911 Emergency Dispatcher: Calm, Critical-Response

911 Emergency Communications; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Retirement benefits

Paid leave

Professional training

Job summary

911 Emergency Communications in Herndon, VA seeks a dispatcher to connect callers with police, fire, or medical responders. You will manage emergency and nonemergency calls, verify locations, and relay critical information using multiple communications systems.

Work requires calm, precise communication, strong listening, and the ability to document evolving details under pressure. Training and certifications govern testing scores and eligibility.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is commonly required.
• Some agencies recruit entry-level applicants, while others require previous emergency communications experience or certifications.
• Typing, active listening, clear speech, basic computer proficiency, and ability to organize information under pressure are useful skills.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Calm communication

Active listening

Typing skills

Clear speech

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Computer-aided dispatch systems

Job description

911 Emergency Communications in Herndon, VA seeks a dispatcher to connect callers with police, fire, or medical responders. You will manage emergency and nonemergency calls, verify locations, and relay critical information using multiple communications systems.

Work requires calm, precise communication, strong listening, and the ability to document evolving details under pressure. Training and certifications govern testing scores and eligibility.