• Flight dispatcher: A flight dispatcher keeps tabs on the flight path, plane performance and weather conditions like turbulence and whirlwind that could be problematic. You work at the operation centre in airports but don't communicate with the pilot.

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what is the average salary for dispatchers?

In Canada, the average salary of a dispatcher is $40,994 annually or $21.02 per hour. At an entry-level position, your starting salary is $34,125 per year. When you build up your skills and experience level, your earnings increase to $56,038 per year. You can boost your earnings with overtime pay and bonuses and enjoy various non-monetary benefits. Your compensation package often relies on your specialism. For instance, a truck dispatcher earns an average salary of $45,000 per year, while an emergency dispatcher earns $39,000 yearly. Your experience and skills also influence your wages. When you have years of experience, you qualify for higher pay compared to new dispatchers starting their careers. Some locations also pay more due to the cost of living and demand for dispatchers. For instance, you are likely to earn more in Alberta than in Manitoba.

average dispatcher salaries in canada

• annual: $40,994
• monthly: $3,416.15
• weekly: $788.34
• hourly: $21.02

Top paying areas for dispatchers in Canada include: Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Quebec and Ontario.

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what are the duties and responsibilities of dispatchers?

Typical duties and responsibilities of a dispatcher include:

• Receiving calls and alarm system alerts: As a dispatcher, you are the first point of contact for people who need assistance. Your job is to understand the emergency and record the caller's location. Sometimes, you have to help them calm down and solve the problems.
• Sending the right emergency responders: Sometimes, callers provide unclear information, and your job is to figure out the problem and ensure they get help. For instance, if a caller reports a fire outbreak, you need to send the fire department while medical emergencies require ambulances. When you are uncertain of the help required, send police officers to check on the caller.
• Monitoring the location of on-duty police officers and emergency personnel: When you are the police dispatcher, you monitor the movements of on-duty police officers through the police radio traffic. It makes it easier to find the closest police officer for your callers. You should also keep track of the fire and ambulance units to provide accurate waiting times to the caller.
• Documenting every call and response protocol: You need to record emergency and non-emergency calls made throughout the day. Keeping such records is mandatory since they can be useful in criminal cases. You log essential facts like the time, caller's name and nature of the incident. If you dispatch units, indicate the units dispatched and time in your report.
• Scheduling and dispatching drivers: As a dispatcher in the transport sector, your job is to schedule drivers and trucks. You determine the routes a driver takes and the time necessary to complete a delivery. You also relay work orders to supervisors and field inspectors before the truck departs.
• Staying in touch with drivers: A dispatcher communicates with drivers and workers using two-way radios or phone calls throughout the journey. You may relay additional instructions or provide solutions to problems they encounter on the road. If an accident occurs involving the company's truck, you should contact the emergency services.

where do dispatchers typically work?

The major employers of dispatchers in Canada include:

• Local governments
• State government
• Ambulance services
• Private security firms
• Police stations and fire departments
• Transport companies
• Aeronautic industries

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what skills and competencies do dispatchers need?

Dispatchers need the following hard and soft skills:

• Decision-making skills: You have to be a fast decision-maker in high-pressure situations to succeed in your role. Most emergencies require acting on your feet, and delays in decision-making can have serious ramifications. Decision-making skills also help you prioritize emergency calls that need urgent attention and evaluate the suitable emergency personnel to send to the scene.
• Communication skills: As a dispatcher, you liaise with callers and emergency responders. Any miscommunication can lead to delays and impact emergency response. Communication skills help you find relevant information from the callers and relay it to the emergency teams. If you guide a caller through a first-aid procedure, it is crucial to communicate using simple language. Listening skills also boost your communication efforts and response time.
• Compassion and empathy: A dispatcher should be empathetic and compassionate when talking to callers. You have to be comfortable talking to emotional, stressed or panicked individuals without judging them. Empathy helps you acknowledge the caller's situation and concerns. Your tone should be understanding and calm, even if the caller is unfriendly. The compassion in your voice and calmness reassure your caller and help them stay calm.
• Multitasking skills: Many people call emergency services. For every call, you need to record and document the nature of the emergency and find the nearest responders to go to the scene. Multitasking skills help you handle tasks without mixing up incident reports or sending the wrong emergency team to a scene.
• Technological abilities: Modern emergency response centres use computer programs to monitor, receive and record phone calls. Computer skills come in handy when you are operating computer-aided dispatch systems. You also need a technological aptitude to manage multi-line phone systems, national databases and emergency alert systems.

what training and certifications do dispatchers need?

You don't require a degree or diploma course to become a dispatcher. However, any post-secondary certification improves your job prospects. Most employers require dispatchers to have a high school diploma and willingness to learn. You will attend training before starting your job to help you understand the basics. Some companies require certifications in advanced first aid and CPR, suicide intervention techniques, critical incident and stressors training and protocols for emergency dispatch. Experience in similar roles also increases your employability.

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