Public Safety Telecommunicator - Entry Level

Town of Oro Valley; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits program

Job summary

Town of Oro Valley seeks a Public Safety Telecommunicator to act as the critical link between the public and emergency services. You will handle 911 and non-emergency requests, triage calls, and coordinate responses to high‑risk situations.

The role requires independence, resilience in a high‑stress environment, and rotating shifts to maintain a 24/7 operation. Responsibilities include operating CAD/GIS workstation, logging activity, and maintaining confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Requires a high school diploma or GED and the ability to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Completes background investigation.
• Must obtain and maintain CJIS related licenses/certifications within six months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Receives and responds to emergency and non-emergency calls via telephone and radio systems.
• Evaluates information, prioritizes calls, and dispatches required units.
• Monitors police unit activity and coordinates with field units.
• Maintains logs and handles sensitive data with confidentiality.
• May assist in training and evaluating trainees.

Skills

Emergency dispatch knowledge

CAD systems

GIS familiarity

Decision making under stress

Interpersonal communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

CJIS Security Training

Basic Telecommunicator Course

CJIS Terminal Operator Certificate

Tools

CAD software

GIS software

Job description

Position Summary

This critical role serves as the vital communications link between the public needing help and emergency services response. As members of the public safety ecosystem, Public Safety Telecommunicators are typically the first point of contact when a person reaches out for help. This entails a candidate to be able to work independently in a high-stress environment while receiving and evaluating incoming emergency and administrative requests for emergency services; triaging those requests for service; providing guidance and assistance to the public in life‑safety situations; and coordinating appropriate responses to high‑risk, high‑stress operations, with the objective of keeping all participants safe.

This position is skilled emergency service work that involves receiving emergency 911 and non-emergency requests for police assistance, determining nature/urgency of calls, initiating police or other emergency personnel action and maintaining close contact with field units to monitor response and needed support requirements.

The position of Public Safety Telecommunicator requires a considerable degree of initiative and independent judgment within procedural boundaries in responding to emotional, disturbed and sometimes abusive people in a variety of situations. Work may be done separately or in conjunction with other Public Safety Telecommunicators. Public Safety Telecommunicators may assist in training, teaching and basic operational equipment management. The position of Public Safety Telecommunicator requires rotating shift assignments and overtime in accordance with maintaining a fully operational 24 hour facility.

DISQUALIFICATION STANDARDS

• Participation in any serious crime, or any behavior, which OVPD, in its sole discretion, deems serious or inappropriate.
• Any misdemeanor conviction involving narcotics, drugs, marijuana which OVPD in its sole discretion deems serious, excessive or inappropriate.
• Since the age of 18, not have been convicted of domestic violence.
• Any illegal use of opiate narcotics, hallucinogens, and/or other dangerous drugs ( Includes LSD, PCP, Peyote, Mescaline, Codeine, heroin, morphine, opium, psilocybin, cocaine, hash, speed, "X" or Ecstasy, barbiturates, etc.) which OVPD in its sole discretion deems serious, excessive or inappropriate.
• Any history of disregard for traffic laws with such frequency so as to indicate disrespect for traffic laws and a disregard for the safety of other persons on the highway.
• Negligence in maintaining financial responsibility.
• Failure to follow Application & Background instructions.

Essential Functions

• Receives and responds to emergency and non-emergency calls including enhanced 911, and non-emergency calls from the public, dispatchers, and law enforcement agencies via telephone and radio systems and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems.
• Processes and evaluates information received, prioritizes calls and dispatches required units and/or agencies.
• Monitors and coordinates police unit activity and assignments via police radio frequencies.
• Maintains status and locations of public safety personnel.
• Operates a sophisticated workstation comprised of multiple computer systems, computer-aided dispatch (CAD) software and geographical information systems (GIS), state and federal clearinghouses, call handling including teletypewriter (TTY) and text-to-911 sessions, as well as communications systems such as radio dispatch consoles and recording systems.
• Creates and maintains automated or manual logs of public safety communications activity.
• Accesses and enters sensitive data in local/state/national databases as necessary for investigative purposes.
• Enters and maintains files for persons or property pending apprehension/recovery.
• Maintains appropriate security and confidentiality of information created or encountered in the performance of assigned duties.
• Keeps informed of departmental regulations, policies and procedures.
• May assist in providing on-the-job training for Public Safety Telecommunicators and submit progress reports and evaluations on trainees.

Essential Knowledge And Skills

• Knowledge of applicable Town, state and Federal statutes, rules, ordinances, codes, regulations governing dispatching.
• Knowledge of Town and Department policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of law enforcement records keeping activities and techniques.
• Ability to operate computers and related communication equipment utilizing a variety of software and operating systems/applications.
• Skill in quick decision making and correcting emergency situations.
• Skill in assessing, analyzing, identifying and implementing solutions to complex problems.
• Ability to follow verbal and written communication.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Minimum Qualifications

• A high school diploma or GED.
• Must be 18 years or older.
• Successfully complete background investigation.
• Must be able to work on a rotating schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays to ensure 24/7 coverage.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain the following licenses and certifications within six months of hire date.
• Basic Telecommunicator Course
• Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Training
• CJIS Terminal Operator Certificate

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is performed in an indoor environment.

The Town of Oro Valley is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The Town does not discriminate in the provision of employment opportunities, benefits or privileges; create discriminatory work conditions; or use discriminatory evaluative standards in employment if the basis of that discriminatory treatment is, in whole or in part, the person's race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability status, gender, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, genetic information or marital status.

Why Apply

Oro Valley is a planned community cradled in the shadows of the magnificent Santa Catalina Mountains, with hiking trails through Catalina State Park, hiking and bicycle trails throughout the Town, world‑class golf courses, horseback riding and a long‑valued cultural tradition, vibrant for over a thousand years. Oro Valley has received many accolades through the years and is proud to have been named: Best Places to Live in Arizona, Best Towns for Families and Best Places in America to Live and Launch a Small Business.

Oro Valley is located in northern Pima County, just three miles north of Tucson, and a quick drive to the University of Arizona and Tucson International Airport. With average high temperatures of 83.4 degrees, average lows of 53.8 degrees, the town sits at an elevation of 2,640 feet, covers more than 34 square miles and has a current population of 41,011. Oro Valley was incorporated in April, 1974. Oro Valley is also quickly developing a strong reputation as home to the emerging bioscience and biotech industries. We are a young, diverse, dynamic community with a responsive government and our schools are among the finest in Arizona.

The Town of Oro Valley has a council/manager form of government. Six council members and the mayor are elected for four‑year terms. The town manager is appointed by town council. The Town of Oro Valley provides high‑quality services including: police, planning, zoning, construction, inspection, transit services, traffic engineering, street maintenance, storm water management, flood control, water utility, parks, recreation, aquatics, library, cultural resources, economic development, constituent services, community and media relations, budget development, debt and investment management, attorney services, magistrate court and more.

Town of Oro Valley currently has a benefits program that is currently offered to employees of the Town who work 20 or more hours per week on a regular basis. (Part‑time employees working at least 20 hours per week may qualify for participation in the individual plans, dependent upon the specific terms of coverage.)

Town of Oro Valley Benefits Guide 2026/2027