911 Dispatcher (Public Safety Communicator)

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Board; United States; On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Certification pay up to $5,000

Potential for additional training and development

Job summary

The Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Board seeks a Telecommunicator to operate emergency telecommunications and CCTV systems. Responsibilities include dispatching emergency services, monitoring alarms, and managing ongoing communications.

Applicants should have a high school diploma, relevant experience, and the ability to obtain necessary certifications. This is a safety-sensitive position that requires passing background checks and ongoing evaluations.

Qualifications

• Completion of high school curriculum or equivalent.
• One year of experience in telecommunications or CCTV surveillance.
• TCOLE Basic Telecommunicator license required.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor Emergency 911 system and dispatch units.
• Evaluate and prioritize emergency medical calls.
• Maintain compliance with FCC regulations in operations.

Skills

Telecommunications operations

CCTV monitoring

Emergency situation analysis

Microsoft Excel

Effective communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

TCOLE Basic Telecommunicator license

Tools

Telecommunications equipment

CCTV systems

Job description

Job Overview

Starting Pay up to $35.16. Certification pay up to $5,000 (paid within your first year).

Under the general supervision of the Public Safety Communications Supervisor, you will operate telecommunications equipment to receive and evaluate incoming calls for police, fire and medical assistance; dispatch appropriate personnel and equipment to emergencies; and operate and monitor various CCTV systems and terminal alarms to provide surveillance support for daily incidents and criminal cases to local, state, and federal courts. Roles and responsibilities will be assigned to specific workstations, not simultaneously, based on staffing levels and operational needs. Work is performed in a stressful environment where a variety of calls, frequently emergency in nature, are screened and dispatched within short time frames.

What you will be doing

• Operate and monitor the Emergency 911 system, multiple talk group two‑way radio system and departmental telephone lines, receive and evaluate incoming requests for police, fire and medical assistance, and dispatch units as required based on the nature of the call.
• Disseminate information to field units as required.
• Evaluate and prioritize emergency medical calls based on nationally recognized Emergency Medical Dispatch protocol.
• Monitor status of all on‑duty police, fire and medical units, coordinate availability of each unit and call in additional on‑call personnel as necessary.
• Maintain notification files and request services from other Airport Board departments, specialized police/fire units, secondary ambulance services, and wrecker services.
• Conduct tests and interface functions on multiple electronic emergency systems and alarms, including the Emergency 911 system, to ensure proper operation and backup capability.
• Operate and oversee the CCTV system across the entire Airport in both secure and non‑secure access areas, for incoming alarms, suspicious activities, and emergency responses.
• Dispatch law enforcement for incoming alarms from terminal checkpoints in accordance with DPS Standard Operating Procedures and TSA regulations.
• Monitor critical safety and security systems such as fire exit door alarms, exercising discretion in determining severity of situations and dispatching first responders accordingly.
• Monitors DPS radio traffic for calls to law enforcement, firefighters, and paramedics inside the terminals; utilize CCTV equipment to follow and document police service calls for potential evidence in criminal or administrative cases.
• Ensure compliance with FCC regulations in telecommunications operations and monitor security areas via CCTV, dispatching law enforcement as needed.
• Support law enforcement by retrieving, reviewing, copying, and distributing audio/visual recordings related to specific incidents for use as evidence in local, state, and federal court cases.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What you need

• Completion of high school curriculum or equivalent.
• One (1) plus year of experience performing telecommunications activities and/or CCTV surveillance in a public safety, security, or airport environment.
• TCOLE Basic Telecommunicator license.
• Within one (1) year from hire, ability to obtain the following licensure and certifications if not already licensed/certified: Full Access TCIC/NCIC certification; Emergency Medical Dispatch certification through IAED.
• Ability to receive required licensure and certification within one year of employment; failure to obtain these requirements will result in termination from the role and potential continuation of other airport opportunities.
• Ability to pass CJIS Security Awareness Training within 30 days of employment.
• Must not have been convicted of a Class “B” misdemeanor within the last ten (10) years or any offense greater than a Class “B”; must not have been convicted of any family violence offense.
• Ability to pass a personal and criminal background check, a psychological evaluation, a truth verification examination, and a medical physical examination.
• Possession of a valid Class C driver’s license.
• Must obtain a Security Identification Display Area (SIDA) Airport Identification/Access Badge (badge) in accordance with Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requirements within thirty (30) days from date of employment and maintain qualification for a SIDA badge upon each badge renewal.
• This is a designated safety‑sensitive position as defined in DFW Airport’s Drug and Alcohol Administrative Policy and Procedure.
• Applicants selected for this position will be required to pass a drug screening test prior to employment and to submit to drug screening on a random basis during the length of their employment in the safety‑sensitive position.
• This is a designated Essential Employee position as defined in DFW Airport’s Categories and Classifications Administrative Policy and Procedure. An essential employee is one whose attendance is required to maintain airport operations during an emergency or inclement weather situation.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Knowledge and ability to use miscellaneous software including Microsoft Excel, Word, and other programs to compile and produce routine reports.
• Knowledge of principles, practices and terminology used in CCTV monitoring and its application in real‑time response situations.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure, analyze situations, and make quick decisions based on established protocols.
• Ability to clearly and effectively communicate verbally in English across various telecommunications platforms (radio, telephone), with a focus on emergency scenarios.
• Ability to think clearly and concisely, analyze data from a variety of sources, and make rapid decisions and judgments in response to emergency requests for assistance.
• Ability to process multiple audio and visual inputs simultaneously.
• Ability to maintain effective and harmonious internal and external working relationships.
• Ability to work hours and assignments as determined by operational need; i.e., 9‑1‑1, Police/Fire dispatch, CCTV monitoring, or others.
• Ability to follow procedures, regulations, and protocols related to telecommunications.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing to airport employees, supervisory staff, outside agencies, tenants and guests.
• Ability to work shift hours as assigned which may include nights, weekends, rotating shifts, and holidays.
• Ability to respond to emergency call‑up and to work adjusted shifts under routine and non‑routine events.
• Ability to work in an environment without windows or outside contact.
• Ability to eat on the job without having a scheduled coffee or meal break.