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911 Operator Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

3B Staffing LLC

Facilities Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

Supports by monitoring, managing, & optimizing the 911 data center's physical infrastructure ... are to be operated and maintained. * Perform facilitate data center audit for facility ...

3B Staffing LLC

Facilities Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

Supports by monitoring, managing, & optimizing the 911 data center's physical infrastructure ... are to be operated and maintained. * Perform facilitate data center audit for facility ...

DC Government Careers

IT Systems Manager

Washington, DC · On-site

$114K - $160K/yr

Develops and maintains standard operating procedures, system documentation and technical training materials for 911 and 311 systems. Follows the District IT policy and regulations for change ...

AHU Technologies, Inc.

MDC Tier II Tech

Washington, DC · On-site

$35 - $40/hr

The Tier II technicians will be required to provide technical support to the Client 911 MDC systems ... Required 2 Years • Experience with operating systems installation and configuration procedures to ...

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911 Operator information

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How much do 911 operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for 911 operator in Washington, DC is $30.57, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.85 and $32.64 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a 911 operator?

911 Operators, also known as emergency dispatchers, are professionals who answer emergency and non-emergency calls from the public. They are responsible for gathering essential information from callers, determining the nature and location of emergencies, and dispatching the appropriate emergency services, such as police, fire, or medical personnel. In addition to dispatching, they may provide life-saving instructions over the phone and must remain calm and composed under pressure. Their work is crucial to ensuring a swift and effective emergency response.

What does a 911 operator do?

A 911 operator works in an emergency dispatch center receiving calls from the general public. Also known as emergency dispatchers, in this job, you answer the phone when someone calls the 911 emergency number. Your job duties include answering phone calls in a 24-hour call center, collecting information from callers regarding the emergency situation, and dispatching the appropriate safety personnel to assist the callers. As a 911 operator, many of the phone calls you receive are serious in nature and can be traumatic, so you must be able to work well under this stress and maintain strong communication skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a 911 operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a 911 Operator, you need strong communication skills, quick decision-making abilities, and a high school diploma or GED, with some agencies requiring specialized training or certification. Familiarity with computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems, multi-line phone systems, and radio equipment is essential. Exceptional emotional resilience, multitasking, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are critical soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure timely, accurate responses to emergencies, which directly impact public safety and successful emergency outcomes.

What are some of the biggest challenges 911 operators face during high-stress calls, and how can they manage them effectively?

911 Operators frequently handle high-pressure situations, such as medical emergencies or crimes in progress, where staying calm is crucial. The biggest challenges include managing emotional callers, quickly gathering accurate information, and prioritizing multiple incidents simultaneously. Effective operators rely on strong communication skills, standardized protocols, and support from their team to ensure efficient and compassionate responses. Many agencies also provide regular training and access to peer support programs to help operators cope with job-related stress.

What is the difference between 911 Operator vs Emergency Dispatcher?

Aspect911 OperatorEmergency Dispatcher
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma, communication skills, sometimes certificationsHigh school diploma, communication skills, often similar certifications
Work EnvironmentEmergency call centers, public safety agenciesEmergency call centers, public safety agencies
Employer & IndustryPolice, fire, EMS departmentsPolice, fire, EMS departments
Job FunctionsAnswer emergency calls, gather info, dispatch servicesAnswer emergency calls, coordinate dispatch, provide info

Both 911 Operators and Emergency Dispatchers work in emergency call centers, answering calls and dispatching services. The roles are often used interchangeably, with slight variations depending on the agency. Generally, they require similar skills and certifications, focusing on quick response and communication. The main difference lies in terminology used by different agencies, but their core responsibilities and work environments are very similar.

How do you get a job as a 911 operator?

To become a 911 operator, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, pass a background check, and complete training provided by the hiring agency. Strong communication skills, the ability to remain calm under pressure, and knowledge of emergency protocols are essential for the role.

How long does it take to become a 911 operator?

