Emergency Communications Specialists

NENA; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 47,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

Jeffcom is seeking an Emergency Communications Specialist to operate dispatch equipment and answer calls for multiple agencies in Jefferson County. You will enter information into CAD, provide pre-arrival instructions, and dispatch police, medical, and fire resources as needed.

The role requires high attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, 24/7 environment with potential overtime.

Qualifications

• Must possess high school diploma or equivalent.
• Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certification and other listed certs required within six months.

Responsibilities

• Receive and process 911, emergency, and non-emergency calls for multiple agencies.
• Answer, evaluate, and prioritize requests for service using CAD and radio systems.
• Provide pre-arrival instructions per IAED protocols.

Skills

Communication

Multitasking

Calm under pressure

Data entry

Education

High school diploma

EMD Certification

CPR Certification

NCIC/CCIC certification

Tools

CAD system

TDD

Two-way radio

Computer terminals

Job description

Accepting Applications from 9/18/2026 - 10/10/2026

Pay Range: $33.94 - $45.98 hourly

Academy start date: 01/05/2027

Position

Emergency Communications Specialist

Reports To

Communications Supervisor

Vision Statement

Connecting Lives, Surpassing Expectations

Core Values

Compassion, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, Unity, Accountability, Adaptability.

Position Summary

This position operates communications equipment to efficiently and appropriately answer emergency and non-emergency calls, enter pertinent and accurate information into the computer aided dispatch (CAD) system, provide pre-arrival instructions to callers, dispatch personnel and equipment, manage calls for service and other activity for multiple radio channels in a 24/7/365 communications center.

Supervision Received

Works under the general supervision of an assigned Communications Supervisor.

Supervision Exercised

None

Essential Duties, Functions and Responsibilities

(The duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed, and are in no way construed or perceived to be exhaustive. The employee may also be required to perform additional functions and duties as assigned.)

• Receive and process 911, emergency, and non-emergency calls for multiple police, fire, and other agencies in Jefferson County in compliance with agency expectations.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Jeffcom’s rules, policies and procedures included in Jeffcom’s Personnel Rules, Policy Manual, and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Answer, evaluate, and prioritize incoming calls and digital requests for service, communicating effectively with citizens to obtain complete and accurate information to determine urgency and need for dispatching emergency response units using a computer aided dispatch (CAD) system, telephones, multi-channel radio, TDD (text telephone device for hearing/speech impaired), and supporting software applications and systems.
• Accurately and consistently dispatch the appropriate police, medical, fire, or other emergency response resources, track the status and location of each, transmit messages and information to response units, and support requests from emergency responders.
• Provide pre-arrival emergency police, medical, and fire instructions to callers, including use of International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) and Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD) protocols.
• Ready/not ready status must be in compliance with agency expectations.
• Quality assurance scores must be in compliance with agency expectations.
• Maintain accurate and complete logs and records of communications.
• Maintain positive and professional written and verbal communication skills at all times.
• Consistently provide excellent customer service to all citizens and emergency responders.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times for citizens, emergency responders, and employees, including Protected Health Information (“PHI”) as defined under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) in a sensitive, information-rich environment.
• Promote a positive, professional image of Jeffcom at all times.
• Participate in public education events as scheduled.
• Complete job-related training and continuing education as assigned and required.
• Reliable, predictable attendance is required. On call status may be required.
• Work in excess of ten (10) hours per day and 40 hours a week, to include days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays to maintain 24-hour coverage of Jeffcom’ s emergency dispatch center. This requires personnel to make themselves available to work when required, particularly in times of disasters or serious emergencies.
• Work mandatory overtime as required.
• Expected to engage in ongoing education and attend training to maintain and expand skills and knowledge.
• Ability to understand and utilize telephone, dispatch, radio, and computer network systems.
• Ability to accurately type a minimum of forty words per minute while entering data or information relayed over the phone, radio, or other audio and electronic data input into a terminal, computer system, or other device linked to Jeffcom’ s CAD system.
• Ability to operate two-way multi-channel radio system with multiple frequencies, distinguishing a variety of radio voice transmissions, and a CAD workstation consisting of a telephone system, radio, and a computer terminal with multiple monitors.
• Ability to memorize, retain, and accurately recall information and codes; multi-task, organize, prioritize and adapt to constantly changing situations, and effectively take appropriate action; perform detailed work with a high degree of accuracy, at times during stressful situations; understand various transmissions (telephone, radio, etc.) and transcribe information (numbers, letters, names and facts) from one source to another quickly and accurately.
• At all times, ability to consistently remain calm and effective, even during times of heavy workloads, exercise critical thinking, to include sound judgment and decision making, prioritize emergent and non-emergent situations, and obtain and act on information quickly and accurately.
• Ability to communicate effectively with citizens, emergency responders, and team members.
• Ability to understand and execute complex verbal and written instructions, policies and procedures.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations for citizens, emergency responders, and other Jeffcom employees.
• Illicit drug and marijuana use is prohibited even if medically prescribed.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously while remaining detail-oriented.
• Ability to communicate with others and understand information in a manner consistent with the essential job functions.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand the English language at a level adequate to perform the duties of the position.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education, License and Certification Requirements

