About the job
Dispatchers operate radios and other telecommunication equipment to dispatch emergency vehicles and to coordinate 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.
- 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 coordinate 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.
- 911 dispatcher
- alarm system dispatcher
- emergency medical dispatcher
- mail service dispatcher
- maintenance services dispatcher
- motor vehicle dispatcher
- police department dispatcher
- radio operator
- utilities maintenance crew dispatcher
- yard clerk
To work in these fields, you must be organized and attentive to detail. Your work must be accurate. Good communication skills are important. You need to be able to work as part of a team. Computer skills and the ability to work with technology may be helpful. Emergency dispatchers must be able to work in a high-stress environment.
- 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.
None
Labour Market Information
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a moderate sized occupation in Nova Scotia so some job opportunities may occur through turnover. The number employed in this occupation is expected to grow slightly over the next few years, which should provide some additional opportunities for employment. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Dispatchers most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs may either be permanent or temporary positions, as both are common.
The median employment income for 69% of Dispatchers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $45,474. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
| Occupation | Estimated employment in 2018 | Estimated change in employment between 2017 and 2019 | Estimated openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019 | Estimated rate of unemployment in 2018 | Estimated hourly earnings in 2015 (learn more) | Estimated annual earnings in 2015 |
| Dispatchers | 790 | Weak growth | 65 | Moderate | Minimum: $15.00 Median: $20.83 Maximum: $31.87 | Minimum: $12,675 Median: $40,464 Maximum: $76,108 |
| Occupations in Business, Finance, and Administration | 63,775 | Moderate growth | 6,600 | Low | Minimum: $13.00 Median: $21.03 Maximum: $35.90 | Minimum: $6,754 Median: $36,515 Maximum: $70,271 |
| Dispatchers | Compared to: Occupations in Business, Finance, and Administration | |
| Percent employed full-time | 92% | 81% |
| Percent self-employed | 10% | 7% |
| Area of Employment | Dispatchers | Compared to: All NS Occupations | ||
| % Employed | Median Annual Income | % Employed | Median Annual Income | |
| Southern | 9% | x | 12% | $30,581 |
| Northern | 17% | $41,937 | 16% | $33,660 |
| Cape Breton | 9% | $31,296 | 13% | $32,974 |
| Halifax | 53% | $42,356 | 47% | $41,209 |
| Annapolis Valley | 12% | $51,930 | 13% | $32,958 |
| Age | Dispatchers | Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration |
| % Employed | % Employed | |
| 15-24 | 5% | x |
| 25-34 | 18% | 6% |
| 35-44 | 31% | 19% |
| 45-54 | 24% | 36% |
| 55-64 | 19% | 28% |
| 65+ | 4% | 11% |
| Median Age | 44 | 48 |
| Gender | Dispatchers | Compared to: Occupations in Business, Finance, and Administration |
| % Employed | % Employed | |
| Female | 57% | 73% |
| Male | 43% | 27% |
| Education | Dispatchers | Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration | ||
| % Employed | Median Annual Income | % Employed | Median Annual Income | |
| Less than high school | 8.8% | $30,002 | 4.7% | $23,775 |
| High school | 32.7% | $30,505 | 23.7% | $30,074 |
| Trades certificate | 5.3% | x | 5.8% | $32,871 |
| College certificate or diploma | 31.0% | $33,179 | 34.4% | $33,837 |
| University certificate or diploma | 1.8% | x | 3.0% | $35,053 |
| Bachelor's degree | 17.0% | $25,825 | 22.9% | $39,473 |
| University advanced certificate or diploma | 1.8% | x | 1.7% | $40,672 |
| Master's degree | x | x | 3.6% | $23,407 |
| Doctorate | 1.2% | x | 0.2% | $48,614 |
| Medicine, dentistry, veterinary, optometry | x | x | 0.1% | $41,688 |
| Total | 100% | 100% | ||
Hourly earnings data are from the Labour Force Survey by Statistics Canada. Data are not available for all occupations. Hourly earnings are calculated based on usual hours worked per week. This is how an annual salary, for instance, gets converted to an hourly rate. The data include full and part-time workers along with new and experienced workers. Self-employed workers are excluded.
Annual employment income data reported in the Work Prospects section, are from the 2011 National Household Survey by Statistics Canada. Much of the data (around 70%) came directly from tax records. The data relates to the year 2010 and includes total wages and salaries and net income from self-employment.
Employment Requirements & Contacts
Training Paths & Education
This instructional program class comprises any program that defines the prescribed requirements, specified by the appropriate jurisdiction, for the completion of and graduation from a secondary school program of academic subject matter offered for adult learners outside of the regular secondary school program. This does not include adult compensatory education programs resulting in completion of a high school equivalency certificate or diploma.
There are no additional resources for this occupation.