911 TELECOMMUNICATOR / EMERGENCY CALL TAKER – FULL-TIME

pafford; Ridgeland (MS); On-site; USD 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Pafford Emergency Medical Services (PEMS) seeks a Telecommunicator to manage high-stress emergency and administrative calls in a secure 9-1-1 dispatch center. You will prioritize requests, gather critical details, and coordinate with public safety responders.

The role demands strong communication skills, ability to work under pressure, and teamwork in a structured environment. Equal opportunity employer with rigorous background checks for training eligibility.

Qualifications

• Desirable qualifications include experience in customer service or public relations and strong English communication.
• Background check and drug screening may be required before training.
• Ability to work as part of a team in a high-stress emergency environment.

Responsibilities

• Receive and prioritize multiple emergency and administrative calls for assistance.
• Process requests for emergency and non-emergency ambulance service with reference materials and SOPs.
• Identify caller needs through questioning to determine the problem.
• Summarize critical information for dispatch with correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.
• Access and operate computer databases and maps as needed.
• Receive and transmit information by radio and telephone to public safety agencies.
• Prioritize and relay information to requesting agencies and coordinate with responders.

Skills

Communication

Multitasking

Teamwork

Stress management

Listening

Data entry

Public safety knowledge

English fluency

Leadership

Problem solving

Education

High School or better

Job description

Job Category: Central Communications

Requisition Number: 911TE001300

• Posted : August 4, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site

Locations

Showing 1 location

Description

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS: Work experience preferably in a customer service or public relations environment and the ability to speak and understand English for effective communication with callers. Ability to speak a foreign language is a bonus. An outgoing, positive personality and professional work ethic is essential. The desire and willingness to be part of a team.

Candidates who receive contingent employment offers will be required to pass, prior to the start of training, a criminal background check and drug screening test.

Examples of Work Performed:

• Receive, prioritize, and often handle multiple, simultaneous emergency and administrative phone calls for assistance, such as but not limited to, car accidents, medical emergencies and hospital transfers.
• Process requests for emergency and non-emergency ambulance service, that often require referring to or memorizing detailed reference materials and standard operating procedures, including databases, maps, telephone listings, and other resources.
• Identify, through appropriate and timely questioning of the caller, the nature of the problem.
• Summarize the critical information for public safety first responders in the computer aided dispatch system using correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and refer and classify calls for assistance according to the level of response required, as outlined in the policy and procedure guidelines.
• Access and operate computer databases and search websites as necessary.
• Receive and transmit information effectively by radio and telephone.
• Receive requests by radio, phone, electronic format or fax from law enforcement, fire/medical personnel, and other public safety agencies to, access, enter, retrieve and disseminate information; prioritize and effectively relay information in proper format to the requesting agency. Contact outside public service agencies as requested and relay information as required.

Incumbents function in a stressful environment and work eight and twelve hour shifts during nights, weekends and holidays. Decisions must be made quickly with little margin of error and consequences are usually seen immediately. Work involves operation of multiple computer terminals, requiring doing several things at once, without getting confused or forgetting an important piece of information. Constant attention to the workstation and its communications equipment limits mobility, except for work breaks. Telecommunicators must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism despite frequent contact with individuals who are distraught, angry and sometimes disrespectful. The content and nature of many calls is traumatic and disturbing. Work is carried out in a secured 9-1-1 emergency call center in a controlled, closely supervised, and highly structured work environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Ability to perform oriented tasks efficiently and accurately in a fast paced, high stress environment.
• Ability to listen, speak and write articulately clearly and interact with the public, a diverse workgroup, and emergency staff without confusion.
• Ability to refer common patient care issues to supervisory authority.
• Ability to gain an understanding of the current telecommunications organizational structure, policies, procedures, programs, practices, terminology and services.
• Ability to maintain files.
• Ability to concentrate and evaluate information when handling angry, difficult, hysterical or uncooperative callers.
• Ability to effectively listen with communication equipment.
• Ability to communicate respectfully and effectively.
• Ability to participate in effective teamwork by being self motivated, accepting of assignments and by completing assignments within agreed upon deadlines.
• Ability to identify problems and collect, summarize and relay information.
• Ability to summarize key individual characteristics and enter the information into the database, (while using correct grammar, spelling and punctuation) for use by co-workers and pre-hospital care staff.
• Ability to demonstrate leadership qualities such as adaptability, flexibility, dependability, punctuality and accountability through quick, effective responses to change.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations and assist other staff to appropriately handle stressful situations.

NOTE:The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills and physical demands required of personnel so classified.
If you require alternative methods of application or screening, you must approach the employer directly to request this as Indeed is not responsible for the employer's application process.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

Pafford Emergency Medical Services (PEMS) is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees are valued and treated with respect. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

PEMS complies with all applicable laws regarding equal employment opportunities and prohibits any form of workplace discrimination or harassment. We strive to foster an environment of fairness, integrity, and respect where all employees can thrive and contribute to our mission.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Ability to perform oriented tasks efficiently and accurately in a fast paced, high stress environment.
• Ability to listen, speak and write articulately clearly and interact with the public, a diverse workgroup, and emergency staff without confusion.
• Ability to refer common patient care issues to supervisory authority.
• Ability to gain an understanding of the current telecommunications organizational structure, policies, procedures, programs, practices, terminology and services.
• Ability to maintain files.
• Ability to concentrate and evaluate information when handling angry, difficult, hysterical or uncooperative callers.
• Ability to effectively listen with communication equipment.
• Ability to communicate respectfully and effectively.
• Ability to participate in effective teamwork by being self motivated, accepting of assignments and by completing assignments within agreed upon deadlines.
• Ability to identify problems and collect, summarize and relay information.
• Ability to summarize key individual characteristics and enter the information into the database, (while using correct grammar, spelling and punctuation) for use by co-workers and pre-hospital care staff.
• Ability to demonstrate leadership qualities such as adaptability, flexibility, dependability, punctuality and accountability through quick, effective responses to change.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations and assist other staff to appropriately handle stressful situations.

Behaviors

Team Player

Works well as a member of a group

Detail Oriented

Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Motivations

Preferred

Self-Starter

Inspired to perform without outside help

Ability to Make an Impact

Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Education

Preferred

High School or better.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.