Public Safety Dispatchers receive, assess, prioritize, and classify calls for service on emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatch requests to Police, Fire, EMS and other service agencies. The section operates on a seven day, 24 hour basis. Must be available to work any shift, weekends and holidays. Subject to mandatory overtime on occasion.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• Type 35 wpm.

• No felony convictions.

• Have normal hearing, vision correctable to 20/20 and have normal color vision.

Preferred:

• Prior Public Safety dispatching experience.

• Bilingual skills strongly desired.

• College degree.

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required skills and abilities is qualifying.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

To qualify for a Basic Telecommunications proficiency certificate, an applicant must meet all minimum requirements:  

• Successful completion of on the job training.

• 40-hour Basic Telecommunications Certification course and a 24-hour Crisis Communication class within one year from hire date.

• Obtain 16-hour TCIC/NCIC certification within six months from hire date.

• Completion of TDD/TTY training.

• Valid Texas Drivers License with good driving record.

• Intermediate and Advanced Certification require additional training hours, years of experience and mandatory courses to qualify.

Dispatcher Incentive Pay 2022

Experienced Dispatcher Sign-On Bonus:

• Minimum 1 full year dispatcher experience: $3,000 sign on bonus paid after FTO completion
• $500 retention bonus paid at the end of year 1 and year 2
• Minimum of 2 years commitment or bonus repaid at 75% at under 1 yr, 50% if in second year
• Will receive Current dispatcher retention after completion of year 2

Inexperienced Dispatcher Sign-On Bonus

• No experience: $1,000 sign on bonus paid after state certification achieved
• $500 retention bonus paid after year 1 and year 2
• Will receive Current retention bonus after year 2

Current Dispatcher retention:

• $250 paid every 6 months starting 10/1/2022
• Will apply to all current dispatchers immediately and new hires after year 2
• Positive evaluations will be required with no written disciplinary actions in the fiscal year