MDTA Emergency Dispatcher Trainee

Maryland Department of Transportation; Maryland; On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

11 paid holidays

27 days leave annually

State Pension System

Deferred compensation

Health, dental, and vision plans

Job summary

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) is seeking an Emergency Dispatcher Trainee to learn and perform routine and emergency public safety dispatch for Police, Fire/EMS in a state emergency communications center. Training covers radio operations, CAD usage, and information retrieval to support MDTA Officers and airport personnel.

Selected candidates may work at the Baltimore Metro or BWI Airport locations; 12‑month probation applies and shifts may include weekends and nights.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• No prior experience required.

Responsibilities

• Dispatch police, fire and EMS to incidents via multi‑channel radio.
• Use CAD to document calls and coordinate responses.
• Answer emergency and non‑emergency lines and relay critical information.
• Access CJIS/NCIC/NLETS data to support field officers.

Skills

Emergency dispatch

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

CAD

CJIS

NCIC

METERS

PST

Job description

OPEN RECRUITMENT

Open Until Filled

INTERVIEW AND HIRE POSITION

(All eligible candidates will be invited to interview based upon standardized MDTA organizational criteria)

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 Trainee is the trainee level of police dispatching. Employees in this class learn routine and emergency public safety dispatch for Police and Fire/Emergency Medical Service (EMS) in an emergency communications center of the MDTA or BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. Employees learn to receive, review, coordinate, transmit, interpret, track and record law enforcement, fire rescue/EMS, highway maintenance, and general administrative information to ensure the safety of MDTA Police Officers, BWI Fire/Rescue personnel, the traveling public, and MDTA employees. The work involves learning how to operate the 700 MHZ statewide multi-channel radio system, Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), computerized law enforcement and administrative information retrieval, traffic control systems, and mechanical, electrical, visual, computerized, and security and fire monitoring systems.

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

• Monitor, dispatch and receive information, calls from police, fire rescue, maintenance and administrative vehicles over a multi-channel radio;
• 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 the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS), National Crime Information Center (NCIC), National Law Enforcement Teletype System (NLETS), Motor Vehicle Administration, District Court System and criminal records information to retrieve, interpret and disseminate criminal history to officers on scene;
• Verify, remove, update, and edit 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 receive supervision from an MDTA Emergency Dispatcher Supervisor or other designated supervisor. Selected candidates may be assigned to work at either the Baltimore Metro or BWI Airport location based upon organizational need.

This position will serve a 12-month probationary period.

Employees in this classification may be required to work permanent or rotating shifts, weekends, holidays and extended hours. Work assignments may be performed at any of the Communications Centers within the State, requiring that employees provide their own transportation to one or multi-job sites.

Benefits:

• 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 upon start date.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of high school equivalency certificate.

Experience

None.

Consideration for employment 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.

Notes:

1. MDTA Emergency Dispatcher Trainee employees will undergo training through the MDTA Communications Division Training Program.
2. 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)
3. 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)

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 are 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 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 H1B 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 disability 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: 07/24/2026