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Public Safety Telecommunicator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Public Safety Telecommunicator

Andover, MN ยท On-site

$31.43 - $45.02/hr

The department has an immediate opening for Public Safety Telecommunicator who will perform various duties. Some of the critical responsibilities of this position include responding to 911 or other ...

Public Safety Telecommunicator

Andover, MN ยท On-site

$31.43 - $45.02/hr

The department has an immediate opening for Public Safety Telecommunicator who will perform various duties. Some of the critical responsibilities of this position include responding to 911 or other ...

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Public Safety Telecommunicator information

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How much do public safety telecommunicator jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for public safety telecommunicator in the United States is $24.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.47 and $27.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a public safety telecommunicator?

A public safety telecommunicator works at an emergency response center and serves as a midpoint between the public and emergency responders. As a public safety telecommunicator, your job duties involve answering phone calls and relaying information to emergency services. You may also often stay on the phone with callers until emergency responders arrive to provide emotional support and guidance. The career typically requires the completion of an emergency dispatch certification program and on-the-job training. Employers may also request candidates to undergo a personality inventory test, drug screening, and a background investigation. Additional qualifications include the ability to handle high-stress situations and remain calm under pressure, along with strong interpersonal and computer skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a public safety telecommunicator?

To thrive as a Public Safety Telecommunicator, you need strong multitasking abilities, quick decision-making skills, and a high school diploma or equivalent, often supplemented by specialized emergency dispatch training or certification. Familiarity with computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems, radio communication equipment, and 911 call-taking software is typically required. Outstanding verbal communication, emotional resilience, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are essential soft skills for this role. These qualities are vital to ensure accurate, efficient response coordination and to provide critical support during emergencies.

What are some common challenges faced by public safety telecommunicators, and how can new hires prepare for them?

Public Safety Telecommunicators often face high-pressure situations, including handling multiple emergency calls simultaneously and making quick decisions with limited information. New hires may find it challenging to manage stress, maintain composure, and accurately relay critical information to first responders. To prepare, it's helpful to develop strong multitasking abilities, practice active listening, and familiarize yourself with local emergency protocols. Many agencies offer comprehensive training and ongoing support to help new team members build confidence and resilience in this demanding but rewarding role.

What is the difference between Public Safety Telecommunicator vs Emergency Dispatcher?

AspectPublic Safety TelecommunicatorEmergency Dispatcher
CertificationsTypically requires APCO or NCIC certificationsOften requires similar certifications, including CPR and emergency communication training
Work EnvironmentOperates in 911 call centers, handling emergency callsWorks in emergency dispatch centers, coordinating response units
Employer & IndustryPublic safety agencies, police, fire, EMSPublic safety agencies, police, fire, EMS

Public Safety Telecommunicators and Emergency Dispatchers often perform similar roles within emergency response teams, handling calls and coordinating services. The main difference lies in terminology used by different regions or agencies, but both require comparable certifications and work in similar environments. They are essential for effective emergency response and often overlap in job duties and employer settings.

What cities are hiring for Public Safety Telecommunicator jobs?

Cities with the most Public Safety Telecommunicator job openings:

Who are the top companies hiring for Public Safety Telecommunicator jobs?

The top employers for Public Safety Telecommunicator jobs are:

What states have the most Public Safety Telecommunicator jobs?

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What job categories do people searching Public Safety Telecommunicator jobs look for?

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What are popular job titles related to Public Safety Telecommunicator jobs?

For Public Safety Telecommunicator jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Public Safety Telecommunicator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,367 per year, or $24.7 per hour.

Public Safety Telecommunicator - Entry Level

Oro Valley, AZ

Oro Valley, AZ โ€ข On-site

$46K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago


Job description

Salary: $46,133.00 Annually
Location : 11000 N. La Canada Drive, Oro Valley, AZ
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26/27 - 00009
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 07/01/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
POSITION SUMMARY
This critical role serves as the vital communications link between the public needing help and emergency services response. As members of the public safety ecosystem, Public Safety Telecommunicators are typically the first point of contact when a person reaches out for help. This entails a candidate to be able to work independently in a high-stress environment while receiving and evaluating incoming emergency and administrative requests for emergency services; triaging those requests for service; providing guidance and assistance to the public in life-safety situations; and coordinating appropriate responses to high-risk, high-stress operations, with the objective of keeping all participants safe.
Oro Valley Police Department (OVPD) is accepting applications for Public Safety Telecommunicator. Interested applicants are REQUIRED to complete an on-line application. Once complete, the applicant will receive an email from Guardian Alliance Technologies within five business days. The email will include a sign-on and instructions on establishing a secure online account. This account will serve the purpose of collecting information and documents required for the personal history questionnaire. Qualified applicants will be provided information on the location and time of the computerized pre-hire test. If you have any specific questions about the position or the process, please contact Mitch Olive at (520) 229-4962 or ovpdrecruiting@orovalleyaz.gov.
Hiring Process
The Public Safety Telecommunicator process includes completion of the personal history questionnaire, a computerized pre-hire test and an oral interview. Also included in the hiring process are the following:
  • Polygraph Exam
  • Drug Screen
  • Psychological Exam
  • Medical Exam

DISQUALIFICATION STANDARDS
  1. Participation in any serious crime, or any behavior, which OVPD, in its sole discretion, deems serious or inappropriate.
  2. Any misdemeanor conviction involving narcotics, drugs, marijuana which OVPD in its sole discretion deems serious, excessive or inappropriate.
  3. Since the age of 18, not have been convicted of domestic violence.
  4. Any illegal use of opiate narcotics, hallucinogens, and/or other dangerous drugs (Includes LSD, PCP, Peyote, Mescaline, Codeine, heroin, morphine, opium, psilocybin, cocaine, hash, speed, "X" or Ecstasy, barbiturates, etc.) which OVPD in its sole discretion deems serious, excessive or inappropriate.
  5. Any history of disregard for traffic laws with such frequency so as to indicate disrespect for traffic laws and a disregard for the safety of other persons on the highway.
  6. Negligence in maintaining financial responsibility.
  7. Failure to follow Application & Background instructions.

