Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
| Description |
OES Code: 58005 |
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 use of radio or telephone to transmit assignments and compiling statistics and reports on work progress.
Wages, California
| Entry-Level Hourly Wage |
$9.30 |
| 25th Percentile |
$10.58 |
| 50th Percentile |
$14.32 |
| 75th Percentile |
$18.62 |
Wages, San Joaquin County
| Entry-Level Hourly Wage |
$11.32 |
| 25th Percentile |
$12.72 |
| 50th Percentile |
$16.44 |
| 75th Percentile |
$20.77 |
Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey
Hours & Benefits
Because most taxicab, train and trucking companies operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, dispatchers rotate night and weekend shifts.
Employment Trends, California
| Employment 1998 |
18,500 |
| Projected Employment 2008 |
22,800 |
| Percent Change 1998-2008 |
23.2% |
| Separations 1998-2008 |
3,400 |
Employment Trends, San Joaquin County
| Employment 1999 |
340 |
| Projected Employment 2006 |
390 |
| Percent Change 1999-2006 |
14.7% |
| Separations 1999-2006 |
40 |
Employment Trends by California County
Working Conditions
Most dispatchers work in pleasant, well-lighted surroundings. Because dispatchers spend much time seated at keyboards and video monitors, employers often provide workstations designed to decrease glare and other physical discomforts. Such improvements reduce the incidence of eyestrain, back discomfort, and injury due to repetitive motion.
Getting the Job & Other Information
Dispatchers seeking employment in industries not related to public safety can find employment opportunities in the transportation industry, as truck dispatchers, who work for local and long distance trucking companies, coordinate the movement of trucks and freight between cities, or as bus dispatchers, who make sure local and long distance buses stay on schedule, train dispatchers, taxicab dispatchers, tow truck dispatchers. Or they may find employment as gas and water service dispatchers, who monitor gas lines and water mains and send out service trucks and crews to take care of emergencies.
For general information on dispatchers, contact:
--Service Employees International Union, AFL-CIO, CLC, 1313 L St. NW., Washington, DC 20005-4100. Internet: http://www.seiu.org
--American Train Dispatchers Association, 1370 Ontario St., Cleveland, OH 44113.
For a list of current job listing, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank. |
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Skills & Other Requirements
The following skills and abilities are important for dispatchers employed in fields other than public safety: Adjust Driving Time To Workload Level, Apply Geographic Knowledge, Apply Local/Regional Geographical Knowledge to Transportation, Apply Sales/Marketing Techniques To Transportation Services, Communicate Using Telephone/Radio, Compile Statistics Related To Surface, Transportation, Explain Traffic And Transportation Situations Concisely, Follow Established Traffic & Transportation Procedures, Guide/Control Vehicle/Human Traffic, Keep Records & Maintain Files, Operate Mobile 2-Way Radio, Operate Two-Way Radio, Provide Customer Service In Surface, Transportation, Read Maps, Route Freight Shipments, Schedule/Dispatch Workers (Not Police, Fire, Ambulance), Also Trucks, Delivery, Supervise Highway Transportation Activities, Use Computer, Adhere To Safety Procedures, Apply Intermediate Business Math (Bookkeeping, & Budgeting), Apply State/Federal Regulations To Surface, Transportation, Expedite Freight Movement, Follow Written & Verbal Geographic Directions, Obey Traffic Laws, Prepare Reports, Receive Payments & Make Change, Speak Clearly Into 2-Way Radio, Use Computer Keyboard
References
US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Related Occupations: Telephone Operators, Customer Service Representatives, Transportation Agents
Training: California Training and Education Providers (CTEP) |
