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What does a Dispatcher do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A dispatcher is a person who sends out vehicles, such as taxis, buses, or ambulances, to pick up passengers or to respond to emergency calls.

Dispatcher job duties include:

  • Answer incoming calls and route them to the appropriate personnel
  • Keep track of personnel whereabouts and availability
  • Monitor radio traffic and record important information
  • Send out emergency response teams as necessary
  • Notify appropriate personnel of schedule changes or cancellations
  • Keep track of vehicles and equipment
  • Maintain contact lists and other important dispatch information
  • Handle customer inquiries and complaints
  • Perform administrative tasks as needed
  • Train new dispatchers on company procedures

Dispatcher Job Requirements

There are no formal education requirements for a dispatcher, although most have at least a high school diploma. Some dispatchers may have an associate or bachelor's degree in criminal justice or a related field. Certification is not required, but many dispatchers become certified through the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) or the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (IAED). Experience is also not required, but most dispatchers have some experience working in customer service or a related field.

Dispatcher Skills

  • Communication
  • Active listening
  • Organization
  • Prioritization
  • Time management
  • Stress management
  • Conflict resolution
  • Decision making
  • Multi-tasking
  • Patience
  • Empathy

Related: Top Dispatcher Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Dispatcher

There are many reasons why someone might want to become a Dispatcher. Perhaps they have a background in customer service and want to help people in their time of need. Maybe they’re interested in a career in law enforcement or emergency services. Or, they could simply be looking for a stable job with good pay and benefits.

Whatever the reason, there are a few things that anyone interested in becoming a Dispatcher should know. First, it is important to have excellent communication skills. Dispatchers need to be able to clearly and concisely relay information between parties, often under high pressure situations. They also need to be able to effectively listen to and understand others, in order to provide the best possible assistance.

Second, Dispatchers must be able to think quickly and make decisions under pressure. They will often need to gather information from multiple sources and make decisions about how best to proceed, based on the specific situation. This can be difficult and stressful, but also incredibly rewarding when everything comes together and help is provided successfully.

Finally, it is important to have some knowledge of the area in which you will be dispatching for. This includes both an understanding of the geography as well as any relevant laws or procedures. While much of this can be learned on the job, it can be helpful to have at least a basic understanding before starting out.

If you have excellent communication skills, can think quickly under pressure, and have some knowledge of the area you’ll be dispatching for, then you may just have what it takes to become a dispatcher!

Related: Dispatcher Resume Example

Related: Dispatcher Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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