Communication Operator

City of St. Cloud; Town of Florida (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of St. Cloud is hiring a Communications Operator to join the Emergency Services System. You will receive and transmit messages, coordinate responders, and request emergency services as part of the system.

As the first point of contact in urgent situations, you play a vital role in ensuring timely, accurate, and professional communication that supports public safety. Minimum 18 years of age and high school graduation or GED are required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 18 years of age and ability to pass background checks.
• High school diploma or GED required, with relevant public safety certifications.
• Certification in FCIC/NCIC, 911 PST, Emergency Medical Dispatch, Emergency Fire Dispatch, Emergency Police Dispatch, and CPR within six months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Receives and records all calls for service by telephone, including 911, in person and by radio.
• Dispatches emergency services in response to calls.
• Provides advice and assistance to the public in crisis situations and makes referrals.
• Monitors progress of emergency response and updates unit status as needed.
• Enters and retrieves data; prepares and disseminates information and records daily.
• Maintains files on wanted, missing, or lost persons, and disseminates information to law enforcement.
• Answers police administrative phone during non-business hours.
• Monitors security systems and responds to alarms; operates gates as required.
• Contacts off duty police administration for emergencies.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Education

High School diploma or GED

FCIC/NCIC certification

911 PST certification

Emergency Medical Dispatch certification

Emergency Fire Dispatch certification

Emergency Police Dispatch certification

CPR certification

Job description

Now Hiring: Communications Operator

Are you calm under pressure, service-driven, and ready to make a real impact in your community? The Police Department is seeking dedicated Communications Operators to join our Emergency Services System team.

This critical role is responsible for receiving and transmitting messages, coordinating communication between responders, and requesting emergency services as part of the Emergency Services System. As the first point of contact in urgent situations, you play a vital role in ensuring timely, accurate, and professional communication that supports public safety.

We are looking for candidates who reflect our city’s core values:

• Accountability – You understand the importance of accuracy, confidentiality, and reliability in every interaction.
• Empowerment – You take initiative, make informed decisions, and contribute positively to a collaborative team environment.
• Innovation – You embrace technology and continuous improvement to better serve the community.
• Ownership – You take pride in your work and recognize the direct impact your role has on residents, visitors, and emergency personnel.

This position requires flexibility, as hours will vary, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and shift work to ensure 24/7 coverage.

Join us in making a difference when it matters most.

Please note: This posting will remain open even when there are no immediate vacancies. The Police Department maintains this continuous posting in order to build and maintain a qualified hiring list for future openings.

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position as necessary.

• Receives and records all calls for service received by telephone, including 911 calls, in person and by radio transmission.
• Dispatches emergency services in response to calls.
• Provides advice and assistance to the public in crisis situations and makes referrals to other agencies as required.
• Monitors the progress of emergency service response; responds for further calls for
  back-up or support; updates the status and availability of police units, officers and other emergency personnel.
• Enters and retrieves data; prepares and disseminates daily information and records.
• Maintains files on wanted, missing, or lost persons, and stolen vehicles and disseminates information to law enforcement.
• Answers police administrative phone during non-business hours.
• Monitors security system and responds to alarms as needed; monitors and operates security gates.
• Contacts off duty police administration for emergencies.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Minimum 18 years of age.

Requires High School graduation or GED equivalent.

Must possess and maintain FCIC/NCIC certification, 911 PST certification, Emergency Medical Dispatch certification. Emergency Fire Dispatch certification, Emergency Police Dispatch certification and CPR certification within six (6) months of employment.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and communicate. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.

Mathematics

Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.

Language Ability

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

Reasoning

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee may be regularly exposed to extreme cold or hot conditions within the office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.