Telecommunicator I - Entry Level
City of Champaign
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Job summary
The City of Champaign seeks a Telecommunicator I for METCAD 9-1-1 to answer emergency and non-emergency calls and provide rapid dispatch for police, fire, and ambulance services in Champaign County. This full-time, on-site role requires composure under pressure and the ability to work in a fast-paced, high-stress environment.
Starting pay is $29.8905 per hour ($73,051 annually) with an hourly range of $29.8905–$36.3961, plus scheduled overtime and a demanding but rewarding schedule.
Qualifications
- Must be 18 years or older by date of hire.
- U.S. Citizen, or legally authorized to work in the United States.
- High School diploma, or equivalent, by date of hire.
- Ability to work assigned shifts and overtime, including weekends, holidays, and nights.
- Ability to acquire mandated certifications during training.
Responsibilities
- Answer emergency and non-emergency phone calls and provide routine and emergency dispatch for local police, fire and ambulance services.
- Respond to information received via radio, telephone, and computer in a high‑stress environment.
Skills
Education
Job description
Hourly Salary Range: $29.8905 - $36.3961
Starting Salary: $29.8905 per hour or $73,051 per year.
Schedule: 12-hour shift scheduled with shift changes at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Schedule includes scheduled overtime hours with 60 hours one week and 24 hours the following week with alternating weekends off. Schedule details will be provided at the mandatory information session noted below.
METCAD 9-1-1 is opening an active recruitment for the position of Telecommunicator I (Emergency Dispatcher) at METCAD 9-1-1. This is a unique and rewarding opportunity to provide critical and often lifesaving community service to the residents and visitors of Champaign County. The position of Telecommunicator requires the special ability to work in an agile, constantly evolving, high-stress environment while providing calm and caring response to calls for assistance. Experience the daily satisfaction of assisting people that call 911 for help.
In 2025, METCAD answered 249,173 calls including 97,82 emergency and 151,352 non-emergency calls and dispatched 139,346 of those calls to 24 police and/or fire departments in Champaign County.
This position answers emergency and non-emergency phone calls and provides routine and emergency dispatch for local police, fire and ambulance services for the Champaign County area. This full-time, on-site position gives timely response to information received via radio, telephone, and computer in a dynamic, state-of-the-art environment. The position requires individuals who have the ability to effectively respond to immediate problems (including emergencies) and high-pressure situations.
Candidates are required to complete the steps listed below to be considered for this position. Steps must be completed by Wednesday, October 21, 2026, for consideration for current openings.
- Attend a mandatory in-person Information Session on September 29 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm at ILEAS (1701 E Main St, Urbana, IL). Click HERE to sign up.
- Session attendees will receive a code to register, schedule, and complete the E-Comm National Exam via National Testing Network (NTN) with passing scores of: Call Taker/53, Notes/64, Dispatch/43.
- Complete the Typing Test via NTN, typing at least 35 words per minute, with at least 90% accuracy. NOTE: Pass/fail determinations are made based on the Adjusted Words Per Minute score.
- Complete the E-Comm National Computer Simulations via NTN.
- Complete the full application via NTN.
- Sign and upload the Attestation form via NTN.
Candidates Successfully Passing The Steps Above, Will Then Be Invited To Move Through The Remainder Of The Hiring Process Which May Include
- Interview
- Reference checks
- Background check and fingerprint-based criminal history record check
- Two-hour sit-along/job shadow with a current Telecommunicator
- Conditional offer of employment
- Post-offer psychological evaluation, drug screening, and hearing test
- Confirmed offer of employment
- Must be 18 years or older by date of hire.
- U.S. Citizen, or legally authorized to work in the United States (must meet I-9 requirements at time of hire).
- High School diploma, or equivalent, by date of hire.
- Ability to work assigned shifts and mandatory and/or voluntary overtime, including weekends, holidays, and nights.
- Ability to acquire mandated certifications, including, but not limited to Law Enforcement Agency Data Systems (LEADS), Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) during the training phase.
Contact the Human Resources Department at (217) 403-8770 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. if you require an accommodation to complete this application or during any phase of the application, interview, or employment process. The following locations offer free Internet access and assistance: Champaign Public Library, Champaign Public Library Douglass Branch, and the Illinois WorkNet Center.
The City of Champaign is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to promoting a work environme nt and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion. Women, minorities and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
The City of Champaign's mission is to provide responsive, caring, cost-effective service in partnership with our community. The following values guide our work: Personal Integrity, Responsibility, Respect, Teamwork, Results. The City of Champaign is committed to promoting a work environme nt and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion. Learn more about the city's mission and values at https://champaignil.gov/city-managers-office
This position is covered under the City of Champaign American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Bargaining Unit labor agreement. This information is current as of February 12, 2026.
The City of Champaign offers a robust PPO Select Network plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois with a $500 individual and $1,000 family deductible. The plan covers nearly 98% of providers and facilities across the State of Illinois and grants access to providers nation-wide through Blue Cross Blue Shield. The City of Champaign pays up to $606.10 of the employee (single) health insurance premium and 50 percent of the dependent premium for continuous full-time employees. Premiums for single employee coverage above $606.10 per month are shared by the employee and the City. For the 2026/2027 plan year, AFSCME employees contribute 1.7719% of salary towards employee only health care. Premiums may be made on a pre‑tax basis, through the City’s Section 125 plan. Health insurance coverage begins on the date of hire and ends on the employee’s last day of work at the City.
