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Dispatcher- Police, Information & Technology Management Bureau, Communications Division

Howard County:
Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.

Howard County Government:
Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, sustainability, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2025, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 83 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the highest number of annual NACo awards achieved in the history of the State of Maryland, and the highest number of awards out of any county in the State of Maryland which received a collective 136 awards. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking.

What are we looking for?
We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.

What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:

We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.
We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!
We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs.
As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.

POSITION SUMMARY:
Operates communications equipment to receive incoming calls, text messages and pictures/videos for assistance, dispatches personnel and equipment to the scene of emergencies and operates Police Teletype.

STARTING SALARY IS $26.53 HOURLY/$55,183 ANNUALLY

CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs technical level through intermediate technical level dispatching operations work under general supervision from a technical superior. The one-year probationary period consists of learning and becoming proficient at the below listed functions while assigned a training officer and ends upon consistently displayed competency and supervisory sign-off. At the intermediate technical level, work includes receiving, routing and transmitting information on both an emergency and non-emergency basis via telephone, radio, teletype, computer terminal and other communications equipment and dispatching emergency equipment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Works and cooperates with co-workers and supervisors at all levels.

Learns and performs all essential job functions accurately.

Emergency Dispatchers follow established Agency guidelines, policies and procedures in carrying out all duties and responsibilities. These include the ability to operate a variety of equipment, including telephones, radios, teletype, TTD's, computer equipment, office machines and other communications equipment. Other duties may also be assigned.

CALL-TAKING:
Emergency Dispatchers:
Operate telephone consoles to receive incoming calls and text messages for assistance.
Speak clearly and distinctly.
Obtain required information from callers who may be under stress.
React quickly and calmly when processing routine and emergency calls.
Deal courteously, cooperatively and effectively with all callers.
Provide pre-arrival instructions to callers.
Answer calls promptly.
Process calls accurately and timely.
Operate call-taking sessions in the CAD system.
Operate effectively in a manual mode.
Monitor alarm system signals that indicate location of fire or other emergency.
Type commands on computer keyboard to update files and maintain logs.
Tests communications and alarm equipment and backup systems to ensure serviceability.
Recognize and process all Deaf TTD calls with speed and accuracy following all established guidelines.
Follow all established Agency guidelines, policies and procedures associated with call-taking.

METERS/NCIC:
Emergency Dispatchers:
Enter all required METERS/NCIC information into the computer and on paper with speed and accuracy.
Follow all rules and regulations associated with the METERS/NCIC system.
Properly operate FAX machine to obtain information and forward responses to properly process requests.
Follow all established Agency guidelines, policies and procedures associated with METERS/NCIC data entry.

DISPATCH:
Emergency Dispatchers:
Properly operate appropriate dispatch sessions in the CAD system.
Handle multiple tasks associated with dispatching.
Organize thoughts and speak clearly and distinctly.
Operate radio equipment for dispatch purposes and to relay instructions or information to field units.
React quickly and calmly to both routine and emergency situations.
Recognize and prioritize calls to be dispatched.
Scans status charts and computer screen to determine available units.
Update and maintain accurate unit status
Deal courteously, cooperatively and effectively with field personnel.
Maintain familiarity with Howard County geography, including all major thoroughfares, buildings and communities.
Operate effectively in a manual mode.
Maintain familiarity with the general policies and procedures of the other Howard County agencies that are served by the Bureau of Communications.
Types commands on computer keyboard to update files and maintain logs.
Follow all established Agency guidelines, policies and procedures associated with dispatching.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma or GED. Must pass a criminal background investigation, psychological and physical exam. Must pass test specified by the Appointing Authority.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Experience or training in a consolidated 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Center. Certification in Protocols for processing Police, Fire and EMS.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. Shift work (rotating day/night) is required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedures manuals.

Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.

Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS

Must pass and/or qualify for and/or maintain the following training courses, certificates, licenses and registrations: Howard County Basic Telecommunicator Course, MILES/CJIS, Call-taking Protocols (Medical, Fire, Police), Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Awareness, and State of Maryland Emergency Telecommunications Specialist.

Possession of a valid driver’s license.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

TO APPLY: You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted.

Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks.

At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http://www.naces.org) or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation (https://www.wes.org/).

Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

Howard County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at HiringPreference@howardcountymd.gov. Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.

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