• Possess high school diploma or equivalent.
• Possess, or obtain within six (6) months of hire, and maintain Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD), CPR, Emergency Fire Dispatcher (EFD), and National Crime Information Center (NCIC)/Colorado Crime Information Center CCIC certifications. Other certifications may be required during employment.
• Ability to obtain CCIC/NCIC certification within six months of accepting position. This includes being able to pass a background check.
• Pursue professional continuing education opportunities. The following certifications are provided as examples; however, they are not all inclusive.

Instructor Certification (software, etc.)

• APCO development courses
• NENA development courses
• FEMA
• PSTC
• FEMA Professional Development Series
• NENA ENP (Emergency Number Professional)
• APCO RPL (Registered Public Safety Leader)
• NENA CMCP (Communications Manager Certification Program)
• Leadership certification or training
• Communications Center Supervisor Training

Physical Demands

Lifting and Carrying: Ability to move 15- to 20- pound items from one location to another, such as boxes of paper, department manuals, resource books, equipment, etc.

Body Positions

Must be able to sit at dispatcher work station and work radio controls, telephones, and computer keyboards during a typical scheduled shift with the ability to change from sitting to standing as needed. Must be able to navigate around Communications Center. Must have the manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, radio system, telephone, foot pedals and other relevant equipment. Some twisting, bending, stooping may be required. Must have the ability to coordinate movements of two or more limbs at the same time, e.g., while operating telephone and/or radio and foot pedal control and typing information into console controls.

Hearing

Employee must be able to hear the phone and audible signals from equipment at a level that does not interfere with coworkers’ ability to hear at their work stations. Hearing must be sufficient to use telephone and radio headset. Must have the ability to actively listen to callers for an understanding of their needs and situations. Must have the ability to understand English spoken in a variety of accents. Must have the ability to focus on multiple sources of auditory (hearing) information in the presence of other distracting noises. Must be able to detect and discriminate among sounds that vary in a broad range of pitch and loudness.

Vision

Visual acuity correctable sufficient to read computer screens and discern information, enter data, read Jeffcom documents, other correspondence, and read and interpret maps. Ability to distinguish between the colors red and green in order to properly utilize computerized equipment.

Mental Requirements

Information Retention

Must be able to read, retain and apply policies, procedures, criminal laws and ordinances, as well as recall numerous details of calls received.

Language Ability

Must be able to speak English clearly and concisely to communicate with callers, emergency responders, and co-workers.

Reasoning

Ability to utilize sound judgement and solve problems through critical thinking, decision-making, and prioritization in a time-sensitive and dynamic environment.

Work Environment and General Information

Work in a restricted access area, typical office environment with other staff speaking on phones and radios in a communications center. Work is often demanding in a fast-paced environment; position confinement and emergency crises may prohibit breaks and/or require employee to work unscheduled overtime. Frequent interaction with public, government jurisdictions, members of private industry, and other Jeffcom employees. Work under general supervision with supervisor availability to resolve unusual or complex work problems.

ADA Compliance Statement

The human resources goal of Jeffcom is to select and retain the best qualified applicant for each available job. An applicant’s or employee’s disability will not remove the application from consideration or current employee from his/her job if the applicant or employee is able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation unless such accommodation will result in undue hardship for Jeffcom or pose a safety risk to the applicant, employee, or others.

Jeffcom complies with the American with Disabilities Act. If you require special accommodation in order to apply for this position, please contact the Human Resources Manager.