Becoming a 911 operator typically requires completing a training program that lasts from a few weeks to several months, depending on the department's requirements. Candidates usually need a high school diploma or equivalent, pass background checks, and may need to obtain certifications such as Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) or Emergency Telecommunicator Certification. Ongoing training is often provided to develop communication skills and familiarity with dispatch systems.
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911 Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various 911 Operator job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 47% Full Time, 50% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,583 per year, or $30.6 per hour.

Tier II IT Support Technician 911/311

AHU Technologies Inc

Washington, DC • On-site

$42 - $47/hr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

Job Description:

Short Description:

Experienced IT professional (6–10 yrs) providing Tier II support for critical 311/911 operations—troubleshooting workstations, apps, networks. Supports Mobile Data Computers to ensure field unit connectivity. Weekend role: 10-hour shifts, 2 days/week.

Complete Description:

Employment Type: Contract W2/1099
The Tier II technician provides direct technical support for the District’s 911 and 311 call floors, per Client’s mission to ensure uninterrupted operation of 91/311-critical applications, hardware, and communication systems. The resource troubleshoots and maintains call floor workstations, CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) and other mission critical 911/311 applications, voice recording systems, and other integrated platforms used by call takers and dispatchers. In addition, the technician supports the MDC division by imaging, configuring, and repairing mobile devices, routers, and tablets deployed in first responder (Fire/Police) vehicles. This role requires monitoring and escalating network and system performance issues, performing software updates and patching, and coordinating with internal IT and vendor partners to resolve incidents quickly, troubleshoot technical issues, and prevent service disruption.
 
Shift time 2 PM - Midnight

CONTRACT JOB DESCRIPTION
 
Responsibilities: 

 
1. Provides Tier II IT support for 911 and 311 call floor operations, including troubleshooting workstations, testing software updates, resolving system glitches, and assisting users.
 
 2.  Supports MDC division operations, including imaging, processing client support requests, configuring, and maintaining toughbooks, routers, and associated vehicle installations.
 
 3.  Provides support and feedback on implementation of IT hardware and application solutions for the call floor and MDC environments.
 
 4.  Performs tests, participates in system acceptance procedures, and performance monitoring methods for call floor applications and MDC systems.
 
 5.  Supports radio communications, dispatch operations, and network system infrastructure, including routine monitoring, alarm escalation, and coordination with OCTO and external stakeholders.
 
 6.  Provides IT support for Mobile VPN and mobile connectivity tools, including diagnostics, troubleshooting, and coverage analysis.
 
 7.  Follows OUC-IT Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Tier II troubleshooting and daily operations.
 
 8.  Supports IT asset management by tracking, updating, and maintaining inventory of call floor and MDC hardware, ensuring accurate records of equipment assignment, deployment, and lifecycle status.
 
 9.  Uses the ServiceNow ticketing system to open, track, update, and close OUC-IT service tickets in accordance with established processes.
 
 10.  Participates in inter-agency coordination to ensure technical requirements for 911, 311, and MDC systems are met.
 
 11.  Assists with security patching, operating system upgrades, firewall coordination, and integration of agency software into call floor and MDC environments.
 
 12.  Assists in the deployment of new hardware and applications, including installation, configuration, testing, and user support.
 
 13.  Performs other duties and responsibilities as required, assigned, or requested. 
 
Minimum Education/Certification Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in IT or related field or equivalent experience
Skill Matrix:

·       6-10 yrs. designing, developing, and testing computer systems and components
·       Bachelor’s degree in IT or related field or equivalent experience
·       Experience with IT lifecycle management, performance monitoring, and QA
·       Experience with IT system security principles and technical documentation.
·       Support in the research, evaluation and integration of new technologies
·       Experience with IT security principles, methods, and tools utilized for IT security & support applications.
·       Experience with operating systems installation and configuration procedures to assist in installing & maintaining the operating system environment.
·       Experience with network standards, and network management tools to perform routine network configuration management functions.
·       Experience with maintaining database operations and assisting in database restoration.
·       Experience monitoring system performance & recovering data from backup in the event of hardware / software failure.
·       Experience with customer support, problem resolution databases, and troubleshooting techniques
·       A+ or Network+ certifications preferred but not required