911 Dispatcher I - Ajo, AZ

Pima County; Ajo (AZ); On-site; USD 33,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Pima County Sheriff’s Department in Ajo, Arizona, is seeking an entry-level 911 Dispatcher I to receive and dispatch for emergency and non-emergency responses. You will work rotating days and shifts, using NG911 and CAD systems to coordinate law enforcement and other units.

The role requires a High School Diploma or GED and includes a pre-employment typing and data entry assessment, with opportunities to advance within a large county department.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Experience in emergency dispatch is preferred.
• Typing and data entry skills will be evaluated during pre-employment testing.

Responsibilities

• Monitor emergency and general-support radio talk groups.
• Receive emergency and non-emergency calls via telephone, radio, and CAD systems.
• Determine priorities and dispatch required units and agencies.
• Transmit messages to field units via radio, telephone, computer, or other systems.
• Maintain logs and records of public safety communications activities.

Skills

Emergency dispatch

Radio communications

Data entry

CAD usage

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Job Description Summary Department - Sheriff's Department

Job Description OPEN UNTIL FILLED Job Type: Classified Job Classification: 5714 - 911 Dispatcher I Salary Grade: 8 Pay Range Hiring Range: $23.98 - $28.19 Per Hour Pay Range: $23.98 - $32.39 Per Hour Range Explanation: Hiring Range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity. Pay Range is the entire compensation range for the position. The first review of applications will be on 10/16/2026.

Receives emergency and non-emergency requests for public safety response, determines priorities, dispatches law enforcement and other emergency units, and monitors response progress and any additional support requirements. This classification is distinguished from 911 Dispatch Supervisor which has supervisory responsibilities for Communications Section staff. It is distinguished from 911 Call Intake Specialist which does not dispatch or communicate directly with field units via the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems. This classification is the entry-level dispatcher in the Sheriff’s Department and you will be required to work rotating days and shifts.

This position is located in Ajo, Arizona - 120 miles west of Tucson, AZ.

Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s need and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.

Essential Functions

• Monitors emergency and general-support radio talk groups.
• Receives emergency and non-emergency calls, including Next Generation 911 (NG911), and non-emergency calls from the public, dispatchers, and law enforcement agencies via telephone, radio systems and CAD systems.
• Determines priorities of all calls and dispatches required units and/or agencies.
• Receives radio calls from field units, and transmits messages via radio, telephone, computer, fax, or other communication equipment.
• Conducts inquiries of various sources to obtain requested information or services by phone or computer-automated communication equipment.
• Maintains status and location control of all public safety personnel involved in department activities.
• Uses various computer systems, databases, and mapping applications for data entry and information retrieval.
• Maintains appropriate security and confidentiality of information created or encountered in the performance of assigned duties.
• May assist in training for other positions using or serviced by CAD and/or the Communications Section.
• Creates and maintains manual and automated logs, and other records of public safety communications activities.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) certificate.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.

Supplemental Information

• Valid driver license is required at time of application.
• Valid AZ driver license is required at time of appointment.
• The successful applicant will be subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine applicant’s suitability to operate county vehicles in accordance with Pima County administrative procedures.
• Failure to obtain and maintain the required licenses and certifications shall be grounds for termination.
• All positions in this classification require attaining and maintaining access certifications by the Sheriff’s Department, state and federal agencies for criminal history databases and associated communications systems.
• Some positions require a valid Arizona Class D driver license at the time of application.

Special Notice Items

• Must be 18 years of age at the time of appointment.
• Applicants must successfully complete and pass the pre-employment public safety dispatch skills assessment, which will include a typing and data entry assessment.
• The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history.
• A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County.
• All positions require satisfactory completion of a personal background investigation by the court or law enforcement agencies, due to the need for access to County Attorney and Court facilities, records, and communication systems.
• Some positions may require bilingual abilities in English and a second language, as determined by the Sheriff’s Department.
• All positions are required to work rotating shifts which include days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, and to work an assigned post that can be rotated/reassigned at management’s discretion.
• Pima County determines whether a position is eligible for visa sponsorship at the time of recruitment. Eligibility is based on the requirements of the position and applicable laws and regulations. Not all positions with Pima County are eligible for visa sponsorship.
• This position will require a post-job offer physical and/or drug screen.

Physical/Sensory Work Requirements

• Ability to: Sit and/or stand for long periods of time; Type and/or perform keyboarding and computer interfacing for extensive periods of time to enter, extract, and retrieve data; Remain calm, think clearly, quickly assess, and evaluate situations, organize thoughts, and respond quickly in emergency and stressful situations; Hear and understand speech and radio transmissions; Communicate clearly in the English language by voice, in-person and via a police radio and/or phone and by other communication systems.
• Action Activity - none that are essential; Motion Activity - graphing; Hearing Activity - in noisy areas, on a radio, behind themselves and equipment alarms; Speaking Activity - in person, on the phone, on a radio; Vision - may be required to operate motor vehicle; must be able to distinguish colors, have depth perception and have peripheral vision.

Working Conditions

Working conditions will be determined by position.

EEO Information

Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Pima County stands out as an exceptional workplace, offering a supportive environment that fosters professional growth and personal satisfaction. As one of the largest employers in the region, Pima County prioritizes its commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, recognizing the unique contributions of each employee. Embracing innovation and collaboration, Pima County provides multiple opportunities in which individuals can make a meaningful impact on their community.

One of the key advantages of working for Pima County is its comprehensive benefits package. Employees enjoy competitive salaries, generous health insurance coverage, and retirement plans that contribute to long-term financial security. Pima County recognizes the importance of a healthy work-life balance, offering flexible work schedules, a generous family leave policy and wellness programs that prioritize employee well-being. Furthermore, Pima County takes pride in fostering a culture of continuous learning and development. Employees benefit from opportunities for professional advancement through training programs, workshops, and educational reimbursement programs. In addition, a County-wide employee recognition program rewards employees who exemplify the County values of being accountable, respectful and ethical as well as providing great customer service. By joining Pima County, individuals become part of a dedicated team working towards a common goal: enhancing the quality of life for residents and building a vibrant future. Pima County is not just an employer; it's a community that values its employees, encourages their growth, and invests in their success.