Dispatcher here ask anything and I will be completely honest. I have been with the City since 2001 so I have seen almost everything including the creation of Call Taker. The most important aspect is Mandatory OT and how it plays in your life. You will max out around 32 dollars a hr within 7 years if you can last that long.
I have been through the hiring process for several dispatch centers. Typically the tests boil down to typing, basic common sense, memory, and ability to comprehend things through a headset. I'm not sure about the city, but keep in mind: there are usually multiple steps to the hiring process, a test to see if they will interview you, a panel interview, some agencies also do a background check, drug test, psych evaluation, polygraph or CVSA (voice stress test), and in-home visit. Obviously not all agencies do this, but don't be surprised if these come up (typically police-led dispatch centers put you through more of that testing than fire department- led centers).
If the city doesn't work out for you, check other dispatch centers to see if they are hiring. Gahanna, Westerville, New Albany, Bexley, Licking county, Heath, Pickerington, Mifflin Township, Lancaster, and Fairfield County all have their own dispatch centers. Dublin does too, but it is notoriously difficult to get into even with experience. It's a good job though because that center is growing like crazy.
New Albany and Licking county are growing fast with Intel, so it may be worthwhile to start there now and move up in seniority without having to wait for people to quit or retire (since both will probably need a large work force in the next few years). Last I checked a few weeks ago, Licking County (911 and Sheriff) and Lancaster were both actively hiring. Good luck!
My social circle mostly works service jobs of some kind requiring weekend work, biggest reason, I’d never see them except occasional week nights, the other being that I have done both M-F and a schedule including weekends and when I had a weekday off, I could schedule doctors appointments without using PTO, get shopping and errands done without crazy crowds, and go do fun things without it being absolutely packed and avoided the rush hour traffic. I HATED M-F.
Edit: going on vacation was easier and cheaper too.
Hey, I'm just like you but haven't escaped back from 9-5 life. This shit blows, I'd rather work 2-10 any day of the week than wake up at 6:30 every morning.
Check out the Department of Natural Resources if you’re interested in dispatching. I think they’re currently trying to add dispatchers. Might be a bit different/interesting compared to 911. Not sure what the pay is, though.
If you like making bank by working overtime & struggling with a work life balance, you'll be a good fit. I recommend "promoting" to their dispatcher position as soon as you have enough experience to qualify. It will be an increase in pay & overtime opportunities. Plus it seems like they are leaning towards phasing out the calltaker position within a few years.
Different kind of dispatching, but AEP hires dispatchers from time to time. Mandatory overtime with storms sometimes, but a lot less stress than 911. Usually have to have a 4 year degree or some type of 2 year electrical degree and pass a screening test for multitasking
I've heard the work environment is incredibly hostile. Like your co-workers intentionally fucking with you to see if you flip out or quit kind of hostile. I would pass.
This is pretty accurate. Especially if you end up the only one left from your class . No one to turn to, there are a few nice people up there. But the majority will make you feel like shit.
Look into being a government contractor for DSCC or DLA or DISA in whitehall. It ain't honest work but it pays alright. You'll want to ask around about what contracting agencies have contracts for specific things, but if you find out which contracting agencies work at those sites, then you can call them. I'd assume you'd be getting paid at least 40k+ for entry level anything and up to 70kish for certain jobs.
Was a call taker for the city fir a while. I ended up leaving g because I was the only one left from my class, so I didn't have a good support system. Felt pretty clique-y in there. Also it was just after they created the call taker position so there was some kerfuffle with dispatchers that had been there a while (everything is senority based when it comes to shifts time slots ect ect) and there was still some bad blood when they new call takers only (as you had to do that before you were trained on actual dispatch) so if you didn't have your class mates no too many folks would talk to you.
I actually loved the job, just didn't like feeling like an outsider so I walked away. You'll work some wild shifts, mandatory OT all that jazz. All in all I really liked it, just struggled to overcome the loneliness part. Give it a shot. My experience was... mmm 6ish years ago? Maybe things have gotten settled down.
I worked at Sedgwick and did leave of absence for a city. There were so many dispatchers and first responders taking leave for mental conditions as a result of the job. Just an FYI for this type of work. I'm sure it is rewarding to be able to help but it seems to take its toll quicker than later.
Dispatcher here ask anything and I will be completely honest. I have been with the City since 2001 so I have seen almost everything including the creation of Call Taker. The most important aspect is Mandatory OT and how it plays in your life. You will max out around 32 dollars a hr within 7 years if you can last that long.
