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.
1. Monitor personnel or equipment locations and utilization to coordinate service and schedules.
2. Schedule or dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles to appropriate locations, according to customer requests, specifications, or needs, using radios or telephones.
3. Oversee all communications within specifically assigned territories.
4. Relay work orders, messages, or information to or from work crews, supervisors, or field inspectors, using telephones or two-way radios.
5. Confer with customers or supervising personnel to address questions, problems, or requests for service or equipment.
6. Prepare daily work and run schedules.
7. Record and maintain files or records of customer requests, work or services performed, charges, expenses, inventory, or other dispatch information.
8. Receive or prepare work orders.
9. Determine types or amounts of equipment, vehicles, materials, or personnel required, according to work orders or specifications.
10. Advise personnel about traffic problems, such as construction areas, accidents, congestion, weather conditions, or other hazards.
11. Arrange for necessary repairs to restore service and schedules.
12. Ensure timely and efficient movement of trains, according to train orders and schedules.
13. Order supplies or equipment and issue them to personnel.
Key knowledge areas
The following key knowledge areas help a Dispatcher execute his duties better.
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.
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.
Skills
The following skills aid a Dispatcher carry out his/her duties with ease ;.
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.
Abilities
Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Some of the courses that prepare students for this career
The 10,000 hours of practice