911 Communications Officer

Gallatin County; Bozeman (MT); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical insurance

PERS retirement

Job summary

Gallatin County 911 is hiring dispatcher trainees for a paid training program to learn emergency communications, CAD operation, and radio dispatching. The role supports police, fire, and EMS and reports to a shift supervisor.

Successful candidates will complete call-taking and dispatch training while learning essential emergency procedures. Applicants must demonstrate clear English communication, rapid information recall, and the ability to work under stress.

Qualifications

• High school graduation or equivalent.
• NAED Emergency Medical and Fire Dispatch certification required; training provided.
• Valid Montana driver’s license or ability to obtain within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Screen and prioritize emergency and non-emergency calls.
• Document all phone traffic in the CAD system.
• Handle radio dispatching and information relay to first responders.
• Work as a team member and support multiple monitors simultaneously.
• Perform other duties as assigned or in response to emergencies.

Skills

English language proficiency

Ability to work under pressure

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Job description

A career in 9-1-1 Emergency Communications is exciting and rewarding. Join our vibrant and energized team of highly trained professionals who are dedicated to making a positive difference in all communities within Gallatin County. You will learn emergency communications through our fully paid training program and find a career of a lifetime! Gallatin County 911 offers a generous benefit package including a competitive salary, medical, dental, vision, paid sick/vacation, and PERS retirement.

This position provides support services for community members, Police, Fire, and EMS. Dispatcher trainees will learn emergency and non-emergency call-taking, radio dispatching, and documentation functions using Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD). Duties include screening and prioritizing calls; documenting all phone traffic received in computer-aided dispatch system; and performing a variety of other duties as assigned, or as needed in response to emergency situations. The position reports to a 911 shift supervisor and does not supervise other county personnel.

The position requires the ability to speak English clearly; verbally communicate at a rapid speech rate under stressful, confused and/or hectic circumstances; record names and numbers rapidly and accurately; quickly recall details and essential information; consistently think clearly and respond quickly in a wide variety of emergency situations; relay information to first responders; work with multiple computer monitors simultaneously; work as a team member; and to establish and maintain good working relationships.

The required knowledge, skills, and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school. Trainees are expected in the future to be able to complete dispatch training at the Law Enforcement Academy, additional training courses in domestic violence, emergency medical dispatch and radio operation, and extensive on-the-job training. NAED Emergency Medical and Fire Dispatch certification is required, and training will be provided upon completion of call-taker training.

Licenses and Certifications

Applicants for this position must possess a valid driver’s license issued by the state of Montana or obtain a Montana driver’s license within the 1st 6-months of employment and be insurable under the County’s liability policies.

Criminal history checks will be completed on all applicants before interviews and testing phases. By applying to this position, you are giving consent to have your criminal history check done. Final candidates will be required to successfully pass a full background investigation, psychological evaluation and complete a successful drug screening.

Gallatin County does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.