911 Emergency Dispatcher - Full-Time & Part-Time

Emergency Telecommunicator Services; Alton (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Retirement benefits

Paid leave

Job summary

Emergency Telecommunicator Services seeks a qualified dispatcher to handle emergency and nonemergency calls for the assigned service area. The role involves confirming details, prioritizing incidents, and entering information into dispatch systems while coordinating with responders.

Applicants may face overnight shifts, overtime, and rotating schedules in a high-pace environment. A high school diploma or equivalent is commonly required, with some agencies requiring prior experience or current

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is commonly required.
• Some agencies recruit entry-level applicants; others require experience or current certifications.
• Official announcements determine testing scores, experience, and training deadlines.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Typing

Active listening

Clear speech

Computer literacy

Info organization

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Position Details

• Duty Location: {airport_name}, Wood River, IL
• 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.