- Employee Only
$606.10 + City share of premium above $606.10
1.7719% of salary - Spouse
$644.00
$644.00 - Children (one or more)
$399.50
$399.50 - Family (spouse and children)
$690.50
$690.50
Employees may purchase dental and/or vision insurance through payroll deduction. Employees pay 100 percent of the monthly premium for this coverage. Premiums for dental and vision insurance may be made on a pre-tax basis, through the City’s Section 125 plan. Dental and vision insurance begins after waiting for one complete calendar month (e.g., if hire date is in the month of January, coverage begins on March 1st).
The dental plan has two options: Delta Dental Network Low Plan (PPO) and Delta Dental High Plan.
- Employee Only
$25.54
$44.50 - Employee/Spouse
$52.57
$91.60 - Employee/Children
$60.01
$102.82 - Family
$95.76
$163.08
- Employee Only
$7.34 - Employee/One Dependent
$13.94 - Family
$20.48
The City provides a $20,000 term life insurance policy through The Hartford. Premiums are paid by the City. Employees may elect to purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for themselves up to 5x their annual salary or $500,000 (whichever is lower), through payroll deduction. Employees may also purchase term life for their spouses/dependents.
- Employee voluntary supplemental life insurance coverage can be purchased in $10,000 increments and the price is calculated based on the employee's age.
- Employees may purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for their spouses up to half the amount purchased for themselves in $5,000 increments. Cost is calculated based on the employee's age.
- Employees may purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for their dependent children in the amount of $10,000 for any/all eligible children.
- Employees may purchase Basic Life Insurance for their spouse and eligible dependent children.
- Option #1: $3.60/month for $10,000 for spouse and $5,000 for any/all eligible children.
- Option #2: $1.80/month for $5,000 for spouse and $2,000 for any/all eligible children.
Employees accrue sick leave at the rate of 3.69 hours per pay period (approximately 1 day per month), subject to labor contract provisions.
Vacation accrual rates are based on years of service. Employees are eligible to take vacation after six months of employment. Requests for leave to be taken during the initial six months of employment must be approved by the employee’s supervisor and may be permitted through a combination of personal leave, unpaid leave, flex time, and/or compensatory time.
- Through the 4th year
4.00 hours/13 days
200 hours/25 days - Beginning 5th year
4.15 hours/13.5 days
220 hours/27.5 days - Beginning 6th year
4.62 hours/15 days
240 hours/30 days - Beginning 7th year
5.08 hours/16.5 days
260 hours/32.5 days - Beginning 8th year
5.54 hours/18 days
280 hours/35 days - Beginning 12th year
6.00 hours/19.5 days
312 hours/39 days - Beginning 15th year
6.15 hours/20 days
312 hours/39 days - Beginning 20th year
6.77 hours/22 days
320 hours/40 days - Beginning 25th year
7.69 hours/25 days
400 hours/50 days
At the beginning of each fiscal year, employees are credited with three personal days (24 hours). Personal leave may not be accumulated and carried over into the next fiscal year (July 1st). Personal leave during the first year of employment varies based on the date of employment.
- 7/1 - 10/31
24 hours - 11/1 - 2/29
16 hours - 3/1 - 6/30
8 hours
New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Friday after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Employees may be required to work on holiday(s). Those employees receive additional compensation or time off.
Illinois state law requires that eligible municipal employees be covered by the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF). Employee contributions to IMRF are 4.5 percent of salary and are tax-deferred. For 2026, the City contributes 7.97 percent of eligible employee’s salaries to IMRF. In addition, IMRF members are covered by Social Security (FICA). Obtain additional information by contacting IMRF at 1-800-ASK-IMRF. Employees are eligible to contribute additional funds to IMRF through Voluntary Additional Contributions.
Per IMRF Guidelines, all “unused, unpaid sick leave” goes towards IMRF service credit for employees who retire from the City and whose effective date of their pension is within 60 days of their retirement. You will earn one month of service credit for every 20 days of unused, unpaid sick leave at the time of retirement. Employees with 1-20 days of unused, unpaid sick leave receive one (1) month of additional service credit, employees with 21-40 days of unused, unpaid sick leave will receive two (2) months, etc. If you have any questions regarding this, you can reach out to the Human Resources Department or IMRF directly.
A retirement health savings plan administered by the Mission Square Retirement Corporation has been established for AFSCME employees. AFSCME employees participate in the plan at separation or retirement of employment by contributing a portion of sick, vacation, and comp time leave balances. Threshold leave balance amounts are applicable. This account is available for use by the employee at retirement or separation of service. Eligible uses of the funds include medical expenses such as health insurance premiums, dental/vision expenses, coinsurance, and co-pays for employees, spouse, and/or dependents.
Employees Receive Longevity Pay Based Upon Their Years Of Continuous Employment With The City. Longevity Pay Is An Addition To The Employees’ Base Wage Rate, As Follows
5 years
2.5 percent
10 years
5.0 percent
15 years
7.5 percent
20 years
10.0 percent
25 years
12.5 percent
The City of Champaign offers employees the opportunity to participate in a tax-deferred annuity plan and/or Roth plan of the Mission Square Retirement Corporation through payroll deduction. This is an optional plan with no City contributions. More information may be obtained by contacting Client Services (1-800-669-7400) or Human Resources at 217-403-8770.
The City offers a Residency Incentive Reimbursement of $2,500 to AFSCME employees who establish residency or relocate within the City of Champaign (or Champaign County for METCAD employees). Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Human Resources Department. NOTE: not all Champaign addresses are within the municipal limits of the City of Champaign. Applicants for the Residency Incentive may check whether an address is within the city limits using the Maps function on the City of Champaign’s website under the IT Department.
The AFSCME union establishes regularly monthly dues which are collected by the City through payroll deduction on behalf of the union. Dues are currently $60.18.
View the current American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Bargaining Unit contract at champaignil.gov/hr/jobs/bargaining-units.
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