Dispatcher

City of Clarksville • POLICE - 135 Commerce Street Clarksville, TN

6d

About The Position

This is the first of four levels in the Public Safety Communications series. The Dispatcher receives incoming calls for police, fire, medical, and other emergency assistance and dispatches appropriate units via radio and telephone. The role also handles non-emergency calls, coordinates and relays information, accesses the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), and maintains operational records and daily radio logs.

Applicants must be at least 21 years old and complete the required typing assessment at the American Job Center in Clarksville, Tennessee, with a net result of at least 35 words per minute. Applicants must be registered with Jobs4tn.gov before visiting the center and must submit both an application and typing assessment results to be considered. Applicants whose applications are forwarded by Human Resources will be contacted by the Clarksville Police Department with a date for a written examination. Selected applicants will work 12-hour shifts, which may be during the day or night and may include weekends and holidays. The position will remain open through October 26, 2026, or until filled.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• At least 21 years old to apply and be considered.
• No experience required.
• Achieve a net result of at least 35 words per minute on the required typing test.
• Register with Jobs4tn.gov before visiting the American Job Center for the typing test.
• Submit an application and typing assessment results to be considered.
• Police/Fire APCO certification.
• National Incident Management System (NIMS) certification.
• Communications Training Officer (CTO) certification.
• National Crime Information Center (NCIC) certification.
• Knowledge of customer service principles, city geography, computers and related software applications, and recordkeeping principles.
• Skill in providing customer service, remaining calm in stressful situations, operating multi-line phone systems, using computers and related software, reading maps, maintaining records and logs, and communicating effectively.
• Ability to perform the listed physical and sensory activities, including typing and other repetitive finger and hand motions, hearing, speaking, and visual tasks.

Responsibilities

• Receive and route telephone calls reporting emergencies or life-threatening situations; question callers and obtain relevant information.
• Receive and route non-emergency telephone calls.
• Dispatch appropriate units to calls using a radio console.
• Track calls and notify appropriate individuals about situations requiring their attention.
• Monitor the status and location of public safety units.
• Enter, update, and retrieve information from the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
• Maintain operational records, logs, and daily radio logs.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED