Communications Technician I

City of Gahanna; West Virginia; On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Gahanna is seeking diverse, motivated individuals for the 911 Dispatcher role in the Police Department. You will be part of a 24/7 radio room operation, receiving calls and dispatching police personnel and equipment to emergencies.

A Civil Service online examination is administered after application. Candidates must meet education and typing requirements and work toward LEADS, APCO EMD/EFD certifications and Ohio Notary within six months.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Typing speed of 45 WPM with minimal error required.
• APCO EMD/EFD certification must be obtained within six months.
• LEADS certification must be obtained within six months.
• Notary public in Ohio must be obtained within first six months.

Responsibilities

• Receive calls for service and dispatch personnel and equipment.
• Maintain records and enter data; prepare reports.
• Receive and transmit messages by radio; monitor CAD log.
• Dispatch vehicles as needed and ensure proper communication.

Skills

Typing 45 WPM

Data entry

Radio operations

TDD

LEADS knowledge

Public interaction

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch)

LEADS system

Job description

The Gahanna Division of Police is seeking diverse, motivated and qualified individuals for the position of 911 Dispatcher. Come join one of central Ohio's leaders in policing. Be a part of a diverse workforce that provides for the safe travel for motorists, pursues excellence in service delivery, and works to reduce the rate and fear of crime all while keeping the City of Gahanna a safe place to live, work and raise a family.
The Gahanna Civil Service Commission will administer an online practical examination upon application. Eligible applicants will receive an email with instructions from Criticall on how to complete the exam. For more information on the hiring process, read the 2026 applicant packet. To view the packet, visit https://www.gahanna.gov/184/Join-Our-Team

The position of 911 Dispatcher performs intermediate technical work on an assigned shift dispatching law enforcement personnel usually in response to emergency situations; does related work as required.

WILL WORK ROTATING SHIFTS to help cover a 24/7 radio room operation.

Essential Job Functions:

• Receiving calls for service; dispatching personnel and equipment; maintaining records; entering data; preparing reports.


• Receives and transmits messages primarily by radio and maintains radio log on shift work in Computer Aided Dispatch System (CAD).


• Enters and retrieves a variety of data into computer system concerning department activities.


• Receives emergency calls, determines location and nature of emergency, and dispatches appropriate personnel and equipment.


• Dispatches vehicles where and when needed.

Regular, predictable, and punctual attendance is required.

Education and Experience:

• High school graduate or equivalent

• Ability to type 45 WPM with minimal error

Licenses and Certificates:

• State of Ohio Notary (obtain within first six months of employment)


• Must be able to obtain LEADS certification within 6 months of employment


• APCO EMD/EFD certification (obtain within the first six months of employment)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Methods of operating two-way communication systems.


• Radio code system and teletype procedures


• Geography of the City and location of important buildings

Skill in:

• Typing with minimal error at least 45 WPM.


• Data Entry with minimal error at least 4,000 keystrokes per hour.


• Radio operations and related equipment; Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD); telephone; two-way radio; LEADS and basic office equipment.


• Assisting and responding courteously and professionally to the public and co-workers.


• Quickly assessing an emergency situation and determining course of action.

Mental and Physical Abilities (Ability to):

• Listen, speak, and write articulately and clearly while interacting with the public, co-workers and emergency personnel.


• Remain calm in stressful situations.


• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other communication technicians, police officers, and the general public.


• Operate standard office, data entry and computer equipment, and communication consoles.


• Effectively multi-task with multiple calls, radio traffic and other tasks under emergency and often times, stressful situations.


• Work all shifts including holidays, weekends and mandatory overtime in order to handle the workload of the dispatching center.

Working Conditions:

This is light work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects; work requires reaching, fingering, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word, and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels, and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or make fine distinctions in sound; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operation of machines, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surrounding and activities; the worker is not subject to adverse environmental conditions.

• Receives complaints in person or by telephone, passes information on to appropriate units and keeps records of complaints/phone calls.


• Makes inquiries concerning vehicles via computer system.


• Monitors police frequencies and emergency frequencies.


• Makes criminal history and vehicle information checks.


• Performs a variety of filing, checking, and clerical functions for officers and the general public including accepting payment for bonds.


• Provides complex verbal pre-arrival instructions to callers as well as first responders including but not limited to emergency medical care, location of potential hazards, etc..


• Performs all other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Material and Equipment Used:

• Computer


• Radio Console and associated headset


• General Office Equipment


• Desktop and/or laptop computer along with all related equipment (Including Microsoft Office Suite software – Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint)