Police and fire departments, as well as hospitals that handle emergency ambulance services, employ communications dispatchers. Dispatch services may be routed through third-party vendors who specialize in call center management in some cases. Looking for opportunities with these organizations is the most efficient way to get a job as a communications dispatcher.
The education and training requirements for becoming a communications dispatcher may differ depending on where you live. Some jobs that require direct contact with police or fire departments may require a civil service exam or CPR certification. These exams and certifications are usually only offered at specific times throughout the year. Although community colleges and third-party education vendors may offer some emergency training, the civil service examination is usually administered by a government agency.
A high school diploma, in addition to specific training and certification, is usually sufficient for those wishing to work as a communications dispatcher. Employees are typically given job-specific training while performing their dispatch duties. New employees may work with mentors or trainers to learn best practices for the job. Knowledge and comfort levels usually increase as they gain experience.
Proficiency in computer use, as well as verbal and written communication, are additional knowledge and skills required of an emergency dispatcher. Taking computer, speech, and writing classes can help candidates stand out from the crowd. It might also help you improve your job performance once you’ve landed a dispatch job.
Anyone interested in working as a communications dispatcher should actively seek out opportunities. Typically, communities and organizations that hire emergency dispatchers will post job openings in newspapers or on job boards on the Internet. Government agencies may post job openings on separate job boards dedicated to government job opportunities, depending on the location.
In addition to applying for open positions, another effective job search strategy is to contact agencies and companies that hire communications dispatchers on a regular basis. Some positions may never be advertised publicly and will be filled from a pool of candidates. While this may not be the case for government agencies, private vendors may accept inquiries and resumes and hold them for callbacks when positions open up.
A minimum passing score is required to become a communications dispatcher with government agencies that require a civil service examination. Candidates’ names are added to a list of eligible applicants once they have received a passing score. When positions become available, government agencies may notify those who are on the waiting list, and then conduct a standard selection process, which may include an interview. Individuals who are interested in these positions may have to wait years for a suitable opening to become available.