Police Dispatcher (Grade 11/7)

City of Huntsville • Huntsville, AL

13d • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Huntsville’s Police Department is seeking qualified applicants to fill Police Dispatcher positions. This is specialized communications work in receiving and dispatching accurate information on an assigned shift to appropriate personnel. Positions in this class are employed in police communications and dispatch personnel based on seven-digit calls and 911 calls. Work involves responsibility for the operation of specialized radio utilizing multiple channels and frequencies in a communication center. Position requires fast, efficient, and accurate receiving, dispatching, and processing of calls and messages from and to appropriate vehicles and personnel. Employees work with considerable independence, subject to instructions or orders to meet special operating circumstances or emergencies. The Huntsville Police Department (HPD) is located near the City’s downtown business and historic districts. Huntsville has 3 Police Precincts, approximately 500 sworn officers, 200 civilian personnel and patrols an area of around 220 square miles. HPD is a “Professional Law Enforcement Organization” utilizing modern technology, state of the art equipment and comprehensive training techniques. The Department is an internationally accredited law enforcement agency through the “Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement” (CALEA).

Requirements

• High school diploma from a school accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or GED certificate issued by the appropriate state agency.
• Some experience in operating communications equipment and basic computers.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must successfully complete a pre-employment supplemental application.
• Must successfully complete a pre-employment polygraph examination if selected for hire.
• Must pass a pre-employment fingerprinting background check if selected for hire.
• Must self-schedule and pass a pre-employment skills examination and type at least 30 words per minute on a computer keyboard.
• Must obtain Police Association of Public Safety Communications Officers (APCO) Certification within 6 months of hire.
• Must obtain Alabama Criminal Justice Information Systems (ACJIS) Certification within 6 months of hire.
• ALL APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND A MANDATORY IN-PERSON POSITION OVERVIEW ORIENTATION CONDUCTED BY POLICE COMMUNICATIONS PERSONNEL AT THE HUNTSVILLE MADISON COUNTY 911 CENTER - 1570 OLD MONROVIA RD NW. HUNTSVILLE, AL 35806.
• Applicants eligible to participate - those who meet the minimum requirements listed above - may self schedule an appointment for the mandatory Police Dispatcher Position Overview Orientation & Exam immediately after submitting an application.
• The deadline to self-schedule for the final exam is Thursday, August 20, 2026.
• After the Position Overview Orientation, those who wish to continue in the process, will be required to take an exam proctored by Police Communications Personnel.
• The orientation and testing will take approximately 2-3 hours.
• Applicants who self-schedule for the mandatory Police Dispatcher position overview orientation and exam will receive an email with additional information prior to their appointment date/time.
• Applicants must present a valid driver's license or photo ID at the time of their appointment.
• Applicants who arrive late, fail to attend, or fail to make other arrangements, will be eliminated from the hiring process.
• Applicants who successfully pass the exam will be eligible for an oral interview and must also pass an extensive background investigation which includes a supplemental application, polygraph, fingerprinting background, pre-employment physical and drug-screening test if selected for further consideration in the hiring process.

Responsibilities

• Fast and efficient work in dispatching and processing calls to appropriate personnel.
• Receiving and dispatching accurate information on an assigned shift to appropriate personnel.
• Operation of specialized radio utilizing multiple channels and frequencies in a communication center.
• Fast, efficient, and accurate receiving, dispatching, and processing of calls and messages from and to appropriate vehicles and personnel.

What This Job Offers

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