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Public Safety Telecommunicators

Also called: Communications Officer, Communications Operator, Dispatcher, Public Safety Dispatcher

What they do:

Operate telephone, radio, or other communication systems to receive and communicate requests for emergency assistance at 9-1-1 public safety answering points and emergency operations centers. Take information from the public and other sources regarding crimes, threats, disturbances, acts of terrorism, fires, medical emergencies, and other public safety matters. May coordinate and provide information to law enforcement and emergency response personnel. May access sensitive databases and other information sources as needed. May provide additional instructions to callers based on knowledge of and certification in law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical procedures.

On the job, you would:
  • Provide emergency medical instructions to callers.
  • Question callers to determine their locations and the nature of their problems to determine type of response needed.
  • Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch units in accordance with established procedures.
On the job, you'll need:

Safety and Government

  • public safety and security
  • law and government

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Communications

  • telecommunications
  • multimedia

Business

  • customer service

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • talking to others

Social

  • understanding people's reactions
  • changing what is done based on other people's actions

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Attention

  • pay attention to something without being distracted
  • do two or more things at the same time

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • order or arrange things

Visual Understanding

  • quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things

Conventional

People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.

  • Self Control
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Attention to Detail
  • Integrity
  • Dependability
  • Cooperation

Data base user interface and query software

  • Microsoft Access
  • National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Helpdesk or call center software

  • Computer aided dispatch software
  • Spillman Technologies Spillman Computer-Aided Dispatch

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Average.

New job opportunities are likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $46,900

Education

High school diploma/GED or some college is usually needed.

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