Job description
PURPOSE
Assigns motor vehicles and drivers for conveyance of building materials by performing the following duties.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Compiles list of available vehicles.
- Assigns vehicles according to factors such as length and purpose of trip, freight or passenger requirements, and preference of user.
- Assigns orders to lift operators to be pulled from inventory.
- Issues keys, record sheets, and credentials to drivers.
- Records time of departure, destination, cargo, and expected time of return.
- Investigates overdue vehicles.
- Directs activities of drivers by two-way radio.
- Confers with customers to expedite or locate missing, misrouted, delayed, or damaged merchandise.
- Maintains record of mileage, fuel used, repairs made, and other expenses.
- Establishes service or delivery routes.
- Assigns helpers to drivers.
- Other duties as assigned
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
High school diploma or general education degree (GED); and six months to one year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
COMPETENCIES
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write basic business correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from employees, customers, and members of management.
- Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
- Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit.
- The employee is occasionally required to stand.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles and outside weather conditions.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What skills or qualities help someone succeed as a Dispatcher?
A: To succeed as a Dispatcher, key technical skills include proficiency in communication systems, such as radio or phone equipment, as well as familiarity with mapping software and GPS technology to efficiently route emergency responders. Soft skills like strong decision-making, problem-solving, and time management abilities are also crucial, as Dispatchers must prioritize and manage multiple emergency situations simultaneously while maintaining composure under pressure. These technical and soft skills enable Dispatchers to effectively coordinate responses, ensure public safety, and support the success of emergency response teams.
Q: What is the career path for a Dispatcher?
A: A Dispatcher's typical career progression involves starting as a Call Taker or Dispatcher Assistant, where they receive on-the-job training and gain experience handling emergency calls and coordinating responses. As they advance to mid-level roles such as Senior Dispatcher or Operations Coordinator, they develop expertise in crisis management, communication, and team leadership, often overseeing multiple teams and prioritizing emergency responses. Senior Dispatchers or Operations Managers can then move into senior roles like Emergency Management Director or Public Safety Manager, overseeing large-scale emergency responses and developing strategic plans for emergency services.