This position is skilled emergency service work that involves receiving emergency 911 and non-emergency requests for police assistance, determining nature/urgency of calls, initiating police or other emergency personnel action and maintaining close contact with field units to monitor response and needed support requirements.
The position of Public Safety Telecommunicator requires a considerable degree of initiative and independent judgment within procedural boundaries in responding to emotional, disturbed and sometimes abusive people in a variety of situations. Work may be done separately or in conjunction with other Public Safety Telecommunicators. Public Safety Telecommunicators may assist in training, teaching and basic operational equipment management. The position of Public Safety Telecommunicator requires rotating shift assignments and overtime in accordance with maintaining a fully operational 24 hour facility.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Receives and responds to emergency and non-emergency calls including enhanced 911, and non-emergency calls from the public, dispatchers, and law enforcement agencies via telephone and radio systems and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems.
  • Processes and evaluates information received, prioritizes calls and dispatches required units and/or agencies.
  • Monitors and coordinates police unit activity and assignments via police radio frequencies.
  • Maintains status and locations of public safety personnel.
  • Operates a sophisticated workstation comprised of multiple computer systems, computer-aided dispatch (CAD) software and geographical information systems (GIS), state and federal clearinghouses, call handling including teletypewriter (TTY) and text-to-911 sessions, as well as communications systems such as radio dispatch consoles and recording systems.
  • Creates and maintains automated or manual logs of public safety communications activity.
  • Accesses and enters sensitive data in local/state/national databases as necessary for investigative purposes.
  • Enters and maintains files for persons or property pending apprehension/recovery.
  • Maintains appropriate security and confidentiality of information created or encountered in the performance of assigned duties.
  • Keeps informed of departmental regulations, policies and procedures.
  • May assist in providing on-the-job training for Public Safety Telecommunicators and submit progress reports and evaluations on trainees.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
  • Knowledge of applicable Town, state and Federal statutes, rules, ordinances, codes, regulations governing dispatching.
  • Knowledge of Town and Department policies and procedures.
  • Knowledge of law enforcement records keeping activities and techniques.
  • Ability to operate computers and related communication equipment utilizing a variety of software and operating systems/applications.
  • Skill in quick decision making and correcting emergency situations.
  • Skill in assessing, analyzing, identifying and implementing solutions to complex problems.
  • Ability to follow verbal and written communication.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • A high school diploma or GED.
  • Must be 18 years or older.
  • Successfully complete background investigation.
  • Must be able to work on a rotating schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays to ensure 24/7 coverage.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain the following licenses and certifications within six months of hire date.
    - Basic Telecommunicator Course
    - Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Training
    - CJIS Terminal Operator Certificate

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
  • Work is performed in an indoor environment.

The Town of Oro Valley is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The Town does not discriminate in the provision of employment opportunities, benefits or privileges; create discriminatory work conditions; or use discriminatory evaluative standards in employment if the basis of that discriminatory treatment is, in whole or in part, the person's race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability status, gender, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, genetic information or marital status.
Why Apply
Oro Valley is a planned community cradled in the shadows of the magnificent Santa Catalina Mountains, with hiking trails through Catalina State Park, hiking and bicycle trails throughout the Town, world-class golf courses, horseback riding and a long-valued cultural tradition, vibrant for over a thousand years. Oro Valley has received many accolades through the years and is proud to have been named: Best Places to Live in Arizona, Best Towns for Families and Best Places in America to Live and Launch a Small Business.
Oro Valley is located in northern Pima County, just three miles north of Tucson, and a quick drive to the University of Arizona and Tucson International Airport. With average high temperatures of 83.4 degrees, average lows of 53.8 degrees, the town sits at an elevation of 2,640 feet, covers more than 34 square miles and has a current population of 41,011. Oro Valley was incorporated in April, 1974. Oro Valley is also quickly developing a strong reputation as home to the emerging bioscience and biotech industries. We are a young, diverse, dynamic community with a responsive government and our schools are among the finest in Arizona.
The Town of Oro Valley has a council/manager form of government. Six council members and the mayor are elected for four-year terms. The town manager is appointed by town council. The Town of Oro Valley provides high-quality services including: police, planning, zoning, construction, inspection, transit services, traffic engineering, street maintenance, storm water management, flood control, water utility, parks, recreation, aquatics, library, cultural resources, economic development, constituent services, community and media relations, budget development, debt and investment management, attorney services, magistrate court and more.
Town of Oro Valley currently has a benefits program that is currently offered to employees of the Town who work 20 or more hours per week on a regular basis. (Part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week may qualify for participation in the individual plans, dependent upon the specific terms of coverage.) Please click on the following link to get a full description of all the benefits that the Town of Oro Valley offers.
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Do you have a high school diploma or GED?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question