1525- Dispatchers

Canada NOC: 
1525
Job Title: 

Dispatchers

Job Description: 

Dispatchers operate radios and other telecommunication equipment to dispatch emergency vehicles and to co-ordinate the activities of drivers and other personnel. They are employed by police, fire and health departments, other emergency service agencies, taxi, delivery and courier services, trucking and utilities companies, and other commercial and industrial establishments.

Main Duties: 

Dispatchers perform some or all of the following duties:


Receive requests for emergency assistance or service and contact ambulances, police and fire departments, tow-trucks, and utility crews
Process and transmit information and instructions to co-ordinate the activities of vehicle operators, crews and equipment using a variety of computer-aided communications and dispatching equipment
Dispatch personnel according to written schedules and work orders, or as required by emergency situations
Advise vehicle operators of route and traffic problems such as construction, accidents, congestion, weather conditions, weight and size restrictions and other information
Operate radio equipment to communicate with ships, aircraft, mining crews, offshore oil rigs, logging camps and other remote operations
Monitor personnel workloads and locations
Maintain vehicle operator work records using computerized or manual methods and ensure time sheets and payroll summaries are completed accurately
Maintain computer and manual records of mileage, fuel use, repairs and other expenses, and generate reports.

Employment Requirements: 

Completion of secondary school is required.
Police and emergency dispatchers are required to complete formal on-the-job training. Other dispatchers usually undergo some informal on-the-job training.
Police and emergency dispatchers and other radio operators usually require provincial radio operator's certificates.

Classified Elsewhere: 

Air traffic controllers and related occupations (2272)
Bus dispatchers (in 7305 Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators)
Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators (2275)
Supervisors of dispatchers (in 1215 Supervisors, supply chain, tracking and scheduling co-ordination occupations)

Similar O*NET Careers (USA) : 
International Careers(ISCO): 
Source Of Info: 

National Occupation Classification, (2011)

Statistics Canada and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada,

February 2012,

Catalogue no. 12-583-X