911 Communications Dispatcher

911 COMMUNICATIONS DISPATCHER

This recruitment is open for 2 weeks and will close on May 21, 2026

Pay Grade: 110

Hourly Salary Range: $28.17 to $41.53

The successful candidate’s placement in the salary range will depend upon previous experience in a similar role.

The City of Tempe offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• 13 Paid Holidays and 1 Personal Day
• Vacation Accrual starts at 9.33 hours/month. Higher monthly vacation accrual rates may be available with prior ASRS service.
• Sick Leave Accrual; 8 hours/month
• Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits
• Wellness Program Discount on health premiums
• Medical Reimbursement Program; $61.16/month
• Tuition Reimbursement; $6,500/year
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) Defined benefit plan with mandatory employer and employee contributions currently at 12% which includes a Long-Term Disability benefit
• Supplemental Retirement Plans through Nationwide; 457, 401K, and Employer contribution
• Position is eligible for up to 24 hours of floating holiday leave

To view the employee benefit summary, please visit:

Employee Benefit Summary

Department / Division:
Police / Communications

Job Type:

Full-Time Regular

This position is classified as safety sensitive. Employees in safety sensitive positions are prohibited from all marijuana usage whether medical or recreational

Schedule:

4-10 schedule; shift work is required which includes working nights, weekends, and holidays. Overtime as needed

Job Number:

RC# 902455

DESCRIPTION

This position receives and evaluates incoming calls for police, fire, and other emergency assistance using the Enhanced 911 communications system, supplementing caller details with additional database information. Triages service requests received during crisis situations. Performs data entry and management tasks.

Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Responds to emergency service calls, radio transmissions, voice instructions, and similar communications requesting police, fire, or other emergency services.
• Helps determine the type and number of units to dispatch by evaluating time of day, description and location of calls, beat unit available, and probable degree of hazard to the responding units.
• Transcribes and documents callers’ description and details to provide responding officers situational awareness.
• Utilizes crisis communication strategies to help calm callers experiencing emergencies.
• Tracks and maintains current status of in field units.
• Answers non-emergency calls, providing assistance related to civil, criminal, and traffic laws, policies, and procedures. Directs calls to police staff, other City departments, and agencies as appropriate.
• Enters, updates, and processes calls for service in a computer aided dispatch system efficiently and accurately.
• Documents and manages information from crime and intel databases relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, criminal history, and stolen vehicles to aide in response to emergency situations.
• May perform responsibilities of a similar nature and level as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

Experience:

One (1) year of experience in customer service, call center, clerical or related experience.

Candidates must have the minimum amount of work experience. Years of experience are based upon a full-time work schedule (2,080 hours per year). The sum of an applicant’s full-time and/or part-time qualifying work experience must meet or exceed the stated minimum qualification. Education will not substitute for the required work experience; however, related unpaid and/or volunteer work experience may be used as qualifying work experience.

Education:

High school diploma or GED.

Professional Licensure and/or Certifications:

• Terminal Operator Certification awarded by Arizona Department of Public Safety, obtain within one (1) week of hire.

ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum typing speed of 40 net words per minute (nwpm) is required and will be verified prior to employment or promotion to this classification.
• Must successfully pass Criticall test prior to hire or promotion date.

TESTING PROCESS

• Qualified applicants will receive a link for the typing speed test (5-munute timed test) and a follow up phone call to ensure receipt. Please make sure the email listed on your application is correct.
• Typing speed test must be completed within one (1) week of the link email date.
• Candidates who have passed the typing test will receive another link for an the Criticall test (1 hour); test must be completed within two (2) weeks of test link email date.

RECRUITMENT TIMELINE

• First interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis with candidates who have passed both the typing speed test and the Criticall test.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicants considered for this job classification must pass the following:

• Criminal history review
• Post offer/pre-employment drug and alcohol screen.
• Post offer/pre-employment physical
• Police background investigation
• Police polygraph
• Psychological examination

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

For a complete list of City of Tempe job descriptions go to:

Job Descriptions | City of Tempe, AZ

This position is FLSA Non-Exempt which means employees are eligible for overtime compensation and/or compensatory time

Employees in this position are represented by the United Arizona Employee Association (UAEA)

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The City of Tempe is an Equal Opportunity / Reasonable Accommodation employer. The City does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, familial status, age, disability, and United States military veteran status. Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will make a reasonable accommodation(s) during the recruitment & selection process. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting Human Resources at 480-350-8276. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.