Public Safety Telecommunicator - Entry Level

About the role

This critical role serves as the vital communications link between the public needing help and emergency services response. As members of the public safety ecosystem, Public Safety Telecommunicators are typically the first point of contact when a person reaches out for help. This entails a candidate to be able to work independently in a high-stress environment while receiving and evaluating incoming emergency and administrative requests for emergency services; triaging those requests for service; providing guidance and assistance to the public in life-safety situations; and coordinating appropriate responses to high-risk, high-stress operations, with the objective of keeping all participants safe.

Responsibilities

• Receives and responds to emergency and non-emergency calls including enhanced 911, and non-emergency calls from the public, dispatchers, and law enforcement agencies via telephone and radio systems and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems.
• Processes and evaluates information received, prioritizes calls and dispatches required units and/or agencies.
• Maintains status and locations of public safety personnel.
• Operates a sophisticated workstation comprised of multiple computer systems, computer-aided dispatch (CAD) software and geographical information systems (GIS), state and federal clearinghouses, call handling including teletypewriter (TTY) and text-to-911 sessions, as well as communications systems such as radio dispatch consoles and recording systems.
• Creates and maintains automated or manual logs of public safety communications activity.
• Accesses and enters sensitive data in local/state/national databases as necessary for investigative purposes.
• Maintains appropriate security and confidentiality of information created or encountered in the performance of assigned duties.
• Keeps informed of departmental regulations, policies and procedures.
• May assist in providing on-the-job training for Public Safety Telecommunicators and submit progress reports and evaluations on trainees.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or GED.
• Must be 18 years or older.
• Successfully complete background investigation.
• Must be able to work on a rotating schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays to ensure 24/7 coverage.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain the following licenses and certifications within six months of hire date: Basic Telecommunicator Course, Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Training, CJIS Terminal Operator Certificate, ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AND WORKING CONDITIONS.

Qualifications

The Town of Oro Valley is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The Town does not discriminate in the provision of employment opportunities, benefits or privileges; create discriminatory work conditions; or use discriminatory evaluative standards in employment if the basis of that discriminatory treatment is, in whole or in part, the person's race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability status, gender, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, genetic information or marital status.

Skills

• Knowledge of applicable Town, state and Federal statutes, rules, ordinances, codes, regulations governing dispatching.
• Knowledge of Town and Department policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of law enforcement records keeping activities and techniques.
• Ability to operate computers and related communication equipment utilizing a variety of software and operating systems/applications.
• Quick decision making and correcting emergency situations.
• Assessing, analyzing, identifying and implementing solutions to complex problems.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

Benefits

The Town of Oro Valley provides high-quality services including: police, planning, zoning, construction, inspection, transit services, traffic engineering, street maintenance, storm water management, flood control, water utility, parks, recreation, aquatics, library, cultural resources, economic development, constituent services, community and media relations, budget development, debt and investment management, attorney services, magistrate court and more. Town of Oro Valley currently has a benefits program that is currently offered to employees of the Town who work 20 or more hours per week on a regular basis. (Part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week may qualify for participation in the individual plans, dependent upon the specific terms of coverage.)

Pay

Commensurate with experience.

Schedule

Rotating shift assignments and overtime in accordance with maintaining a fully operational 24 hour facility.

Environmental Factors and Working Conditions

Work is performed in an indoor environment.

Why Apply

Oro Valley is a planned community cradled in the shadows of the magnificent Santa Catalina Mountains, with hiking trails through Catalina State Park, hiking and bicycle trails throughout the Town, world-class golf courses, horseback riding and a long-valued cultural tradition, vibrant for over a thousand years. Oro Valley has received many accolades through the years and is proud to have been named: Best Places to Live in Arizona, Best Towns for Families and Best Places in America to Live and Launch a Small Business. Oro Valley is located in northern Pima County, just three miles north of Tucson, and a quick drive to the University of Arizona and Tucson International Airport. With average high temperatures of 83.4 degrees, average lows of 53.8 degrees, the town sits at an elevation of 2,640 feet, covers more than 34 square miles and has a current population of 41,011. Oro Valley was incorporated in April, 1974. Oro Valley is also quickly developing a strong reputation as home to the emerging bioscience and biotech industries. We are a young, diverse, dynamic community with a responsive government and our schools are among the finest in Arizona. The Town of Oro Valley has a council/manager form of government. Six council members and the mayor are elected for four-year terms. The town manager is appointed by town council. The Town of Oro Valley provides high-quality services including: police, planning, zoning, construction, inspection, transit services, traffic engineering, street maintenance, storm water management, flood control, water utility, parks, recreation, aquatics, library, cultural resources, economic development, constituent services, community and media relations, budget development, debt and investment management, attorney services, magistrate court and more. Town of Oro Valley currently has a benefits program that is currently offered to employees of the Town who work 20 or more hours per week on a regular basis. (Part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week may qualify for participation in the individual plans, dependent upon the specific terms of coverage.) Please click on the following link to get a full description of all the benefits that the Town of Oro Valley offers. Town of Oro Valley Benefits Guide 2026/2027