MDTA Emergency Dispatcher Lead

Maryland Department of Transportation; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Maryland Transportation Authority in Maryland is seeking an Emergency Dispatcher Lead to coordinate law enforcement, fire, and EMS communications. You will prioritize incidents, dispatch responders, and guide lower-level dispatchers while ensuring accurate documentation in CAD and access to CJIS/NCIC systems.

The role requires a high school diploma and 3 years in public safety dispatch; candidates may be assigned to the Baltimore Metro or BWI Airport locations.

Qualifications

• Graduation from a standard high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
• Three years of experience in a police and/or fire dispatch center performing routine and emergency public safety dispatch work using multi-channel radio systems.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and coordinate emergency communications using a multi-channel radio system.
• Dispatch police, fire, and emergency services to incidents and coordinate responses from mutual aid agencies.
• Use the CAD system to ensure accurate receipt and dispatch of calls for service.
• Answer emergency and non-emergency calls for incidents such as accidents and medical emergencies.
• Retrieve and disseminate information from CJIS/NCIC/NLETS/DMV systems to officers on scene.
• Maintain and update records related to warrants, stolen vehicles, and criminal history requests.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

OPEN RECRUITMENT

Open Until Filled

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) owns, operates, and maintains eight major toll facilities comprised of four bridges, two tunnels, and two turnpikes, across the State of Maryland. For over 50 years, the MDTA has provided Maryland's citizens and visitors with safe, secure, and convenient transportation facilities. We are committed to quality and excellence in customer service, and we rely on our organization's values, traditions, and - most importantly - our employees to achieve these goals.

Nature of Work

The MDTA Emergency Dispatcher Lead position is responsible for reviewing, coordinating, transmitting, interpreting, tracking, and recording law enforcement, fire rescue/EMS, traffic management, highway maintenance and administrative information to ensure the safety of emergency response personnel and the traveling public. The incumbent in this position is responsible for prioritizing incidents, dispatching radio calls and operating law enforcement information retrieval systems as well as providing guidance, training and assisting lower-level MDTA Emergency Dispatchers.

The duties and responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Monitor and coordinate emergency communications using a multi-channel radio system;
• Dispatch appropriate police officers, fire and emergency services to emergency incidents, accidents, disabled vehicles, security violations, etc. and coordinate response from other mutual aid agencies;
• Utilize the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system to ensure the effective receipt, accurate documentation and dispatch of all calls for service;
• Answer emergency and non-emergency phone lines for incidents such as accidents, medical emergencies, aircraft emergencies, security violations, fires, disabled vehicles, etc.;
• Utilize and be familiar with the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS), National Crime Information Center (NCIC), National Law Enforcement Teletype System (NLETS), Motor Vehicle Administration, District Court System. Retrieve, interpret and disseminate information to officers on scene;
• Responsible for entering, verifying, removing, updating and editing information regarding warrants, stolen vehicles and tags in the NCIC system; and
• Maintain and record pertinent information in logs, books and computer systems such as criminal history requests and messages received from other agencies.

Employees in this classification receive direct supervision from the Emergency Dispatch Supervisor I or other designated official. Selected candidates may be assigned to work at either the Baltimore Metro or BWI Airport location based upon organizational need. This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies throughout the MDTA.

MDTA employees are offered a generous benefits package including a minimum of 11 paid holidays, a minimum of 27* days of leave annually (personal, vacation, and sick), access to the State Pension System, deferred compensation plans, excellent health, dental, and vision plans, and more! *May be prorated based on start date.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Graduation from a standard high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: Three years of experience in a police and/or fire dispatch center performing routine and emergency public safety dispatch work using multi-channel radio systems and retrieving computerized law enforcement and administrative information.

Your placement on an eligible list may be based solely on the contents of your application; therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information. Please include all relevant experience on your application. This includes but is not limited to, full or part-time, volunteer, military, acting capacity, or any other experience that is relevant to the position you are applying for. If you have held more than one (1) position at the same employer, please list each position that you held and the length of time that you held each position.

NOTE: U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as defined under the Experience Requirement of the Minimum Qualifications may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Licenses & Certifications

Employees will be required to obtain and maintain the following certifications:

• Criminal Justice Information System Certification (CJIS)
• Maryland Electronic Telecommunications Enforcement Resource System (METERS)
• National Crime Information Center (NCIC) System
• Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) Certificate
• Certified Training Officer (CTO)

Employees assigned to the BWI Dispatch Center must also obtain and maintain the following certifications:

• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD)
• Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD)

Special Requirements

1. Applicants will be subject to a medical examination by the State Medical Advisor and an emotional stability and psychological fitness examination which may impact employment.

2. Employees in this safety-sensitive classification may be subject to periodic and/or post-accident drug/alcohol testing in accordance with State regulations on testing for illegal use of drugs and/or prohibited use of alcohol.

3. Candidates will be subject to pre-employment drug testing in accordance with the Transportation Code of Maryland Regulations 11.02.11, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

4. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with the Transportation Code of Maryland Regulations 11.02.11, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

5. This is an emergency essential classification subject to emergency release procedures. Employees in this classification must be willing and available for duty at such hours, day or night and are required to remain or report for duty at such hours as needed to maintain the continuous operation of a detachment.

6. Employees may be subject to emergency recall 24 hours a day and may be required to maintain a reliable communication link at their own expense for the purpose of emergency call back requirements.

7. Employees in this classification are considered "Essential Employees" and shall sign and agree to all policies and procedures relating to "Essential Employee" status. Employees are responsible for transportation to and from the jobsite.

The incumbent in this position may be a member of a covered bargaining unit.

The Maryland Transportation Authority is not sponsoring new employees in the application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa at this time due to budgetary constraints. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Federal regulations prohibit H-1B Visa candidates from paying sponsorship fees, all sponsorship fees must be assumed by the potential employer.

WE ARE AN EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. MDTA does not discriminate based on age, ancestry, color, creed, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religious affiliation, belief or opinion, sex, or sexual orientation.

MDOT has various careers for people of all experiences, backgrounds, and abilities who come together to contribute to one mission - connecting our customers to life's opportunities. Join us in serving our Maryland residents, visitors, and businesses!

Reasonable Accommodations for persons with disabilities will be provided upon request.

Appropriate auxiliary aids and services for qualified individuals with disabilities will be provided upon request. Please notify in advance. MD Relay Service Number 1-800-735-2258 (TTY Number: 711).

Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.

Issue Date: 08/03/2026