911 Call Taker

Public Safety Dispatch Network; Wayland (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement contributions

Paid leave

Employee-assistance programs

Continuing training

Job summary

The Public Safety Dispatch Network is recruiting for an on-site dispatcher in Missouri. The role involves answering emergency and non-emergency lines, confirming locations and callback details, and applying scripted questions to determine urgency.

You will enter information into dispatch software and promptly forward data to the correct team. Candidates should have a high school diploma or equivalent and may benefit from prior customer service or public safety experience.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or recognized equivalent is required.
• Previous customer service or public safety experience helps; some vacancies accept applicants without dispatch experience.
• Ability to follow structured procedures and demonstrate strong listening and typing accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Answer incoming emergency calls and assigned nonemergency lines.
• Confirm incident location and caller callback information.
• Use approved questions to identify nature and urgency of the situation.
• Enter accurate details into call-processing or dispatch software.
• Forward incident information promptly to the appropriate dispatch function.
• Help distressed callers focus on essential questions and instructions.
• Use approved language-access and accessibility resources when needed.
• Provide authorized pre-arrival instructions only within training.

Skills

Listening skills

Typing speed

Verbal communication

Procedural compliance

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Duty Location

{airport_name}, Clark, MO

Employer

The hiring emergency communications agency identified in the official vacancy

Pay

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Schedule

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Appointment Type

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Who May Apply

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Application Deadline

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911 call-taking services commonly operate 24 hours a day. Depending on staffing needs, employees may work rotating shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime.

What You May Do

• Answer incoming emergency calls and assigned nonemergency lines
• Confirm the incident location and caller's callback information
• Use approved questions to identify the nature and urgency of the situation
• Enter accurate details into call-processing or dispatch software
• Forward incident information promptly to the appropriate dispatch function
• Help distressed callers focus on essential questions and instructions
• Use approved language-access and accessibility resources when needed
• Provide authorized pre-arrival instructions only within training and certification

Experience and Education Requirements

Employers commonly require a high school diploma or recognized equivalent. Previous customer service, telephone support, or public safety experience may be helpful, although some vacancies accept applicants without dispatch experience. Successful candidates need strong listening comprehension, accurate typing, clear verbal communication, and the ability to follow structured procedures. Required assessments and minimum scores are determined by the hiring agency.

General Conditions of Employment

• Meet agency-specific employment eligibility and age requirements
• Complete required background checks and hiring assessments
• Complete additional screening identified in the announcement
• Successfully complete call-taking training and performance evaluations
• Obtain applicable certifications within the required timeframe
• Protect caller privacy and confidential incident information

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Call Takers spend substantial time using telephone headsets, keyboards, and computer displays. The work may involve repeated exposure to callers experiencing fear, injury, or loss. Review the official vacancy for essential functions, scheduling expectations, and available accommodations.

Benefits

• health insurance
• retirement contributions
• paid leave
• employee-assistance programs
• continuing training