Have you considered remote dispatching as a work from home career? Here’s why you should.
As more people turn to the work-from-home lifestyle, competition for jobs can be fierce. Luckily, some fields are built with remote workers in mind.
One example is a remote dispatcher job.
Remote dispatchers are needed in a variety of industries, from transportation to education. Demand for remote dispatchers is high, and there are plenty of job opportunities for people of all backgrounds.
Sexy? Maybe not. But this type of position has some surprising benefits.
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about remote dispatcher jobs, including role responsibilities, professional perks, and 15 industries to explore.
What is a Remote Dispatcher Job?
So what exactly is a remote dispatcher, other than the title, and what does the job entail?
Role Responsibilities
A remote dispatcher is essentially a managerial role, coordinating tasks through technology such as telephone, radio, or more specialized software.
In short, remote dispatchers ensure that everything goes according to plan and gets you from point “A” to point “B” in an efficient and timely manner.
Dispatchers coordinate resources, track service providers, and resolve issues along the way to avoid disruptions.
This role is likely to involve some basic forms of data entry such as delivery times, stock levels, etc.
There is also a customer service aspect, with some dispatchers speaking directly to customers to resolve disputes.
Expected Salary
There is plenty of scope for career progression in this role as you gain experience and seniority.
According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary for a remote dispatcher in the U.S. is $48,000. Lead dispatchers can expect to earn an average of $56,000 per year, and senior dispatchers can make more than $82,000 per year.
While the starting salary is modest, the expected growth trajectory is bright, especially given the limited experience required for this role.
Required skills
The good news is that there are plenty of entry-level remote dispatcher positions available, meaning little to no experience is required.
To become a remote dispatcher, you’ll need a high school diploma, and other qualifications will be based on your skills (some of which you can learn through onboarding) and suitability for the role.
The ideal candidate should possess the following qualities:
- Perfect organization
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to thrive in a fast-changing environment
Coordinating countless moving parts can be stressful without a calm mind and a positive attitude.
Most job skills in the industry are acquired through training, so qualified applicants will be comfortable learning a new operating system.
To assist with this process, employees should also have basic technical skills in Microsoft Office and Sheets.
Note – some professions, such as air dispatcher, require more formal training.
Flexible working arrangements
Although this field is often a salaried position, it is surprisingly flexible.
Companies employ both full-time and part-time staff and offer temporary working options such as shift work and holiday work.
So whether you’re looking to work a regular Monday to Friday schedule or want to earn some extra money during your holidays, this role could be perfect for you.
Beyond the hours, this is a remote job, meaning you get to enjoy all the great things about working from home (even while still wearing your sweatpants, if you prefer!).
Benefits of working as a remote dispatcher
Not sure becoming a remote dispatcher is your next big adventure? Before you decide, check out these perks that come with the position.
- Ultra Flexible: As we said before, this role may fit into the model of work you are looking for, so look into part-time and full-time positions to see which one suits you best.
- No prior experience required: You don’t need a higher education degree to take on this role, just a willingness to learn.
- Learning Opportunities: Whether you’re looking to advance your career or simply want to try something new, this role is a great opportunity to learn a new subject, and the best part is that the skills you learn can be transferred to other roles.
- Growth opportunities: These positions offer ample opportunity for growth and competitive salaries at the senior levels.
- Positions in each field: Dispatcher work isn’t just limited to emergency services – there are jobs available in all sectors, including rail, transportation and postal services.
15 Remote Dispatcher Jobs You Can Do From Home
There are several remote dispatcher roles within this category. Here are some industries where remote dispatchers are currently hiring:
1. Emergency Services
Emergency dispatchers work in a highly sensitive environment, responding to 911 calls and directing the appropriate department (police, fire, ambulance) when an emergency occurs.
This role is ideal for someone who can remain calm under pressure and confidently manage a large number of calls.
2. Public transport
There are many dispatcher roles in the transportation sector, and one that is essential to keeping cities moving is the public transport dispatcher.
These people work to coordinate bus, streetcar, train and subway schedules and provide reliable transportation for their communities.
You will also be expected to monitor the service, report delays, and troubleshoot related incidents.
3. Cargo
And in the transportation field, freight dispatchers coordinate the movement of goods and cargo by truck, rail, air freight, and ship.
4. Customer Service
Customer Service Dispatchers are responsible for responding to customer requests and providing the necessary support.
Dispatch repair service, field personnel, or other personnel required for physical assistance.
You will be responsible for recording these requests, updating your customers on a regular basis, and mitigating disputes where necessary.
5. Field Service
The role of a field service dispatcher is similar to that of a customer service dispatcher, but they have far less face-to-face contact with customers.
Instead, your primary focus will be coordinating field technicians and monitoring project status in the field, and your primary communication will be with these technicians.
6. Package delivery
Package delivery associates are responsible for coordinating the delivery of packages from distribution centers and for coordinating their onward delivery.
Plan routes, provide tracking updates, and coordinate drivers for a smooth operation.
7. Waste Management
Waste Management Dispatchers schedule and monitor waste collection routes for household, commercial, and industrial waste.
8. Railway
Railway traffic managers plan and manage train schedules in coordination with other traffic managers to prevent collisions and other problems.
They adjust routes as needed based on delays or maintenance, and communicate those changes to both the conductor and the station.
In this role, careful attention to safety protocols is paramount.
9. Tow Truck
These remote dispatchers coordinate tow trucks for emergency services, customers, and roadside assistance companies. In this role, you’ll assign trucks and plan routes to best serve those in need.
This role involves working with both customer service representatives and drivers to ensure smooth operations.
10. Security
If you’ve ever wanted to work in public safety, being a security dispatcher could be the job for you. You’ll dispatch security officers to keep others safe.
This role also includes monitoring and incident reporting.
11. Taxis and ride-sharing apps
Taxi and ride-sharing dispatchers assign drivers to people who request trips over the phone or through online services.
As part of your job, you will notify drivers of potential delays due to weather, traffic, construction, etc.
12. Aviation
Air dispatchers require more formal training than other fields, and that’s a good thing.
In this role, you’ll be responsible for planning and monitoring flight routes to ensure the safety of all involved. You’ll follow strict safety protocols while working closely with pilots and air traffic controllers.
13. Construction
Construction dispatchers are trained to allocate both materials and machinery to construction sites.
Your role will also include assigning laborers, coordinating schedules, and tracking construction progress throughout the project.
14. Educational Services
Education dispatchers get children to and from school and manage special events like field trips.
Communicate with staff and parents to schedule pick-up and drop-off times.
15. Home medical care
Home health dispatchers act as a bridge of communication between clients, families, and medical personnel.
This means arranging times for home visits, managing health care worker schedules, and providing necessary updates to all parties.
Where to Find Remote Dispatcher Jobs
The best places to find remote dispatcher jobs are online job forums such as Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter, FlexJobs, LinkedIn, and Indeed.
These sites provide a list of search options to guide you through your job search and are great for narrowing down your candidates.
Use these to search for new or similar jobs in your area. If you’re not happy with your current selection, you can always set up a job alert. This feature will send you email alerts with similar titles until you find the job you’re looking for.
Additionally, while you’re job hunting, we recommend searching industry-specific sites for local job listings, as you may be able to find positions that aren’t listed on job boards.
Remote Dispatcher Jobs: Conclusion
Remote dispatcher jobs are a great way to improve your work-life balance, giving you the freedom to work from home in a dynamic field.
So, what’s the conclusion? Is remote dispatcher the right career for you? Let us know in the comments section below.
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