Call takers are responsible for directing calls to a dispatch center. They answer the phone and screen to determine whether the call is an emergency or not. They then relay the information to the proper channel, which can be an ambulance, fire department, or law enforcement precinct. They also talk to the caller to assess their needs and gather crucial and timely information. Call takers earn an average salary of $34,000 annually or $16 per hour.
Call takers help to save lives and properties by making quick decisions and reacting reasonably. They are in charge of answering all inbound 911 calls and gathering information about the precise location of the event, kind of event or incident, the exact description of individuals, vehicles, locations, etc. They then input all info into CADS and appropriately route the callers to the designated dispatcher for appropriate action.
Call takers typically hold a high school diploma or its equivalent. They are expected to have knowledge of emergency services practices and an understanding of the geography of the region in which they work. Some employers prefer candidates with communication and telephone skills.
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a Call Taker. For example, did you know that they make an average of $21.28 an hour? That's $44,271 a year!
Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 6% and produce 5,500 job opportunities across the U.S.
There are certain skills that many Call Takers have in order to accomplish their responsibilities. By taking a look through resumes, we were able to narrow down the most common skills for a person in this position. We discovered that a lot of resumes listed Ability to multitask, Communication skills and Empathy.
If you're interested in becoming a Call Taker, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We've determined that 26.8% of Call Takers have a bachelor's degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 2.3% of Call Takers have master's degrees. Even though some Call Takers have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.
Choosing the right major is always an important step when researching how to become a Call Taker. When we researched the most common majors for a Call Taker, we found that they most commonly earn High School Diploma degrees or Bachelor's Degree degrees. Other degrees that we often see on Call Taker resumes include Associate Degree degrees or Diploma degrees.
You may find that experience in other jobs will help you become a Call Taker. In fact, many Call Taker jobs require experience in a role such as Cashier. Meanwhile, many Call Takers also have previous career experience in roles such as Customer Service Representative or Sales Associate.