911 Emergency Dispatcher - Make a Difference

911 Emergency Communications; Council Bluffs (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Retirement benefits

Paid leave

Employee-assistance services

Professional training

Shift differentials

Overtime compensation

Job summary

911 Emergency Communications in Council Bluffs, IA seeks a dispatcher to handle emergency and nonemergency calls from the public. You will verify locations, collect details, and determine call priority in line with agency procedures.

Responsibilities include data entry into CAD, coordinating with responders, monitoring radio traffic, and providing caller instructions within training limits. Healthy work environment and ongoing training are offered.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED commonly required; some agencies require experience or testing.
• Skills include fast, accurate keyboarding and effective listening.
• Ability to communicate clearly and organize information under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Answer emergency and nonemergency calls within the service area.
• Verify addresses, callback numbers, and details for incident accuracy.
• Assess call priority using agency procedures.
• Enter calls into CAD systems and coordinate with responders.
• Monitor radio communications and update responders as needed.
• Provide caller instructions within training and certification limits.
• Maintain records and protect confidential information.

Skills

Accurate typing

Active listening

Clear speech

Basic computer proficiency

Organize information under pressure

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems

Job description

Position Details

Duty Location:
{airport_name}, Saint Marys, IA

Employer:
The hiring public safety agency identified in the official vacancy

Pay:
{salary_min}–{salary_max} per year

Schedule:
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Appointment Type:
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Who May Apply:
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Application Deadline:
{closing_date}

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
• professional training
• Shift differentials
• overtime compensation
• other benefits depend on the employer and appointment terms