Public Safety Telecommunicator I or II

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Receives emergency and non-emergency calls for service by telephone or radio.
• Prioritizes calls, determines the appropriate response, and dispatches police, fire, medical personnel, or other personnel as needed in a timely and efficient manner using radios, telephones, and other communication tools.
• Provides detailed information to responders and monitors unit status to maintain situational awareness.
• Contacts neighboring law enforcement and emergency service agencies as necessary to request assistance or relay critical incident information.
• Sends and receives teletypes to coordinate warrants, protective orders, and other law enforcement communications.
• Enters incident, call, and case information into the records management system accurately and timely.
• Prepares reports, maintains logs, and ensures compliance with department, state, and federal reporting requirements.
• Performs inquiries, criminal history checks, and manages entries for stolen property, missing or wanted persons, and protective orders.
• Communicates professionally with citizens, including obtaining information from distressed or emotional callers.
• Accepts payments for alarm permits, animal registrations, and prisoner releases, issuing receipts as appropriate.
• Licensing, Compliance, and Training: Completes required training, continuing education, and semi-annual evaluations to maintain TCOLE certification. Follows all policies, procedures, and legal requirements governing public safety communications.
• Emergency Response Support: Provides operational support during major incidents, disasters, or high-priority situations. Coordinates with command staff and responders to ensure effective communication and incident management.
• Other Duties: Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Emergency Communications Operations: Knowledge of emergency communications principles, dispatch procedures, and public safety operations.
• Technology and Records Systems: Knowledge of computers, related hardware, and software. Skill in entering, retrieving, and maintaining accurate and complete data.
• Public Safety Knowledge: Ability to learn police, fire, and EMS operations; and City geography and coordinating response across multiple public safety disciplines.
• Operational Skills and Decision-Making: Ability to prioritize and process multiple calls for service under high-stress conditions. Skill in obtaining critical information from callers and making accurate, timely dispatch decisions.
• Communication and Interpersonal Effectiveness: Exceptional oral and written communication skills. Ability to interact professionally, respectfully, and calmly with citizens, coworkers, and partner agencies.

Typical Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent, and one (1) year dispatch experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must pass a post-offer pre-employment drug screening and Criticall test.
• Requires Basic Telecommunicators Certification through TCOLE within one (1) year of hire. Candidates with current TCOLE Telecommunicators License are preferred. May be required to acquire additional certification.
• Public Safety Telecommunicator I: 0–4 years of experience as a public safety dispatcher, TCOLE Basic or Intermediate Telecommunicator License.
• Public Safety Telecommunicator II: 5+ years of experience as a public safety dispatcher, TCOLE Advanced or Masters Telecommunicator License.