Public Safety Dispatcher
City-of-Ames,-I
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
The City of Ames is seeking a Public Safety Dispatcher within the Ames Police Department. The dispatcher operates a complex communications system, handling emergency and non-emergency calls and directing police, fire, and EMS resources in urgent situations.
The work is in a 24/7/365 environment with shift assignments and occasional mandatory overtime; certification requirements and eligibility are described in the posting. Benefits and PSLF program details are provided.
Qualifications
- Successful completion of high school, HiSet, or G.E.D.
- Two years of relevant work experience or related college coursework may be preferred.
Responsibilities
- Answers emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
- Receives and relays messages to appropriate personnel.
- Directs requests for assistance to police, fire, and EMS.
- Prioritizes calls and dispatches resources per procedures.
- Maintains radio console operations and logs.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
The City of Ames is looking to fill at least one position as Public Safety Dispatcher, within the Police Department. A Public Safety Dispatcher with the Ames Police Department performs work involved in the operation of a complex communications system; receives and handles both emergency and non-emergency communications from a wide range of sources; dispatches appropriate services, personnel, and and/or equipment in response to police, fire, or medical emergencies; and performs other related work as required. The work for this position is within a 24/7/365 environment and is subject to shift assignment and creates occasional mandatory overtime.
The starting annual salary for this position is $57,147 ($27.4745 per hour) as of July 1, 2026. Specified months of City of Ames Dispatcher service are applied in step increases to salary, per the PPME bargaining agreement. The current steps are outlined below:
- 0-18 $57,147
- 19-36 $59,903
- 37 & up $69,239
Anyone who begins employment from this recruitment shall receive a hiring wage incentive to equal $1000.
- 50% upon hire
- 25% after 6 months of employment
- 25% after probationary period ends or 12 months of employment (whichever is later)
Our comprehensive benefits package can be viewed at: City of Ames Benefits.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer.
Please see the Residency Requirement MAP outlining in turquoise the living area boundaries required for Police Boundary or Public, Professional and Maintenance Employees Local 2003 (PPME) bargaining unit agreement for this merit position.
- Conducts in depth research by utilizing multiple various resources.
- Answers emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
- Receives and relays messages to appropriate personnel.
- Directs requests for assistance for police, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS) to the appropriate agency.
- Prioritizes calls for service and dispatches appropriate resources in accordance with established operating procedures.
- Provides emergency medical instruction.
- Operates radio console by receiving and transmitting radio communications.
- Maintains contact with units at all times during shift assignment.
- Maintains a continuous record of the status of mobile units, manual/automated logs, and records, including a log of all information received and transmitted.
- Sends/receives computer terminal messages and routes messages to appropriate destinations.
- Monitors cameras, alarms, and City Hall doors in case of required emergency lockdown.
- Works with other Police divisions, such as Animal Control and Records, and all other City of Ames departments.
- Operates other equipment essential to the position.
- Regularly exposed to sensitive and confidential information that cannot be discussed or shared outside the workplace.
- Act as essential emergency personnel and are required to come to work in disaster and bad weather situations.
Each employee is expected to continually strive to bring shared values to life through our Excellence Through People organizational culture. ETP values include: committing to continuous improvement; inspiring creativity and innovation; being customer driven; making data-driven decisions; championing employee involvement; striving for excellence; having fiscal stewardship; acting with honesty and integrity; exhibiting leadership; choosing a positive attitude; respect and dignity for one another; promoting safety and wellness; and cultivating teamwork. For leaders, this includes creating a work culture that brings these values to life. For all employees, this includes maintaining a Total City Perspective. The purpose of ETP is to deliver exceptional services to the public at the best price, and for employees to experience an enjoyable and stimulating work environment.
Successful completion of high school, HiSet, or G.E.D. is required.
Applicants with related college coursework and/or two years relevant work experience, including working in a team environment while maintaining effective working relationships within fast paced ever changing environments, may be preferred.
Must obtain IOWA/NCIC, CPR, and Emergency Medical Dispatching certifications within six months of appointment and re-certify as required. Must attend and successfully complete the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy 40-hour training course within one year of appointment.
Must be able to maintain confidentiality with regard to work. Must be able to work in customer-oriented environment and demonstrate customer service principles, including exercising skill in responding to difficult customers. Must have high level of accuracy with work product. Must be reliable and able to adapt to shift work.
- Knowledge of computer aided dispatching software.
- Knowledge of emergency medical dispatching protocols.
- Knowledge of the location of streets in Ames.
- Knowledge of rules governing proper usage of state/federal software applications.
- Knowledge of the rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission covering the operation of radio receivers and transmitters.
- Knowledge of the proper use and care of essential dispatcher equipment.
- Skill in entering data quickly and accurately using a computer keyboard.
- Skill in receiving and transmitting information quickly and accurately using a radio console and telephone.
- Skill in communicating with members of the public and department staff both orally and in writing in a professional, clear, and concise manner at all times.
- Skill in problem solving and troubleshooting when system errors and process interruptions arise.
- Ability to work in a team environment and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, personnel from other agencies and departments, and the general public.
- Ability to be amicable with various communication styles and system switches/upgrades within an ever changing fast paced work environment.
- Ability to stay calm and logically think/act through processes and procedures.
- Ability to work and problem-solve quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
- Ability to receive and comprehend multiple conversations simultaneously by telephone and radio while operating dispatch software.
- Ability to multitask.
- Ability to operate complex Public Safety related computer systems.
- Ability to document and record events in a clear, complete, legible, and objective manner.
- Ability to operate equipment common to a complex communications system.
- Ability to speak clearly and concisely.
- Ability to handle situations firmly, courteously, and tactfully.
- Ability to adapt to varied working hours.
Stooping, reaching, finger dexterity, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
Work is primarily sitting at a communication workstation requiring the exertion of negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Requires exertion of up to 10 pounds of force frequently and 25 to 50 pounds of force infrequently.
The minimum standard for vision is equivalent to those whose work deals largely with preparing and analyzing data and figures, accounting, transcription, computer terminal, and extensive reading. The minimum requirement for hearing is the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, or to make fine discrimination in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts.
The work is performed inside and may include being exposed to confined spaces, limited ventilation, and variable lighting conditions. Employees must be able to concentrate in an environment of noise and distraction.
Multi-line telephone, radio console, mapping software, copy machine, fax machine, pager, equipment for communicating with the hearing impaired, recorders, microphone, headset; computers, peripheral equipment, and software (such as "text to 911"); various operational manuals (both electronic and printed).
The work for this position is within a 24/7/365 environment and is subject to shift assignment and creates occasional mandatory overtime.
All employees governed by the PPME contract (which includes Public Safety Dispatchers) are required to reside within an area bordered by State Highway 65 on the east; and on the west, County Road R27 north of Boone and the Des Moines River south of Highway 30 on the west, Story County line on the north, and Polk County Road F-22 on the south. Communities intersected by the borderlines shall be considered within the area. For further details of what area this includes, please view the Ames Employee Residency Map link here: MAP.
The selection process consists of an evaluation of education/experience; a preliminary background check; a written exam; simulation testing; a behavioral assessment; oral board interview, Chief's Interview, job shadowing, reference check, an extensive background investigation (including criminal history, financial and employment verification), psychological exam (MMPI) and physical exam (including a drug test). Candidates must successfully pass each component to continue in the process.
All candidates will be notified by email of their application status.
Preference may be given to applicants possessing qualifications above the minimum.
Written exam is set for September 8, 2026, with Criticall testing to follow on September 9-10, 2026 for those who pass the written exam.
Interviews will commence the following week after Criticall testing for candidates with passing scores.
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