Emergency Communications Dispatcher

City of Fort Collins; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 76,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Vacation & paid holidays

Retirement plan with city contribution

Wellness program

Job summary

The City of Fort Collins is seeking an Emergency Communications Dispatcher for the Police Information Services department. This full-time, non-exempt position supports the 9-1-1 center and coordinates dispatch for police, fire, medical, and other units.

Starting salary ranges from $75,759 to $103,126, with potential higher levels for experienced candidates. Remote or hybrid work is limited to Colorado state residents; relocation not specified. Applications due by 9/16/2026.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Three years of successful work experience in any field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to type at least 40 WPM and use word processing programs.
• Ability to handle high-stress emergency situations.

Responsibilities

• Prioritizes all incoming emergency and non-emergency calls and determines appropriate priority or response.
• Performs crisis intervention with distraught callers during high-risk situations until appropriate emergency field units arrive on scene.
• Questions caller to determine nature of problem, priority and jurisdiction of call, and determines type and number of personnel and equipment needed.
• Scans status charts and computer screens to determine units available and their locations.
• May operate multi-channel radio to dispatch police, fire, medical and other personnel and equipment and relay instructions or information to first responders.
• Provides pre-arrival instructions to caller such as emergency medical information.
• Provides information and referrals to citizens and other law enforcement and emergency agencies.
• Monitors security cameras and CAD screens; updates and relays information to responders.

Skills

Typing 40 wpm

High-stress handling

Multitasking

Radio dispatch

Crisis intervention

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Automated office equipment

Job description

POSITION TITLE: Emergency Communications Dispatcher (Full-Time Regular) (Classified)

REQUISITION #: req8584

DEPARTMENT: Police Information Services

LOCATION: POLICE BUILDING

BENEFIT CATEGORY: Police (CBU) Police and Collective Bargaining Unit Benefit Highlights

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time Regular

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

ANNUAL SALARY RANGE: $75,759.00 - 103,126.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)

With no experience, starting annual salary is Level 1 ($75,759.00). With prior experience in a 911 communication center, successful applicants may be hired as a level 2 Dispatcher ($80,304.00) or Level 3 Dispatcher ($84,473.00).

SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 11:59 p.m. MT on 9/16/2026 .

At the City, we are focused on finding the strongest candidate for the role, and we recognize that excellence can come from a wide variety of experiences and paths. When reviewing applications, we consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and lived experiences that align with the minimum qualifications. If you are interested in this opportunity, we encourage you to view your background broadly and highlight the skills and experiences that best prepare you for the role.

The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile.

Background check & Motor vehicle report required. Drug test within 96 hours of offer

While the City of Fort Collins offers many remote and/or hybrid positions, all remote or hybrid work must be performed in the state of Colorado.

Why Work For the City of Fort Collins?

• Medical, dental, vision (for self, spouse, domestic partner, children) – eligible on the 1st of the month following date of hire
• Paid vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, and additional one-time bank of 40 PTO hours for new, full-time, Classified and Unclassified Management hires
• Retirement + company contributions – after 6 month probation period and immediate vesting
• Flexible spending: Medical expenses FSA, dependent FSA or both
• Employee Assistance Program: counseling, legal, financial assistance
• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability
• Wellness program, workout facilities
• Employee/family onsite health clinic
• Learning and development opportunities at all levels in the organization with opportunities for career mobility
• Collaborative work environment

Job Summary

Work related to supporting the day-to-day operations of a 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Center.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Prioritizes all incoming emergency and non-emergency calls and determines appropriate priority or response.
• Performs crisis intervention with distraught callers during high-risk situation until appropriate emergency field units arrive on scene.
• Questions caller to determine nature of problem, priority and jurisdiction of call, and determines type and number of personnel and equipment needed.
• Scans status charts and computer screens to determine units available and their locations.
• May operate multi-channel radio to dispatch police, fire, medical and other personnel and equipment and to relay instructions or information to first responders.
• Provides pre-arrival instructions to caller such as emergency medical information.
• May provide information to police officers such as criminal histories and warrant confirmation.
• Entires, retrieves, and updates information into the state and national crime computer systems such as stolen property, runaways and warrants.
• Performs various clerical duties such as delivering mail and messages and updating files.
• Provides information and referrals to citizens and other law enforcement and emergency agencies.
• Monitors periodically throughout the shift, or upon an officer’s request, a bank of TV monitors to view CAD, security cameras, television channels and internet sites; monitors and opens security gates and doors throughout the building throughout a shift.
• May train new emergency services dispatchers.
• Other assigned duties as necessary.

Management Responsibilities

No

City Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.

Required Knowledge Skills And Abilities

• Ability to type a minimum of 40 wpm and use word processing computer programs.
• Ability to handle high stress and emergency situations.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to read maps and provide directions.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers.
• Ability to define problems, collect data quickly and accurately, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to transmit facts calmly and concisely over the radio and telephone.
• Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated office machines, which includes computers and copier.
• Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagrammatic form.
• Ability to differentiate between colors and shades of colors.
• Ability to talk and/or hear (talking- expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing- perceiving nature of sounds by ear).
• Ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using automated office equipment.
• Ability to work shifts and overtime shifts.

Required Education

Minimum High school diploma or general education degree (GED).

Experience Requirements

• Three (3) years of successful work experience in any field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call [phone] for assistance.

The City is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Employment decisions will comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. The City does not tolerate behavior that results in the terms and conditions of employment being adversely impacted based on an employee’s protected status, or any behavior that violates this policy.

Consistent with the City’s respect for the rights and dignity of each employee, the City is committed to providing a work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. The City prohibits discrimination or harassment based on protected characteristics, including race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, military, veteran status or uniformed service member status, genetic information, marital status or any other status protected under federal, state or local law.

The City is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment. In addition to the City’s commitment to equal opportunity employment, the City strictly prohibits discrimination or retaliation against an employee who raises any reasonable concern about workplace violations of government health or safety rules or a significant threat to the health or safety of City employees or the public, if the City controls the workplace conditions giving rise to the threat or violation.

Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.