Public Safety Communicator I, II, III

The City of Fort Worth•Chicago, IL

6d•$27 - $39•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Fort Worth’s Emergency Management & Communications Department is hiring Public Safety Communicators at levels I, II, and III for its 24/7 Emergency Communications Center. Public Safety Communicators serve as the link between the community and emergency field responders by answering requests for help, assessing and prioritizing emergency and non-emergency incidents, and coordinating appropriate public safety responses. The role requires sound judgment, adaptability, teamwork, and commitment to public service. Candidates may be placed at a level based on applicable licenses, certifications, training, demonstrated competencies, and relevant public safety communications experience. Communicators use emergency telephony and other communication systems, computer-aided dispatch and related technologies to obtain and document information, provide instructions, and coordinate resources. Depending on level and assignment, duties include call taking, dispatching and monitoring personnel, accessing authorized criminal justice information, maintaining records, and supporting operations during critical incidents and major events. The position supports 24/7 operations. Work schedules are assigned based on departmental needs and may include irregular hours, overnight shifts, weekends, holidays, mandatory overtime, and extended hours during emergencies or staffing difficulties. Employees must be able to activate for 24/7 emergency response as needed. The work involves prolonged sitting, repetitive keyboard use, viewing multiple monitors, sustained multitasking and decision-making under time pressure, and routine exposure to traumatic or emotionally intense situations. The hiring range is $27.09–$39.36 per hour, depending on public safety communications experience and qualifications. A $2,000 sign-on incentive is paid in two installments: 50% after completion of the first pay period and 50% after six months of employment. Competitive lateral compensation opportunities are available for experienced public safety communicators. Shift differential pay is $0.75 per hour for second shift and $1.50 per hour for third shift. Language pay is $100 per month subject to proficiency verification and job-related use. TCOLE certification pay is $60 per month for Advanced certification and $120 per month for Masters certification.

Requirements

Public Safety Communicator I: High school diploma or high school equivalency certificate (GED).
Public Safety Communicator I: Pass a drug screening.
Public Safety Communicator I: Pass an examination by a psychologist licensed by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists or by a psychiatrist licensed by the Texas Medical Board.
Meet TCOLE and CJIS requirements.
Public Safety Communicator II: High school diploma or GED and Public Safety Communicator I qualifications.
Public Safety Communicator II: One year of public safety call-taking or dispatch experience.
Public Safety Communicator II: Successfully complete Police Dispatch training by the time of job offer.
Public Safety Communicator III: High school diploma or GED and Public Safety Communicator I and II qualifications.
Public Safety Communicator III: Two years of public safety dispatch experience.
Public Safety Communicator III: Active Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC) full access certification.
Public Safety Communicator III: Communications Training Officer (CTO) certification.
Pass a CJIS fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility.
Applicants must not have used marijuana within the prior 12 months or illegally used controlled substances within the prior five years.
Be available for assigned regular and irregular shift rotations, including possible weekends, holidays, extended hours, and emergency response activation.
Maintain composure, empathy, accuracy, and professionalism when exposed to traumatic, distressing, and emotionally intense situations.

Nice To Haves

Recently employed and currently working within an Emergency Communications Center (ECC).
Three years of ECC-centric experience.
Active Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Telecommunicator License.

Responsibilities

Respond to, prioritize, and facilitate emergency and non-emergency requests for public safety assistance using established procedures and guidelines.
Use E911/NG911 telephony, texting, video, alerting, and TDD/TTY/RTT systems to communicate with the community, including deaf and hearing-impaired individuals.
Use computers, computer-aided dispatch systems, and other public safety technologies to process requests and maintain situational awareness for responders.
Ask questions to interpret, analyze, and resolve problems, provide information, and make timely or emergent decisions using limited, incomplete, or rapidly changing information.
Conduct structured interviews to obtain, verify, and assess incident information, including its nature, location, and circumstances, and determine appropriate responses and resource needs.
Determine, verify, and document caller and incident locations using available location technologies, mapping systems, and caller-provided information.
Provide pre-arrival, lifesaving, and emergency instructions to the community and fellow first responders.
Maintain situational awareness and update incident information while communicating with callers, giving instructions, documenting information, and operating multiple public safety systems.
Maintain communications operations during high-volume events, emergencies, disasters, and other critical incidents.
Perform Public Safety Communicator I or II duties as assigned according to operational needs, demonstrated skill, training, and departmental requirements.
Evaluate incident information and determine priorities, responses, and resource needs; dispatch, assign, and coordinate police personnel and resources using CAD, radio, mapping, and other public safety technologies.
Maintain communications with field personnel; monitor assigned resources’ status, location, and activity; and relay critical information, changing conditions, emerging threats, and requests for assistance.
Monitor multiple active incidents and public safety operations across radio traffic, CAD activity, telephone communications, and other information sources.
Access and disseminate authorized criminal justice, public safety, geographic, and incident-related information, including information through TLETS, TCIC, NCIC, and other authorized systems, consistent with policies and security requirements.
Coordinate communications and resources during critical incidents, high-risk events, emergencies, disasters, and other situations requiring an elevated response.
Maintain accurate, timely, and complete incident documentation and communicate clearly, calmly, and professionally with police personnel, public safety partners, other agencies, and community members.
Perform Public Safety Communicator I, II, or III duties as assigned based on operational needs, training, qualifications, and departmental requirements.
Perform TCIC, NCIC, and CJIS functions to obtain, verify, document, disseminate, and validate authorized criminal justice and public safety information.
Process and maintain criminal justice and public safety records in compliance with applicable laws, policies, procedures, and security requirements while ensuring confidentiality, accuracy, and authorized access.
Coordinate information, resources, notifications, and operational support during routine operations, critical incidents, emergencies, disasters, and major events.

Benefits

11 paid holidays
Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Paid time off
Pension plan
Professional development opportunities
$2,000 sign-on incentive
Second- and third-shift differential pay
Language pay
TCOLE certification pay
Competitive lateral compensation opportunities for experienced public safety communicators