Emergency Communications Dispatcher

PAY GRADE: I – 1 (Effective July 5, 2026 ) Entry Level, $21.60 per hour, $44,928.00 annually

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position assists the public in dispatching Police, Fire, or Emergency Medical Services; and to provide callers with instructions until the requested service can arrive on scene.

PRIMARY JOB TASKS:

• Operates a countywide communication system.
• Receives calls for service, inquiries and requests assistance from Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services.
• Collects pertinent information from callers and disseminates that information to responding units or agencies.
• Determines the priority level of requests for services and mitigates those calls that can be handled without department resources to a response; dispatches personnel and equipment by radio to accidents, crimes, disturbances, etc.
• Maintains status and awareness of police, fire or other City personnel and activities and monitors alarms; provides information to personnel as needed.
• Enters, maintains and validates computer entries, inquiries and teletypes through the National Criminal Information Center (NCIC), and monitors NCIC for teletypes from other agencies.
• Inputs warrants, orders of protection and trespassing orders in the Records Management System.
• Requests driver history reports and driver license photos through the Tennessee Criminal Information Center (TCIC) for arrests or investigative purposes; enters orders of protection in the NCIC.
• Processes all paperwork, data entry and alert notifications for all missing persons, stolen vehicles, arrested individuals, etc.
• Answers non-emergency telephone calls and requests for information from the public on laws, ordinances and various locations in the County.
• Takes after-hours calls for the Electric Department and Public Works and calls out the appropriate on-call personnel.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge of City, State, and Federal laws, rules and regulations regarding emergency communications and criminal justice information systems.
• Knowledge of equipment utilized in police communications including radio console and telephone and computer-aided dispatch equipment.
• Knowledge of personal computers, hardware and software.
• Knowledge of police patrol and fire response procedures.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn City geography.
• Skill in quickly and accurately obtaining pertinent information.
• Skill in operating a base radio station and utilizing radio codes and phonetic alphabet.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits with minimal direction and supervision.
• Ability to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Ability to maintain accurate and legible notes.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and perform word processing and/or data entry.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, LICENSING, AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma/equivalent.
• Must obtain NCIC Certification within six (6) months of hire.
• Must obtain APCO Telecommunicator Certification within six (6) months of hire.
• Must pass department background and criminal history checks.

This position involves rotating shift work. Applicants will go through various selection steps, including appearing before an oral interview board, a background and criminal history check, psychological evaluation, and a medical examination and drug screening.

This position recruitment closes at 12:00 noon, Friday, June 26, 2026.