Scheduler

Education and Training: High school diploma
Average Salary: $56,000-60,000 per year
Job Outlook: Good

A scheduler is a person who works with projects and maintaining project schedules. This job is often necessary in industries like construction, where creating and maintaining a tight schedule is important. However, a scheduler may be necessary for any number of project based industries that work to meet a deadline for certain projects.

The actual job description for a scheduler can vary by company and industry, but in general, a scheduler is responsible for creating a master schedule for each project. They work with management, operations, and the financial department to create and maintain a schedule, or to change the schedule as the project progresses. A scheduler may also work with individual team members with smaller schedules to ensure that every aspect of a job is completed at the proper time. Schedulers are also responsible for finding solutions to scheduling problems, and they may often work with suppliers to ensure that goods and services coming from outside the company are delivered on time.

In some industries, schedulers work with technical problems, as well, but this will depend on the industry and on their experience with the actual industry. Schedulers often work closely with project managers to create, implement, and maintain schedules for certain projects, although schedulers may actually work with multiple projects at once, whereas project managers are likely to work with one project at a time.

Education and Training Requirements

Schedulers are normally required to have at least a high school diploma and some administrative experience, but most employers prefer that their schedulers have a college degree in business, administration, or related fields. Those with training in specific scheduling programs may have a better chance of finding jobs in this industry.

In some industries, schedulers are promoted out of other production and project management jobs, so some on the job training is already present. If employers prefer to use a specific scheduling program, they may train schedulers in this program before they start working.

Getting the Job

A scheduler is often hired from within other project management or administrative positions, though this is not always the case and will depend on the company and industry. Some scheduling jobs become available to outside applicants, who should apply for these jobs in person if possible.

Job Prospects, Employment Outlook and Career Development

Due to all the communication required, scheduling is a difficult job to outsource, so companies with large projects at hand will have some jobs available for schedulers in the future. This job is expected to grow at about an average rate, though positions may be competitive among those who are interested.

A scheduler or master scheduler may go on to higher administrative positions and project management positions within a company, or may move into other fields, including human resources, sales management, or even marketing. Because a schedule has to have great communication and organizational skills, he or she learns new skills that are suitable for many different types of business.

Working Conditions and Environment

The working conditions and environment of a scheduler will vary dramatically depending on industry. For instance, in construction, a scheduler may be on site to ensure that everything is going according to schedule. In office or online based businesses, however, a scheduler is more likely to work in an office environment and to do much communication over the phone. This is not a particularly stressful job unless several things go wrong within one project, when it can get a little stressful or hectic.

Salary and Benefits

The salary for these jobs can depend greatly on industry and experience. For instance, some schedulers can make around $56,000 per year, but they may make over $100,000 per year, as well. The average salary is around $56,000 to $60,000 per year.

This full-time job will typically come with some health and retirement benefits, and may also come with the potential for bonuses. Schedulers are typically allowed paid vacation time, though their employer may place restrictions on when vacation time can be taken, depending largely on when the company’s busiest season happens to be.

Where to Go for More Information

American Management Association
(877) 566-9441
http://www.amanet.org

International Project Management Association
PO Box 1167
3860 BD Nijkerk
The Netherlands
+31 (33) 247-3430
http://www.ipma.ch

Project Management Institute
14 Campus Blvd.
Newton Square, PA 19073
(610) 356-4600
http://www.pmi.org