Police Dispatcher - Denver 9-1-1

City and County of Denver; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 43,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

City and County of Denver’s 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Agency is seeking qualified 9-1-1 Police Dispatchers to manage emergency and non-emergency calls, relay information to first responders, and coordinate with Denver Police, Fire, and EMS. The role requires handling high-stress situations, rigorous shift work, and knowledge of CAD, NCIC/CCIC systems, with training provided.

Ideal candidates demonstrate excellent communication, multitasking, and decision-making under pressure, plus

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• 1 year experience in emergency service dispatch or related high-volume public contact.
• CPR and EMD certifications required by end of academy/training.
• Bilingual abilities beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Receive and process emergency and non-emergency calls via phone and radio.
• Dispatch police units while prioritizing safety.
• Monitor field unit activity and provide critical information.
• Use CAD to log and relay real-time data.
• Maintain communication with officers and coordinate with other responders.

Skills

Communication

Multitasking

Critical thinking

Emotional resilience

Technical proficiency

Geographical knowledge

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Background in dispatch

Bilingual

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

CAD systems

Multi-line phone systems

Radio operations

Job description

About Our Job

This application is for the February 22, 2027 Police Dispatcher Academy.

Denver’s 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Agency is staffed by trained public safety professionals who handle both emergency and non-emergency calls, as well as dispatch police, fire, and paramedic resources. The 9-1-1 team works closely with Denver Police, Denver Fire, and Denver Health Paramedics to ensure the safety and well-being of residents, businesses, and visitors in the City and County of Denver.

The City and County of Denver’s 9-1-1 Communications Center is seeking highly motivated and detail-oriented individuals to serve as 9-1-1 Police Dispatchers. Police Dispatchers manage high-stress situations to support Denver Police Officers by entering information into the Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and relaying it to first responders, which will be primarily through direct radio communication. They perform computer clearances and searches using systems like the National Crime Information System (NCIC), the Colorado Crime Information System (CCIC) and City and County of Denver court files. Dispatchers are expected to support the Denver Police Department’s needs during both planned and unplanned events.

The Denver 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Agency is a 24-hour, seven days a week operation, therefore, applicants must be able to work the following:

• 8, or 12-hour shifts.
• Day, Swing and Graveyard shifts.
• Weekends, holidays, and overtime on short notice.

Shift Differential Incentives:

• Swing shift (3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.) receives an additional 7% above the current hourly rate of pay.
• Graveyard shift (11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.) receives an additional 12% above the current hourly rate of pay.

Primary Communication Center: 12025 E 45th Ave, Denver, CO 80239

Back-up Communication Center: 950 Josephine St, Denver, CO 80206

Job Responsibilities will include:

• Receiving and processing emergency and non-emergency calls via phone and radio for police services.
• Dispatching police units to incidents while prioritizing officer and public safety.
• Monitoring and tracking field unit activity, responding to requests and providing critical information.
• Use computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems to log and relay real-time information accurately.
• Maintaining constant communication with officers, providing updates and support as needed.
• Assess emergency situations quickly to determine appropriate response levels.
• Follow department protocols and procedures while maintaining confidentiality.
• Work closely with fire, EMS, and other emergency services when coordination is required.

Our ideal candidate will have:

• Excellent Communication: Ability to relay clear and concise information over radio and telephone.
• Strong Multitasking Abilities: Comfortable managing multiple calls and dispatching officers simultaneously.
• Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving: Ability to assess situations and make quick, sound decisions. Understands officer safety concerns and the dynamics of high-risk incidents.
• Emotional Resilience: Ability to remain calm under pressure, especially during high-stress or life-threatening situations.
• Technical Proficiency: Skilled in learning and using various computer systems and software, including new technologies. Previous experience with dispatch software, multi-line phone systems, and radio operations.
• Geographical Knowledge: Familiarity with the City and County of Denver’s streets, landmarks, and locations.
• Attention to Detail: Accurately document events, caller information, and unit activity.
• Team-Oriented Mindset: Work collaboratively with fellow dispatchers, call takers, and first responders.
• Background: One (1) year experience working in an emergency service dispatching position.
• Other Skills: Bilingual

Below are the minimum requirements used to determine eligibility for this position:

• Education requirement: Graduation from high school or the possession of a GED, HiSET or TASC Certificate.
• Experience Requirement: One (1) year of experience as a 911 Operator or Emergency Dispatcher.-OR-Two (2) years of experience in public contact over the phone/in-person.-OR-One (1) year of high volume call-center/general-dispatching experience.-OR-One (1) year of experience as a paramedic on an emergency ambulance (not an air ambulance) or as a fire fighter, police officer, or military police officer.
• Education/Experience Equivalency: Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements.
• License/Certifications: Requires a CPR Certification before the end of academy training and successfully recertification as required by the National Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch during the employment.
• Requires an EMD Certification issued by NAED before the end of academy training and successfully recertification as required by the National Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch.
• Must pass an initial pre-security clearance screening and maintain CBI (Colorado Bureau of Investigation) certification as a condition of employment. Must take and pass some online test every two years to maintain certification.
• Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment.

About Everything Else

Job Profile

CN2574 911 Police Dispatcher

To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here.

Position Type

Unlimited

Position Salary Range

$31.33 - $48.56

Target Pay

Based on education and experience

Agency

Emergency Communications

Redeployment during Citywide Emergencies

City and County of Denver employees may be re-deployed to work in other capacities in their own agencies or in other city agencies to support core functions of the city during a citywide emergency declared by the Mayor.

The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.

It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact [e-mail] with three business days’ notice.

Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.

For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish.