Communications Technician/911 Dispatcher - April 2025 Exam

Are you looking to make a difference every day, with each call that you answer? Apply now to be part of our 911 emergency communications team that assists in saving lives, protecting property and serving the public in their time of need. The City of Dublin is accepting applications for an exciting and fulfilling career in emergency communications. To learn more about being a dispatcher, click on in this Recruitment Video and to learn more about our center, click on this Recruitment Video

Candidates that are currently not working as a 911 dispatcher or do not have related experience in the field are required to complete the written examination. You can schedule to take the exam in person at one of NTN's testing locations or you can schedule to take the exam online at your convenience. Your NTN exam score will be valid for one year. Lateral candidates who are currently working as a 911 Dispatcher should apply to the separate LATERAL posting that does not require the written exam. This posting is available at style="color: inherit; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0">The instructions to complete the NTN written exam: 1. Applicants may register for the exam at www.nationaltestingnetwork.com You may call National Testing Network (NTN) at ... with any questions regarding scheduling your exam. 2. Be sure to select the City of Dublin as an agency to send your scores. 3. After you have completed the exam, the City of Dublin will receive your scores and passing candidates will be notified via email to self schedule their in-person interview. Please note the dates below for the rest of the mandatory steps in the recruitment process. Deadline to take the exam: May 18, 2025

Important dates to be aware of: Application and NTN testing window: April 14 - May 18 Panel Interviews: June 2 - June 6 Backgrounds checks: June 9 - August 8 Final Chief Interviews: August 18 - 20 Conditional Offers: August 21 Projected start date: September 22

The Northwest Regional Emergency Communications Center (NRECC) is the primary public safety dispatch center for the City of Dublin, City of Hilliard, City of Upper Arlington (police and fire), City of Worthington (police and fire), Washington Township, and Norwich Township. Located inside the Dublin Justice Center, NRECC was formed in October 2013 when Dublin began providing dispatching services for Norwich Township Fire and became the primary 9-1-1 answering point for all of Hilliard. Dispatching for Hilliard Police started in January of 2014. Upper Arlington fire joined in October 2017 and Upper Arlington Police in January 2018. City of Worthington Police and Fire joined in 2020.

The nature of this work requires that candidates work irregular hours which include nights, weekends, and holidays. Assignment of shifts is based upon seniority.

First Shift: 6:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Second Shift: 2:45 p.m. to 10:45 p.m.
Third Shift: 10:45 p.m. to 6:45 a.m.

Primary Focus: This position communicates with safety, other City personnel, and partnering agencies that fall under the Northwest Regional Emergency Communications Center (NRECC). Work involves receiving, prioritizing, transmitting, and recording data, communications, resources, and requests for assistance. The incumbent must model the following established core values: Integrity, Respect, Communication, Teamwork, Accountability, Positive Attitude, Dedication to Service, Professionalism, and Commitment.

Given the nature of this classifications duties/responsibilities, it has been designated as Non-Exempt under the governing Fair Labor Standards Act regulations and, therefore, is entitled to formal overtime compensation and/or formal compensatory time.
All correspondence regarding the hire process, including the log-in information for the information session, will be sent to the email address submitted with the application. Therefore, it is imperative that your email address is correct with no errors. The City of Dublin offers advanced step placement for those with prior dispatching experience: 2025 Wage Structure: Step 1 - $61,424.33 Step 2 - $64,879.45 Step 3 - $68,334.58 Step 4 - $71,789.68 Step 5 - $75,628.69 Step 6 - $79,467.72 Working at the City of Dublin is more than just a job Join the City of Dublin today! In addition to a competitive pay plan, the City offers a comprehensive benefits program for our permanent full-time employees that includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Opportunity to earn premium-free medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Employer-provided contributions to Health Savings or Health Reimbursement Account ($1875/year for single coverage, $3750/year for family coverage)
• Healthy By Choice Wellness Program
• Employer-provided Life Insurance
• Vacation, Sick, and Personal Leave
• Longevity Pay after just four years
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program and Peer Support Program
• Dublin Community Recreation Center Membership (Employee and their spouse)
• Deferred Compensation (optional retirement program)
• Ohio Public Employees Retirement (14% employer matching program)

Operate a multi-channel radio system to dispatch requests for assistance and resources for law enforcement, fire, medical, and other emergency requests. Coordinate backup support when needed.

