Emergency Communications Specialist/Dispatcher

Salary: $27.98 – $40.57 Hourly

Closing Date: 12/7/2025

Position Summary:

Receives citizen and other incoming 9-1-1 emergency or non-emergency calls; analyzes nature of call depending on life and death status as circumstances are described by conversation; provides verbal emergency or non-emergency assistance or information and, depending on situation priority, directs or dispatches call information to appropriate City individuals/departments for immediate or follow-up action.

Essential Functions:

1. Answers calls and, as appropriate, provides verbal instructions, assistance and information; directs for action all 9-1-1 lines, and Police and Fire emergency lines according to standard procedures.

2. Quickly assesses type, nature and status of emergency or non-emergency call and dispatches for priority follow-up to Police, Fire, EMS, Animal Control, and other City departments.

3. Answers and relays teletype messages, radio messages, mobile data messages, intercom messages and interoffice messages.

4. Monitors multiple radio frequencies and operates equipment within standard and non-standard emergency and non-emergency situations and conditions.

5. Monitors City and other security alarm systems and, when an emergency occurs, notifies and dispatches the appropriate City assistance.

6. Operates computer systems to enter City and Criminal Investigation Division (CID) warrants; logs in to Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC), National Crime Information Center (NCIC), and regional and Tarrant County computer systems to monitor and maintain up-to-date records on stolen items, vehicles, checks and wanted individuals, etc.

7. Records and maintains department activity records.

8. Performs related duties as directed when such duties are a logical and appropriate assignment to the position.

9. Regular and timely attendance are required for this position.

10. Interacts professionally and respectfully with the public, coworkers and others in the course of daily work.

Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent. Requires Basic Telecommunicator License and passing of State licensing test issued by Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) within one year of hire.
• Due to Criminal Justice Information Security (CJIS) requirements, the candidate must never have been convicted, put on court-ordered community supervision, or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of Class B misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years from the date of the court order. Class A Misdemeanor Conviction, Deferred Adjudication or Felony Conviction are permanent disqualifiers.
• All applicants must pass department required testing, oral interview board, and drug/physical screening.
• Must pass a Federal/National criminal background investigation and credit check, psychological screening, and polygraph exam.
• Must have a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record as defined by City policy and the ability to obtain a Texas driver’s license in accordance with Texas State law.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical, drug screen, Titmus vision screening, Ishihara vision screening, and audio (whisper test) screening.