APD E911 Communications Dispatcher II

City of Atlanta • Atlanta, GA

1d

About The Position

Performs radio communication dispatch and telecommunications duties for the Atlanta Police and Aviation Department. The role involves communicating with city and county units and personnel, maintaining field-unit status for safety, answering and routing telephone calls, dispatching emergency and non-emergency calls, providing information and assistance, and maintaining records, files, and logs. The dispatcher works under direct supervision and follows standard procedures and written instructions.

The position supports Atlanta Fire Rescue and airport operations through the handling of emergency calls, radio and telephone communications, Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), video surveillance, access control systems, duress alarms, and other information received at the AOC facility. It requires sound judgment in stressful, fast-paced situations, coordination with airport responders and other agencies, and thorough shift-relief briefings. The position is open until November 16, 2026, and pays $23.51 per hour.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• One to three years of customer service or communications dispatching experience.
• Willingness to perform shift work, including various shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Successfully pass a communications dispatcher performance test measuring the ability to receive, retain, and process emergency information.
• Pass a background investigation.
• Obtain Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) certification and Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council Communications Officer (P.O.S.T.) certification within six months of appointment, and maintain the required certification.
• Successfully complete a dispatching course and on-the-job training.
• Knowledge of dispatching and communication systems and local law-enforcement practices, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of emergency communications equipment operating techniques and procedures, customer-service standards and best practices, and department terminology, principles, and methods.
• Strong listening and verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to convey information effectively and empathetically.
• Ability to speak with a clear, well-modulated voice and speak English rapidly, clearly, and concisely.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and during heavy workloads and emergency-related calls.
• Ability to dispatch and handle emergency calls continuously under time constraints.
• Ability to communicate, interpret communications, and accurately enter data into a computer system at the same time.
• Computer proficiency with a variety of applications and software.
• Meet the physical and sensory requirements of the job, including sedentary work involving up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and negligible force frequently or constantly.

Nice To Haves

• One year of call center experience in a fast-paced work environment.
• Bilingual English/Spanish capabilities.
• GCIC certification and Georgia P.O.S.T. Communications Officer certification are preferred; applicants selected for the position must obtain them within six months after appointment.

Responsibilities

• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously and remain calm while taking appropriate action during stressful, life-or-death situations.
• Answer multiple telephone lines, handle 911 calls within the Department of Aviation jurisdiction, transfer calls to the appropriate agency when needed, and update call lists.
• Maintain field-unit status to support personnel safety during incidents and activities such as accidents, hazardous incidents, traffic control, pursuits, and calls in progress.
• Communicate over radio channels, initiate and respond to calls, issue case numbers, and notify others when services are requested or required.
• Dispatch emergency calls and provide communications support to Atlanta Fire Rescue units during emergency and non-emergency activities.
• Provide the public with directions, referrals, responses to complaints and concerns, and other requested information.
• Contact utility companies to help resolve issues such as gas detection and power failures.
• Use judgment and initiative when dispatching emergency calls and handling other requests.
• Operate technology and respond to radio, telephone, email, alarm, CCTV, and other data transmitted into the AOC facility.
• Provide quality customer service to the public and AOC-supported operations.
• Monitor video surveillance systems and relay observations to responders upon request.
• Monitor access control systems and duress alarms, and coordinate security and law-enforcement responses.
• Use the CAD system to track, record, and prioritize incidents and responses.
• Respond decisively when incident conditions change or airport staff or facilities are endangered.
• Coordinate communications with airport responders during airport incidents.
• Staff and support EOC activation as directed.
• Provide detailed briefings to relief Telecommunicators before leaving workstations.
• Use independent judgment and discretion to handle emergencies, determine procedures, maintain standards, and resolve problems.
• May oversee temporary or contract workers and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Shift differential pay for evening and overnight shifts.
• Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities during the application process and employment.

What This Job Offers

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