Operate a multi-line phone system to process incoming 9-1-1, text-to-9-1-1, TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf), and non-emergency calls, record, and dispatch the appropriate resources to the emergency or concern.

Operate a sophisticated workstation comprised of multiple monitors with various mapping, video feeds, computer-aided-dispatch (CAD), Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) guide cards, and various other computer-aided resources to collect, verify locations of emergencies, evaluate, process, prioritize, track units, and collate incident information with limited supervision.

Utilize accepted techniques and protocols to obtain the necessary information to identify the specific type and priority level of emergency.

Maintains communication with callers and responders during life-threatening emergencies or volatile situations by providing guidance and life-saving pre-arrival medical instructions.

Performs queries and entries into the computerized state system, LEADS, and national system, NCIC, to assist in locating persons and property and ensuring officer safety.

Utilization of the Dublin Emergency Warning Systems and Dublin Emergency Calling System to notify the public of emergencies such as severe weather, hazardous material incidents, and other public emergencies.

Coordinate with other dispatch organizations to determine and communicate the status of resources for requests for assistance.

Other duties as assigned.

Possession of a High School Diploma or GED.

Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application.

Must be a United States Citizen or United States Permanent Resident.

Physical Requirements:
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively under highly stressful conditions, listen attentively to radio transmissions for long periods, and attend to information requests from numerous parties.

Ability to transmit information verbally clearly, concisely, and accurately.

Ability to respond to emergency calls appropriately, effectively, efficiently, and calmly.

Necessary Special Requirements:
Ability to acquire and maintain LEADS and NCIC certification.

Possession of a valid driver's license.

Must establish and maintain a primary place of residence within a County within which the Division of Police has jurisdiction or a county contiguous with such County of jurisdiction. (List includes Franklin, Delaware, Union, Morrow, Marion, Hardin, Logan, Champaign, Madison, Pickaway, Fairfield, Licking, and Knox Counties.)

Other Requirements:
Successful completion of all phases of the selection process before appointment.

Successful completion of the communications technician training program.

Regular attendance, as governed by and in accordance with applicable rules, regulations, procedures, and laws, is regarded as an essential requirement of this classification.

Compliance with training directives established by supervisory/managerial personnel.

Adherence to all applicable Federal and State safety laws, rules, regulations, and City safety policies/procedures.

Composure: Is cool under pressure, can be counted on to hold things together during tough times; can handle stress; is not knocked off balance by the unexpected; is a settling influence in a crisis. Is professional even when frustrated.

Dealing with Ambiguity: Can effectively cope with change; can shift gears comfortably; can decide and act without having the total picture; isnt upset when things are up in the air; doesnt have to finish things before moving on; can comfortably handle risk and uncertainty. Can task switch based on priority.

Patience: Tolerant of people and processes; listens and checks before acting; tries to understand the people and the data before making judgments and acting; sensitive to due process and proper pacing; follows established process.

Problem-Solving: Uses logic and methods to solve, complex problems with effective solutions; probes all fruitful sources for answers; can see hidden problems; is excellent at honest analysis; looks beyond the obvious and doesnt stop at the first answers.

Priority Setting: Spends his/her time and the time of others on whats necessary; can quickly sense what will help or hinder accomplishing a goal; eliminates roadblocks; creates focus.

Technical Learning: Picks up on technical things quickly; can learn new skills and knowledge; is good at learning new industry, company, product, or technical knowledge.

Timely Decision Making: Makes decisions promptly, sometimes with incomplete information and under tight deadlines and pressure; able to make a quick decision.

THE CITY OF DUBLIN IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER