A maintenance scheduler is a person who, depending on the business or company for which they work, coordinates and dispatches work crews or service vehicles for a variety of purposes. The maintenance scheduler must be well-organized, efficient, and communicative, as well as a team player. The scheduler will be responsible for using communication devices such as radios and telephones, as well as common computer programs such as word processing and spreadsheet programs. A high school diploma will almost always be required to work as a scheduler.
To become a maintenance scheduler, a candidate may need to obtain an associate’s degree or a professional certificate. A bachelor’s degree may be required in rare circumstances, but it is not required for most jobs. Any company that dispatches work crews or service vehicles on a regular basis, such as fire departments, police departments, repair companies, installation companies, or even delivery companies, can use the maintenance scheduler. The maintenance scheduler will need to know where all work crews and vehicles are at all times, and he or she will design and implement a daily schedule for them.
The maintenance scheduler may also interact with work crews and drivers on a regular basis to provide information on the best routes to specific locations, traffic or weather conditions, and changes in the day’s schedule. Before the crews leave for a specific job, the scheduler may consult with them to determine what equipment they will need for the job. The scheduler is responsible for all paperwork associated with the dispatch of work crews and equipment, and if the work crews are required to fill out any paperwork, the scheduler must ensure that those documents are collected in a timely manner.
Customers will almost certainly need to interact with the maintenance scheduler. Because the scheduler will need to make adjustments to work orders as dictated by customers, deal with customer complaints appropriately, and essentially ensure customer satisfaction at all times, a background in customer service is often preferred by companies hiring such positions. Other planner responsibilities may vary depending on the industry; some may need to be familiar with local laws and regulations, while others may need to be familiar with fire and police codes for dispatch purposes.