911 Dispatcher Talent Pool (Waitlist)

Huntsville-Madison County 9-1-1 Center; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 39,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid medical insurance

Long-Term disability

Term Life Insurance

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Retirement plan

Paid training

Holiday pay

Job summary

Huntsville-Madison County 9-1-1 seeks a Dispatcher to manage emergency calls, gather vital data, and coordinate responders. The role trains on call handling systems and protocols, with a strong emphasis on accuracy under pressure.

The team works 12‑hour shifts, including holidays, with comprehensive benefits and paid training. This waitlist helps fast‑track candidates into the training academy as openings arise.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required; must be at least 18 years old.
• Typing speed 25 wpm with 80% accuracy.
• Ability to work 6:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m.–6:00 a.m.
• Pass a computerized applicant test and thorough background check.
• Pass a post-job offer polygraph exam and physical examination.
• Obtain Emergency Telecommunicator Certification and Emergency Police Dispatch Certification.
• Customer service experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Answer and analyze emergency calls via phone/text; locate and relay information.
• Coordinate transfer of photos, videos, and live streams to responders.
• Gather data for medical and fire incidents and route to proper agency.
• Process police calls with a specialized protocol and instruct callers.

Skills

High Stress Tolerance

Communication Skills

Computer Proficiency

Typing Proficiency

Integrity

Flexibility

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

9-1-1 Dispatcher Talent Pool (Waitlist)

Location: Huntsville, Alabama

Department: Huntsville-Madison County 9-1-1

Starting Salary: $22.00 per hour with 100% Employer-paid medical insurance premiums including family coverage!

The Role: Be the Calm in the Storm

As a Dispatcher, you are the "first" first responder. You will manage emergency calls, prioritize the needs of the situation, and ensure responders have safety information as well as caller’s emergency information needed to save lives.

While we may not have an immediate seat open today, our agency faces routine staffing shifts and growth. We utilize this Talent Waitlist to identify, pre-screen, and build relationships with high-integrity, resilient individuals. When a position opens up, we pull directly from this verified pool to fast-track candidates into our paid training academy.

What You’ll Do

• Answer & Analyze: Receive emergency calls via phone and text; determine the location and nature of the emergency. Coordinate the transfer of photos, videos, and live streams to the appropriate responding agencies.

• Emergency Coordination: Gather primary data for medical and fire-related incidents before routing callers to the appropriate response agency.

• Process Police Calls: For police-related emergencies, our 9-1-1 Dispatchers process police calls completely utilizing a specialized computerized police protocol. This system provides a step-by-step process, ensuring that all vital information is collected and that callers receive essential, life-saving instructions.

• Document: Efficiently enter accurate data into the system while multitasking under pressure.

What You Bring to the Table

• High Stress Tolerance: You stay focused and calm even when the caller on the other end of the line is not.

• Communication Skills: Clear voice, active listening, and the ability to extract information from frantic callers.

• Computer and Typing Proficiency: Demonstrate strong computer skills and map interpretation abilities while maintaining necessary typing speeds during high-pressure multitasking.

• Integrity: You understand the importance of confidentiality and public trust.

• Flexibility: You are willing to work 12-hour shifts, overtime, and holidays.

Minimum Requirements

Required Education:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to type at least 25 words per minute with 80% accuracy.
• Ability to work 6:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.
• Must pass a computerized applicant test.
• Must pass a thorough post-job offer background check.
• Must pass a post-job offer polygraph exam.
• Must pass a post-job offer physical examination.
• Basic computer proficiency.
• Ability to obtain Emergency Telecommunicator Certification and Emergency Police Dispatch Certification.
• Preferred: Prior experience in customer service.

Why Join Us?

• Competitive Benefits: 100% Employer-paid medical insurance premiums (BCBS of Alabama) including family coverage, 100% Employer-paid supplemental medical insurance, Employer-Paid Long-Term disability, Employer-Paid Term Life Insurance.

• Optional Benefits: Dental, vision, Short-Term Disability, pre-tax flexible spending accounts (Medical and/or childcare), and a full cafeteria plan of other optional benefits.

• Retirement: Full pension plan under the Retirement Systems of Alabama (Tier 1).

• Pay Increases: Annual cost of living increases, annual longevity pay increases, 12 paid holidays per year.

• Paid Training: No prior experience in emergency communications is required. You will be trained on the call handling systems, emergency protocols, and be assigned a Mentor for on-the-job training.

• Shift Structure: Staff operate on 12-hour shifts covering both day and night rotations. Day shifts operate from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., while night shifts operate from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Dispatchers are likely to work most holidays and weekends.

• Built-In Overtime: Your two-week pay period alternates between 36 hours one week and 48 hours the next. Any amount of hours worked over 40 hours in one week results in overtime pay. This structure provides the opportunity for built-in overtime pay based on the bi-weekly shifts, significantly boosting your annual earnings. You will have approximately 14 days off per month, depending on your schedule for that month.

• Other Benefits: Employee Assistance Program, 12 paid holidays each year, accrued paid sick and vacation time, other benefits available to first responders.

How the waitlist process works:

1. Apply & Test: Submit your application. Qualified candidates will be invited to attend an Orientation and complete a computerized public safety aptitude test.

2. Interview & Pool Placement: Candidates who pass the test and panel interview will be placed on our active Eligibility Waitlist.

3. The Call to Action: As vacancies arise, candidates are drawn from the waitlist to begin background clearances and enter the next upcoming paid training class.

Huntsville-Madison County 9-1-1 is an Equal Opportunity Employer.