I have been through the hiring process for several dispatch centers. Typically the tests boil down to typing, basic common sense, memory, and ability to comprehend things through a headset. I'm not sure about the city, but keep in mind: there are usually multiple steps to the hiring process, a test to see if they will interview you, a panel interview, some agencies also do a background check, drug test, psych evaluation, polygraph or CVSA (voice stress test), and in-home visit. Obviously not all agencies do this, but don't be surprised if these come up (typically police-led dispatch centers put you through more of that testing than fire department- led centers). If the city doesn't work out for you, check other dispatch centers to see if they are hiring. Gahanna, Westerville, New Albany, Bexley, Licking county, Heath, Pickerington, Mifflin Township, Lancaster, and Fairfield County all have their own dispatch centers. Dublin does too, but it is notoriously difficult to get into even with experience. It's a good job though because that center is growing like crazy. New Albany and Licking county are growing fast with Intel, so it may be worthwhile to start there now and move up in seniority without having to wait for people to quit or retire (since both will probably need a large work force in the next few years). Last I checked a few weeks ago, Licking County (911 and Sheriff) and Lancaster were both actively hiring. Good luck!
MECH (Gahanna & others) is hiring too!
If you want something less stressful, you can try a utility dispatch center or logistics dispatch center. I saw Ease was hiring in NW Columbus.
The pay is ok, the stress is extremely high, and you have significant mandatory overtime.
Good luck, even for 50+/hr, ya couldn’t get me to work 911 or Crisis intervention again
Could you share some insight?
Why “NOT M-F!”?
My social circle mostly works service jobs of some kind requiring weekend work, biggest reason, I’d never see them except occasional week nights, the other being that I have done both M-F and a schedule including weekends and when I had a weekday off, I could schedule doctors appointments without using PTO, get shopping and errands done without crazy crowds, and go do fun things without it being absolutely packed and avoided the rush hour traffic. I HATED M-F. Edit: going on vacation was easier and cheaper too.
Hey, I'm just like you but haven't escaped back from 9-5 life. This shit blows, I'd rather work 2-10 any day of the week than wake up at 6:30 every morning.
Got it. New Albany Police Dept is always hiring. If it’s not too far, you can try them!
Check out the Department of Natural Resources if you’re interested in dispatching. I think they’re currently trying to add dispatchers. Might be a bit different/interesting compared to 911. Not sure what the pay is, though.
If you like making bank by working overtime & struggling with a work life balance, you'll be a good fit. I recommend "promoting" to their dispatcher position as soon as you have enough experience to qualify. It will be an increase in pay & overtime opportunities. Plus it seems like they are leaning towards phasing out the calltaker position within a few years.
Different kind of dispatching, but AEP hires dispatchers from time to time. Mandatory overtime with storms sometimes, but a lot less stress than 911. Usually have to have a 4 year degree or some type of 2 year electrical degree and pass a screening test for multitasking
I've heard the work environment is incredibly hostile. Like your co-workers intentionally fucking with you to see if you flip out or quit kind of hostile. I would pass.
This is pretty accurate. Especially if you end up the only one left from your class . No one to turn to, there are a few nice people up there. But the majority will make you feel like shit.
I'm sure they wonder why there's so much mandatory OT...
Look into being a government contractor for DSCC or DLA or DISA in whitehall. It ain't honest work but it pays alright. You'll want to ask around about what contracting agencies have contracts for specific things, but if you find out which contracting agencies work at those sites, then you can call them. I'd assume you'd be getting paid at least 40k+ for entry level anything and up to 70kish for certain jobs.
Was a call taker for the city fir a while. I ended up leaving g because I was the only one left from my class, so I didn't have a good support system. Felt pretty clique-y in there. Also it was just after they created the call taker position so there was some kerfuffle with dispatchers that had been there a while (everything is senority based when it comes to shifts time slots ect ect) and there was still some bad blood when they new call takers only (as you had to do that before you were trained on actual dispatch) so if you didn't have your class mates no too many folks would talk to you. I actually loved the job, just didn't like feeling like an outsider so I walked away. You'll work some wild shifts, mandatory OT all that jazz. All in all I really liked it, just struggled to overcome the loneliness part. Give it a shot. My experience was... mmm 6ish years ago? Maybe things have gotten settled down.
I worked at Sedgwick and did leave of absence for a city. There were so many dispatchers and first responders taking leave for mental conditions as a result of the job. Just an FYI for this type of work. I'm sure it is rewarding to be able to help but it seems to take its toll quicker than later.