Emergency Telecommunications Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $52,850.00 Annually
Location : Nashville, TN
Job Type: Full-Time Civil Service
Job Number: C205 FY24
Division: Department of Emergency Communications
Opening Date: 07/10/2026
Closing Date: 8/9/2026 11:59 PM Central
Position Description
At the Department of Emergency Communications (DEC), which serves Nashville and Davidson County, every shift offers an opportunity to make a difference, even a chance to save a life. The mission of the DEC is to serve as the vital link between citizens and the emergency responders of Nashville and Davidson County by providing emergency and non-emergency services in a prompt, courteous, and efficient manner. The DEC's dedicated employees are typically the initial emergency contact in Metro Nashville, providing life-saving assistance over the phone while dispatching EMS, Fire or Police first responders to an emergency. The DEC provides this public service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year.
This position also requires a high level of responsibility, flexibility, attention to detail, ability to work under pressure, and maintain privacy and confidentiality. We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits for you and your family, and opportunity for advancement.
Salary
$58,135.00 annual salary after 6 (six) months (Emergency Telecommunications Officer 2)
$63,949.00 annual salary after a 1 (one) year as an Emergency Telecommunications Officer 2 to (Emergency Telecommunications Officer 3)
Benefits
10 vacation days per year (increasing after 5 years of service)
3 personal days per year
1 sick day per month
12 paid holidays per year
Medical
Dental
Life Insurance
Service Pension
Medical Disability
Attention: This is a continuous recruitment to develop an applicant pool for future openings. We are currently accepting applications, recruiting for an Emergency Telecommunications Officer 1 (911 Dispatcher) Training class.
Typical Duties
Acquires skills, training and certifications necessary to receive and process emergency calls as well as routine non-emergency calls.
(After Training)

• Operates automatic call distribution telephone workstation to receive emergency (9-1-1) and non-emergency calls.
• Determines type, location and extent of emergency.
• Types information from caller into computer terminal.
• Codes messages where appropriate.
• Relays information electronically to dispatcher, appropriate personnel or other agencies.
• Assists callers with basic life support procedures.
• Reads maps and gives directions to location of the incident.
• Performs assigned tests of communications equipment.
• Attends training sessions as required.
• Employees wear a headset and sit/stand for long periods of time.

Minimum Qualifications
YOU MUST MEET ALL THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS TO BE CONSIDERED.
1. Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
2. Must have a high school diploma or equivalency.
3. No convictions or guilty pleas or have entered a plea of nolo contendere to any felony charge,
or to any violation of any federal or state laws or city ordinances relating to force, violence, theft, dishonesty, gambling, liquor or controlled substances. (Tenn. Code Ann. 7-86-205)
4. Not have been released or discharged under other than an honorable or medical discharge from any of the armed forces of the United States.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be US citizens at the time of hiring.
Candidates with accreditations earned in a foreign institute are encouraged to apply.
*The following certifications must be obtained through training while performing as an Emergency Telecommunications Officer 1:

• Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Basic Telecommunicator Certification
• Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification
• Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD) Certification
• Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD) Certification
• National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Query Certification

Preferred Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the Geography of Nashville

NOTE ON TARGETED CLASSIFICATION: Employees in this classification shall be automatically upgraded to the Emergency Telecommunications Officer 2 classification in 6 months provided all of the criteria of Policy 5.6 B- I Upgrades for Targeted Classifications are met.
NOTE: Emergency Telecommunications Officer 1's are provisional (Non-Civil Service) employees. After successful completion of training with at least a standard evaluation, incumbents will begin their six month probationary period.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS: PLEASE READ THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS BEFORE PROCEEDING

• Step 1: The 911 Dispatcher position is a continuous posting, and the process begins when you apply online.

• Step 2: If you meet the minimum qualifications, your application will be sent to the hiring manager for review.
• Step 3: You may be contacted to interview for the 911 Dispatcher position.
• Step 4: If selected to interview for the position, you will be required to provide clear copies of the following documents upon request of the hiring department: 1. Birth Certificate 2. Social Security Card 3. Driver License or other Government issued ID (passport not accepted) 4. Proof of Education (High School Diploma or GED).
• Step 5: Your name will be placed on the eligibility register for 1 year. As vacancies occur you may be contacted to attend the 911 Dispatcher Training Academy.
• Step 6: If selected, you will be required to successfully complete a background check, drug/alcohol test, psychological evaluation, and physical examination. You will also be required to take a CritiCall Test.

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to keep your personal data (name, e-mail address, phone #, etc.) current by updating your online information.
Note: Per Metro Ordinance No. SO94-1078. All employees of the Metropolitan Government shall be residents of the State of Tennessee or become residents of the state within six (6) months of employment as a prerequisite to employment with the Metropolitan Government.
**Metro does not prohibit reapplication**
We are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.
Metro Nashville Government respects the religious beliefs and practices of all employees and will make, on request, an accommodation for such observances when a reasonable accommodation is available that does not create an undue hardship on business operations.
Requests for ADA or other protected accommodations for the recruitment process should be directed to Human Resources at 615-862-6640.
Full-time, Civil Service positions -
10 Vacation Days per year (increasing after 5 years of service)
1 Sick Day per month
12 Paid Holidays per year
Public Safety - Sworn and Civilian positions -
20 vacation days per year
3 Personal days per year
1 Sick Day per month
12 paid holidays per year
Part-time, Non Civil Service positions - Visit HR and Benefits webpages for more information.
Full-time, Non Civil Service positions - contact hiring department for benefits information
Seasonal/Temporary positions - no benefits offered.
01
Do you have a High School Diploma or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

02
Are you a United States citizen?

• Yes
• No

03
Are you at least 18 years of age?

• Yes
• No

04
Per TCA Code Sec. 7-86-205, Section 4: Public Safety Dispatchers shall NOT:• have been convicted or pleaded guilty to or entered a plea of nolo contendere to any felony charge; Or• any violation of any federal or state laws or city ordinances relating to force, violence, theft, dishonesty, gambling, liquor, or controlled substance. Do you have any violations related to the above-stated code that would keep you from continuing in the application process?

• Yes
• No

05
Do you have a felony conviction?

• Yes
• No

06
Have you taken the Criticall test with the Department of Emergency Communications of Davidson County in the last 6 months?

• Yes
• No

07
Do you understand that you will be required to work weekends and holidays?

• I understand
• I cannot work weekends and holidays

08
DEC is a 24/7 operation. Do you understand that you will be required to work an irregular shift schedule during your training period, where one month may be days, with Wednesday and Thursday off, and another month may be midnights with Monday and Tuesday off?

• I understand
• I cannot work irregular shifts

09
Do you understand that you may be required to accept last-minute changes in your work schedule that might require you to cancel personal plans?

• I understand
• I cannot accept work schedule changes

10
Do you understand that you may be required to work mandatory overtime?

• I understand
• I cannot work overtime

11
Do you understand that you will be required to rotate to any of three shifts while in training; days (6:30 AM - 3:00 PM), evenings (2:30 PM - 11:00 PM), and midnights (10:30 PM - 7:00 AM)?

• I understand
• I cannot work rotating shifts

Required Question