Public Safety Communications Officer I

Missoula County; United States; On-site; USD 31,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Missoula County is seeking an entry-level public safety communications trainee for the 9-1-1 Center. The role trains employees to handle emergency and non-emergency calls and to dispatch medical and fire services. Training includes CPR/EMD and ongoing instruction for first responders.

The position requires high school graduation or GED and at least one year of public-facing experience. Work includes days, nights, weekends, and holidays, with equal opportunity employment.

Qualifications

• Requires high school graduation or GED.
• Requires one (1) year experience working in an environment that involved public contact.

Responsibilities

• Performs work involved with 9-1-1 call taking and emergency service dispatching from a communications center.
• Receives telephone calls to 9-1-1 from citizens seeking assistance.
• Gathers information from callers and initiates the appropriate response to information received.
• Prioritizes telephone calls and radio communications concerning emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Records and updates pertinent information in the CAD system and relays to agencies and individuals.
• Monitors and communicates using radio frequencies to dispatch and coordinate activities of emergency service agencies.
• Assists in training new employees and provides documentation of progress for evaluations.
• Performs routine equipment checks and reports failures to technical support staff.

Skills

Public contact experience

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Join Missoula County in making a meaningful impact, where your work supports our vibrant community, promotes public service, and contributes to a better future for all.

Job Description: RATE OF PAY: $27.30 per hour DEPARTMENT: Office of Emergency Management JOB STATUS - Regular, Full-time rotating schedules requires working days, nights, weekends, and holidays BARGAINING UNIT: AFSCME 9-1-1 Unit CLOSING DATE: First round of application reviews and applicant testing will begin on November 16, 2026. Second round of application reviews and applicant testing will begin on November 30, 2026.

DEFINITION:

Performs work involved with 9-1-1 call taking and emergency service dispatching from a communications center. This is an entry level training position for the 9-1-1 Center and is used to train employees to take emergency and non-emergency phone calls, and to dispatch emergency medical and fire services.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:

• Works as part of an effective team to provide public safety emergency communications.
• Receives telephone calls to 9-1-1 from citizens seeking assistance.
• Gathers information from callers and initiates the appropriate response to information received.
• Prioritizes telephone calls, and radio communications from the public and emergency service agencies concerning emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Records and updates pertinent information in the CAD (computer aided dispatch) system and relays information to appropriate agencies and individuals.
• Makes referrals to other community resources.
• Monitors and communicates using radio frequencies, to dispatch and coordinate activities of emergency service fire and medical agencies.
• Receives training and certification in CPR and EMD (Emergency Medical Dispatch) and provides instruction in first aid prior to arrival of first responders.
• Assists in training new employees as assigned by the Training Coordinator and provides documentation of trainees' progress for use in their evaluations.
• Performs routine equipment checks to ensure proper function and reports any failure or malfunction to the technical support staff.
• Maintains and updates records and resources, both hard copy and computerized.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Receives training and certification in law enforcement telecommunication systems, CJIN/NCIC.
• May assist with group tours, school presentations or other public relations events.
• If qualified, may assist with training and certification of 1stAid/CPR and EMD (Emergency Medical Dispatch).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Requires high school graduation or GED.
• Requires one (1) year experience working in an environment that involved public contact.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Employment is subject to a background investigation which is conducted by the Sheriff's Department.
• Successful candidates must pass hearing and drug screening provided by the County.
• Employees must attain and maintain CPR & EMD certification; and CJIN, NCIC and POST certifications as a condition of employment.

PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:

• Requires working rotating shifts ranging from 8 to 12 hours, but not to exceed 14 hours in length; working nights and weekends; and working overtime shifts as needed to provide coverage for a 24/7/365 emergency communications center.
• Requires providing contact information to include primary and alternate contact information for emergency scheduling.
• May require carrying a pager as assigned and serving in an "on call" capacity as assigned.
• Requires exposure to a stressful environment.
• Work is primarily performed in a communications center and requires long periods of sitting at a computer terminal and performing data entry while wearing a headset.
• Some bending, reaching and lifting in the light ranges is involved.
• Requires hearing which falls within normal limits for both pure tones and speech, per audiogram. (An average will be taken of 500, 1000, 2000, 3000HZ. The applicant must have an average threshold of 20dBHL in each ear.)
• May require some travel for training or meetings.

Additional Job Description:

Complete job description available upon request to the Department of Human Resources. As a Missoula County employee, you will be a part of a team that is committed to positively impacting the community.

Missoula County is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or military status At Missoula County, we are proud to serve as a unified team dedicated to protecting and enhancing the well-being of the people, communities, and environment of our region. Whether on the road crew in Seeley Lake, processing payroll or benefits, serving in the Detention Facility or Sheriff's Office, supporting emergency operations, or fulfilling one of the many vital roles that keep county government running--each member of our team plays an essential part. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and schedules-full time, part-time, or intermittent, because every role matters. No matter where you serve or how long you've been with us, you are an important part of the Missoula County team. Together, we strive to build on our strengths and shape a better future for our community. There's no better place to be than Missoula County, Montana.