911 Emergency Dispatcher

911 Emergency Communications; Colonial Beach (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Retirement benefits

Paid leave

Employee assistance services

Professional training

Job summary

911 Emergency Communications in Virginia is seeking candidates for a telecommunicator role supporting emergency and nonemergency calls. The position involves working within a public safety environment, handling multiple screens, and adhering to agency procedures.

Applicants should meet the education requirements, be able to type accurately, listen actively, speak clearly, and organize information under pressure. The official vacancy will define testing scores and deadlines.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; some agencies recruit entry-level.
• Testing scores, experience, and training deadlines are set by the official announcement.
• Strong typing, listening, speech, and ability to organize information under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Answer emergency and nonemergency calls within the assigned service area.
• Confirm addresses, callback numbers, incident details, and safety concerns.
• Assess call priority using approved questions and procedures.
• Enter incident information into dispatch systems.
• Dispatch responders when assigned to radio operations.
• Monitor radio traffic and update responders as circumstances change.
• Provide approved caller instructions within training limits.
• Maintain accurate records and protect confidential information.

Skills

Accurate typing

Active listening

Clear speech

Basic computer proficiency

Organizing information under pressure

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems

Job description

Position Details

• Duty Location: {airport_name}, Colonial Beach, VA
• Employer: The hiring public safety agency identified in the official vacancy
• Pay: {salary_min}–{salary_max} per year
• Schedule: {work_schedule}
• Appointment Type: {appointment_type}
• Who May Apply: {who_may_apply}
• Application Deadline: {closing_date}

Emergency communications centers commonly operate around the clock. Depending on the position, assignments may include overnight shifts, weekends, holidays, rotating schedules, and required overtime.

What You May Do

• Answer emergency and nonemergency calls within the assigned service area
• Confirm addresses, callback numbers, incident details, and immediate safety concerns
• Assess call priority using approved questions and agency procedures
• Enter incident information into computer-aided dispatch systems
• Dispatch appropriate responders when assigned to radio operations
• Monitor radio traffic and update responding personnel as circumstances change
• Provide approved caller instructions within the limits of training and certification
• Maintain accurate records and protect confidential information

Experience and Education Requirements

A high school diploma or recognized equivalency credential is commonly required. Some agencies recruit entry-level applicants, while others require previous emergency communications experience or current certifications.

Useful skills include accurate typing, active listening, clear speech, basic computer proficiency, and the ability to organize information under pressure. The official announcement determines required testing scores, experience, and training deadlines.

General Conditions of Employment

• Meet the agency’s minimum age and employment eligibility requirements
• Complete required background screening and hiring assessments
• Complete medical, psychological, or drug screening when required
• Obtain and maintain applicable telecommunicator certifications
• Follow information-security and confidentiality requirements
• Remain available for assigned shifts and emergency staffing needs

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

This position generally involves extended workstation duties, headset use, keyboard entry, and monitoring multiple screens. Employees may handle distressing calls and rapidly changing incidents. Essential functions and any accommodation process are described by the hiring agency.

Benefits

Eligible employees may receive health coverage, retirement benefits, paid leave, employee-assistance services, and professional training. Shift differentials, overtime compensation, and other benefits depend on the employer and appointment terms.