About the Career

Dispatchers have an exciting and challenging work environment because no two days or shifts are the same. Transportation Dispatch Specialists have an array of transferable skills that can be used in various disciplines such as aviation, emergency services, trucking dispatch, public utilities, rail, and public safety. Dispatchers schedule and/or dispatch workers, equipment, freight, or service vehicles as needed by the public. A Dispatch Specialist will exercise sound judgment and utilize problem solving skills to effectively recommend actions. Why explore this career path? A graduate of the program will choose from many career opportunities in a variety of specialties within the transportation and public service industries.

Training and Job Requirements

The training for the Transportation Dispatch Specialist is rigorous and fast-paced. Subjects include meteorology, regulations, navigation, communication, emergency procedures, crisis management, air traffic control, computers, transporting dangerous goods, human factors and troubleshooting. Job requirements include good situational awareness, multi-variable problem solving abilities, outstanding communication skills (oral and written), excellent computer knowledge, dedication, and general office management and clerical skills. All types of dispatchers work with telephones, radios, and computers on a routine basis. Many dispatchers work in a secured environment. Teamwork is essential to daily operations in a dispatch center. Dispatchers must be mature and confident enough to make decisions that keep an entire operation running smoothly, and are often required to meet these challenges with little direct supervision.

Career Options

Most graduates will start in support positions like Assistant Dispatcher, Clerk or Scheduler, and/or receive extensive on the job training and mentoring before becoming a qualified Dispatcher. Because dispatchers are the central coordinators for complex field operations, it is vital that they be thoroughly familiar with all aspects of an organization’s personnel, resources, operations and procedures. The dispatcher's daily challenge is to maximize safety and efficiency, and ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. Most operations that employ dispatchers are open 24/7, including holidays. After getting experience in the field, dispatchers may want to continue their education in order to advance into supervisory positions and management.

Benefits and Compensation

Virtually every company involved in transportation/distribution, on-site installation and service, public works, and public safety employs dispatchers. Because of varying schedules and the requirements for flexibility and overtime, dispatchers are offered very competitive benefit packages. According to the U.S. Department of Labor (2006), the annual salary of Service Dispatchers ranges from $19,780 to $53,250. According to Avjobs.com (retrieved 2/08), annual Aircraft Dispatcher salaries range from $26,698 to $89,000.

* Not all programs are offered at all locations