Job Opportunities

[MichMar]

How does one become a Dispatcher? Do you have to take some training courses? Is it shift work, or do you work the same shift all the time? Can someone please give me some info on the hours, perks, downsides, requirements, etc.? Do sheriff/police offices employ secretaries, or do the officers do all their own paperwork, and the dispatcher take care of all the phone stuff?

I've just found out I'm losing my job by months-end (happy holidays to me, huh?). Since I do enjoy listening to the scanner so much, and police work has always interested me, it's one of the things I'm looking at for a possible change, rather than just plain old admin work.

[crayon]

Originally Posted by MichMar

I've just found out I'm losing my job by months-end ..

That is always a tough thing to deal with, sorry to hear it.

When I lived in Missouri, they had a worker re-entry program where the state paid for up to two years of college if you lost your job through no fault of your own. Might be something similar where you live ..

For me, getting laid-off was the start of a lot of good things.

HTH's

[MichMar]

Believe me, I'm considering some stuff other than what I've been doing the past 20 years. I'm looking at things that I would enjoy, not just office work because that's what I've always done. Looking at working in a vet's office, since I love animals. Maybe taking Vet Tech classes. Want to look into Medical Transcription courses at one of the local colleges. Looking at even working at Barnes & Noble or someplace similar, since I love books. Even looking at getting back into ebay. I'm looking at part-time work, since I think we could get by alright even if I didn't work 40 hours/week. That would give me more time to integrate a new dog into the household, if we got one (we've been looking for a 2nd dog).

But I never see anything in the paper for dispatcher positions, or even admin work in a sheriff/police department.

[n4voxgill]

most departments put a new dispatcher through their own training program. As a general rule you may work all the shifts from time to time and days off rotate. Holidays you work and get extra pay. It can be bad on your family life. Check with your local departments and see if there are any openings.

[benrussellpa]

Out my way, the county advertises on their website for dispatchers. Local municipalities who have their own dispatch centers may advertise in the paper, but sometimes just rely on word of mouth.

It may be worth it to call whatever agencies you're looking at to see if they are actively hiring dispatchers or not.

[Firetxmi]

Here are some links for info:

http://www.911dispatch.com/jobs/index.html

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos138.htm

I also did a search on Monster.com for "911 Dispatcher" and got 14 pages of results (for the U.S.)

Good luck! Maybe you have just fallen into something you love!

[johnvassel]

Originally Posted by MichMar

Believe me, I'm considering some stuff other than what I've been doing the past 20 years. I'm looking at things that I would enjoy, not just office work because that's what I've always done. Looking at working in a vet's office, since I love animals. Maybe taking Vet Tech classes. Want to look into Medical Transcription courses at one of the local colleges. Looking at even working at Barnes & Noble or someplace similar, since I love books. Even looking at getting back into ebay. I'm looking at part-time work, since I think we could get by alright even if I didn't work 40 hours/week. That would give me more time to integrate a new dog into the household, if we got one (we've been looking for a 2nd dog).

Eaton county advertises on their county website under HR and employment.
After that, applicants selected go through a computer screening process to see if they're 'up to' catching information in a somewhat chaotic environment. At that point if hired, they're usually put on a day shift to train, and after training stuck in whatever lowly opening they may have. You may spend years waiting for your ideal shift.
If I ever needed to leave the field , I'd consider it, since it would keep me involved with public safety, but I'd have a hard time doing it at the moment since I'm used to being the one in the field, not the one stuck on the phone/radio.

Good Luck!
(Also, private ambulance companies and some security comapnies also hire dispatchers, might try looking around there too!)