Public Safety Telecommunicator I
About the role
Westcom Emergency Communications is seeking full-time qualified individuals to provide emergency dispatch services for the 175,000 residents of the City of West Des Moines, Urbandale, Clive, Norwalk, Waukee, and Windsor Heights. Under the general direction of the Public Safety Telecommunications Shift Supervisor, this role dispatches Police, Fire Department, and EMS to situations in the government entities served by Westcom. The position maintains and coordinates accurate communication between Police, Fire, EMS Departments, other government entities, and the public.
Requirements
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- One (1) year of additional schooling or a minimum of one (1) year of experience dealing with the public and/or heavy customer service contact
- Previous experience in public safety is preferred
- Flexibility to work various days, shifts, and overtime hours, including holidays and weekends
Qualifications
An essential function of the Public Safety Telecommunicator position is the ability to access the Iowa/National Crime Information Center (NCIC). In accordance with the Criminal Justice Information Service (CJIS) Manual, the following criminal history would disqualify a candidate from being hired:
- Pleads or is found guilty of a felony or aggravated misdemeanor, whether or not judgment is entered
The Department of Public Safety makes the determination if access is granted to the NCIC system at their sole discretion. Candidates will not be eligible for hire if it is determined that they would not be granted NCIC certification. Criminal history checks are conducted after the recruitment process is completed and the Civil Service Certified List has been approved by the Civil Service Commission.
Selection process
Applicants who submit a completed application and meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to the Civil Service Examination. The written examination process will be open from September 9 – 23, 2026. Candidates who pass each module of the exam and exceed the typing scores for indicated modules will be invited to a mandatory orientation session and oral boards (interview), tentatively scheduled for September 30 – October 2, 2026 (dates are subject to change).