DISPATCH CLERK

City of Chicago Department of Law; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Chicago Department of Animal Care & Control seeks a Dispatch Clerk to coordinate animal control services by telephone, radio, and computer systems. You will relay information, prioritize emergencies, and dispatch field units.

The role requires at least 1 year of relevant experience or an Associate’s degree. The position operates on a 7-hour, 5-day schedule at 2741 S. Western Ave., and involves general clerical tasks in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 1 year of work experience relaying information using radio, computer or telephone equipment.
• Associate degree or higher is acceptable in lieu of experience.

Responsibilities

• Receives requests for animal control services and bites via telephone, radio and computer equipment.
• Records and relays pertinent information for timely service.
• Prioritizes emergency requests and routes routine calls to staff.
• Verifies the nature of calls prior to dispatching to field staff.
• Uses a computer tracking system to monitor field units during duty.
• Assists in preparing work schedules of field crews as required.
• Performs general clerical functions (filing, routine reports, supplies).

Skills

Radio communication

Computer literacy

Telephone coordination

Education

Associate's degree or higher

Tools

Computer tracking system

Job description

Job Description - DISPATCH CLERK (416279)

DISPATCH CLERK

Job Number:

416279

BID/JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

DISPATCH CLERK

DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL CARE & CONTROL

Division of Animal Care & Control

Number of Positions: 2

This position is open to the public and all current City employees covered under the City’s collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME – BARGAINING UNIT 1, 3, 4 & 5. Only employees in City job titles in this bargaining unit are eligible to bid.

1. Check the box on your profile titled “Currently employed by the City of Chicago”

2. Enter your employee ID (located on your pay stub labeled ‘payee/employee number’)

3. Select your correct bargaining unit

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL RESULT IN A REJECTED BID APPLICATION

Under supervision, operates radio, computer, and telephone equipment to coordinate personnel and equipment assignments throughout the city.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Receives requests for animal control services and animal bite emergencies via the telephone and radio and personal computer equipment
• Records and relays pertinent information so that services may be rendered in a timely fashion
• Prioritizes emergency requests and routes routine calls to appropriate staff for handling
• Verifies the nature of calls prior to dispatching to field staff
• Operates personal computer equipment to input and close out requests with disposition of rendered services
• Uses a computer tracking system to monitor the location of field units during their scheduled tour of duty
• Assists in preparing work schedules of field crews, as required
• Performs general clerical functions (e.g., maintaining files, preparing routine reports, ordering supplies)

Additional duties may be required for this position

Location: 2741 S. Western Ave.

Days: 7 hours, 5 days per week

Hours: Varies

THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE

Qualifications

One (1) year of work experience in relaying information using radio, computer or telephone equipment

Should the above criteria not be fulfilled, the following options are acceptable:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate’s degree or higher

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires applicants to complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be selected.

APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. The Department of Human Resource staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference for applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio‑Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago in an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.

City of Chicago

Job Posting

Sep 29, 2026, 5:00:00 AM | Closing Date (Period for Applying) - External : Oct 14, 2026, 4:59:00 AM