Airport Emergency Dispatcher (Public Safety Communications Center) - Denver International Airport
About Our Job
Our Emergency Communications Center at DEN is dynamic and located at the 3rd busiest airport in the United States. In 2023 we handled over 220,000 phone calls and 7 million radio transmissions! Our Communications Center is the heartbeat of our operations. You'll be at the forefront of our operations, operating a multi-line phone system helping customers, and solving problems that develop in the ever-changing dynamic environment of the Communications Center. You will be the first point of contact and lifeline between emergency calls and First Responders. Your ability to multitask while problem solving on the fly is crucial to effectively communicate and be “the calm” during emergency situations.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. Target starting hourly range: $31.33 to $39 per hour
- Medical Plans, Dental, Vision Insurance – eligible within 1 month of your start date
- Pension Plan for Life (Employee contributes 8.45%, Employer matches at 17.95%) and 457(b) Retirement Plan
- PTO (over 3 weeks in your first year) and 12 paid holidays
- STD, LTD, HSA, FSA, Life Insurance
- CARE Bank, Family Leave Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program, Employee Volunteer Program
- EcoPass (unlimited free RTD bus/train rides)
- Learning and Development Opportunities; Courses and Career Development Resources; Education Reimbursement Opportunities
- External 2026 new hires are potentially eligible for up to a $2,500 sign on bonus (details will be discussed at interview and/or offer; not applicable to current City and County of Denver employees or those separated for fewer than 6 months)
Location and Schedule
100% on site at the Communications Center at Denver International Airport. Free employee parking is provided. The scheduled workweek may consist of either four 10‑hour shifts or five 8‑hour shifts and will vary. The candidate may be scheduled to work nights, weekends, and holidays. Shift differentials are offered for swing and overnight hours. This role supports mandatory on-call snow overtime. Schedules are subject to change and based on operational needs.
What You'll Do
The AED job responsibilities encompass the following:
Call Taking
- Obtains complete, accurate and appropriate information from calling party
- Communicates effectively with various types of callers (emotionally upset, abusive, nuisance, non-English speaking, TDD, intoxicated, mentally unstable, speech-impaired, children, elderly)
- Summarizes (in written form) incidents, descriptions and other information obtained from callers using clear, concise and appropriate language in an organized, complete and accurate manner
Providing Information
- Determines what information, if any, should be provided to the public, other agencies, and the media
- Explains departmental policies and procedures, and legal processes to the public, other agencies, and the media
- Advises citizens of appropriate actions to take in various emergency and non-emergency calls for service
Dispatching
- Determines appropriate personnel and resources to dispatch to incidents
- Communicates effectively with field units, verbally and in written form (e.g., broadcasting, receiving, and exchanging information)
- Directs and coordinates appropriate field unit response
- Initiates and coordinates allied agency response, when appropriate
- Monitors, coordinates, and accurately updates status information regarding field units and incidents
Using Resources and Equipment
- Uses appropriate automated databases (e.g., vehicle, criminal history, driver license, wants and warrants, stolen property, gun, and various specialized data bases) and reference materials (codes, wanted lists, directories, manuals, etc.) to obtain or accurately update information
- Use NCIC/CCIC to run clearances and provide return information to officers
- Uses telephone system and related equipment, radio broadcasting equipment (Harris radio system), closed circuit television equipment, alarm monitoring system, and/or computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system properly when receiving and dispatching calls for service
What You'll Bring
We value diversity of ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, sexual identity, gender, religion, language, ability, and experience and exemplify this through the makeup of our team at all levels. You'll be right at home here if you cultivate strong relationships and push yourself, your work, the people around you and Denver to the next level.
It takes a unique person to meet the demands of public safety communications. It requires having to do several things at once, sometimes during life-threatening situations. A slow or improper response to a call can results in serious injury or further harm. The position requires maintaining composure, and keeping emotions in check, even in very difficult and emotionally charged situations. We're looking for individuals who enjoy being a part of a team; being able to work well independently and work successfully with others.
We are looking for candidates that can perform effectively under adverse conditions, 'bounce back' from negative situations, perform duties under extreme pressure without delay, conduct themselves ethically and morally, have the ability to listen while at the same time perform various tasks, and operate dispatching equipment. You will work in a 24/7/365 Public Safety Answering Point that operates in a high visibility and accountability environment, interacting with many different people on a daily basis, often at the same time.
In addition, we are looking for candidates with some or all the following experience:
- One or more years of experience in an emergency services environment
- One or more years of experience in a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP)
- Highly proficient with multiple computer programs and using those simultaneously
- An understanding of airport related geography and surrounding jurisdictions
- Willingness to obtain communications Training Officer (CTO) certification (APCO, NENA, or PSAP agency developed)
- Willingness to obtain completion of basic public-safety telecommunication training course (APCO, NENA, or PSAP agency developed)
- Willingness to obtain ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800
- Flexibility to work first, second and third shift
Required Minimum Qualifications
- Education: Graduation from high school or the possession of a GED, HiSET or TASC Certificate
- Experience: Two years of public contact experience dealing with individual problems and applying policies, procedures, and/or legal guidelines; or two years of experience in call taking or dispatching for emergency services
- Equivalency: Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements
- Licensure: Must pass an initial pre-security clearance screening to obtain an OSN (Operator Security Number) from CBI (Colorado Bureau of Investigation) through successful completion of a certification as a condition of employment. Must take and pass an online test every two years to maintain certification. Requires a valid Driver License at the time of application. Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment.
- FBI Background Check: FBI criminal background check is required for all positions at Denver International Airport (DEN). Employees are also required to report any felony convictions and/or moving violations to maintain this clearance and be eligible for continued employment. By position, a pre-employment physical/drug test may be required.
- Colorado Bureau Of Investigation (CBI) Background Check Required: Must pass a CBI background and fingerprint check and obtain and maintain CBI certification as a condition of employment. Must take and pass an online test every two years to maintain certification.
- Shift Work, Snow Duties, and Emergency Incidents: This position does require shift work as DEN is a 24/7/365 operation (includes nights, weekends and holidays). Mandatory extended/additional shifts can be required. Additionally, this position is required to work mandatory snow duties, which vary and can include nights, weekends and holidays.