Public Safety Telecommunicator

Thurston 9-1-1 Communications•Olympia, WA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Thurston 9-1-1 Communications is accepting applications to establish a full-time and extra-help register for future openings as a Public Safety Telecommunicator. The role receives and prioritizes emergency and non-emergency calls, processes information using a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system, dispatches appropriate public safety agencies across Thurston County, and monitors public safety units in the field. The position is on-site only, with no remote work options. The tentative start date is April 2027; testing and interviews are expected to begin in January 2027. Applications received after February 8, 2027 may be considered for future New Hire Academies. The position works in a secured communications center with artificial lighting and limited opportunity for physical movement. It is part of a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week operation and involves rotating shifts, including holidays. Employees must be willing to work varying schedules, overtime, holidays, and on-call as needed. Conditional offers are contingent on a standard hearing test, psychological evaluation, and thorough background investigation. The position is represented by a union, eligible for full benefits, and eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED and one year of work experience in customer service, the public safety sector, or a related field; alternatively, six months of experience receiving, evaluating, transmitting, and monitoring emergency requests via telephone and/or radio for police, fire, and medical services.
Knowledge of Windows-based computer programs.
Must be at least 18 years old.
Willingness to work varying shift schedules, overtime hours, holidays, and on-call as needed.
No marijuana or illegal drug use, including unauthorized use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs, during the past 12 months.
Successful completion of a standard hearing test, psychological evaluation, and thorough background investigation as conditions of a conditional offer.

Nice To Haves

Ability to operate telephone, radio, and related communications equipment with a clear, well-modulated voice and good diction.
Ability to think and act quickly, calmly, and courteously in emergency situations.
Ability to exercise independent judgment when evaluating, prioritizing, and acting on routine and emergency requests.
Knowledge of Thurston County geography, streets, buildings, and landmarks, and ability to read maps.

Responsibilities

Receive incoming calls on more than 50 emergency and business telephone lines.
Operate multi-frequency radio, computer-aided dispatch systems, emergency messaging, alarm systems, playback audio recorders, TDD, security devices, and related communications equipment.
Interact with callers requesting emergency or non-emergency responses or services from community or public agencies.
Evaluate information and use CAD and Criteria Based Emergency Medical Dispatch (CBD) protocols to determine appropriate actions.
Use addresses and other pertinent information to dispatch law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical units.
Monitor and maintain the location and status of law enforcement, fire, emergency medical, and other authorized non-member agency units in the field.
Enter and retrieve data on ACCESS systems to assist law enforcement agencies in and outside Washington State.
Perform other related duties as assigned.