Emergency Communications Specialist/Dispatcher
Salary: $27.15 – $39.37 Hourly
Closing Date: 4/6/2025
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Answers and relays teletype messages, radio messages, mobile data messages, intercom messages and interoffice messages.
- Monitors multiple radio frequencies and operates equipment within standard and non-standard emergency and non-emergency situations and conditions.
- Monitors City and other security alarm systems and, when an emergency occurs, notifies and dispatches the appropriate City assistance.
- 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.
- Records and maintains department activity records.
- Performs related duties as directed when such duties are a logical and appropriate assignment to the position.
- Regular and timely attendance are required for this position.
- 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.