Telecommunicator

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Williston, ND
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 2025-14
Department: Williams County Dispatch Center
Opening Date: 05/09/2025

Description

The 911 Telecommunicator receives, processes, and dispatches emergency and non-emergency calls for police, fire, EMS, and other public safety services. This position requires strong multitasking skills, quick decision making, and the ability to remain effective in unpredictable, high-pressure situations
Examples of Duties

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents in this position. The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and may change with or without notice. Incumbents must be able to perform the essential function of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Receives emergency and non-emergency calls and obtains pertinent information to determine the type and level of service required
• Dispatches police, fire, EMS, and other emergency units to locations requiring assistance, relaying accurate incident information; maintains communication with field units on assignment
• Monitors the activity of multiple public safety radio frequencies
• Operates a variety of communications equipment, including radio consoles, telephones, computer systems, and alarm monitoring equipment
• Remains professional, calm, and courteous during communications with members of the public and emergency personnel
• Enters, updates, and retrieves information from a variety of computer systems, including Microsoft Office and CAD
• Creates and maintains accurate records, logs, and reports
• Reads and interprets maps and maintains familiarity with major roads, streets, industrial areas, public buildings, and the general geographic location of the covered service area
• Maintains current understanding of public safety policies and procedures for the Department of Emergency Management, police, fire, EMS, and other emergency service providers
• Maintains confidentiality of non-public records and makes available all data and information deemed a public record by the North Dakota Century Code.

Typical Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED
• Must pass a thorough background check and pre-employment drug and alcohol screening
• Must successfully progress through 911 Telecommunicator training program within allotted timeframe

• Must be able to work any assigned shift, including weekdays, weekends, overnight, and holidays
• Intense concentration and prolonged attentiveness are required during emergency communications
• Interaction with distraught or abusive individuals

Compensation and Benefits: Starting pay is $26.63 per hour and may vary based on qualifications and experience. Williams County provides generous benefits to full-time regular employees, paid sick and vacation leave, a fully paid health/dental/vision benefit plan for employees and dependents, term life insurance of $25,000, 100% contribution toward retirement benefits through the ND Public Employees Retirement System (employees are fully vested after 36 months), and 12 paid holidays each year. Rental housing may be available through Williams County.

To obtain more information about living in Williston, visit
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check, drug screening, and reference review.
Williams County offers competitive pay, a great work environment and a generous benefit package to full time employees, including a fully-paid health/dental/vision plan for the entire family.

Williams County pays the full premium for family, single-plus-dependent or single coverage plan for each full-time employee.

Williams County provides a monthly allowance toward the purchase of a voluntary supplemental insurance policy for each full-time employee. Coverage may include single, single-plus-dependent or family coverage on any voluntary supplemental insurance provided by the designated Williams County supplemental insurance provider.

Williams County pays the premium for a $25,000 term life insurance policy and $25,000 accidental death and dismemberment policy for full-time employees.

Williams County pays the premium for a Long Term Disability Insurance plan for full-time employees.

Employees who are at least 18 years of age and are working in a qualified position an average of 20 hours per week for five or more months of the year are required to participate in the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System (ND PERS) Retirement Plan. Membership will become effective immediately upon employment.
01

How many years of public safety communications experience, or similar, do you have?

• No Experience
• 1 month to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years or more

02

What is your level of experience related to Microsoft Word?

• No Experience
• Limited Experience
• Moderate Experience
• Advanced Experience

03

What is your level of experience related to Microsoft Excel?

• No Experience
• Limited Experience
• Moderate Experience
• Advanced Experience

04

What is your level of experience related to Microsoft Outlook?

• No Experience
• Limited Experience
• Moderate Experience
• Advanced Experience

05

Mark all items in which you have experience, training, or certifications:

• Collaborating with public safety agencies or other officials
• Maintaining confidential and sensitive information
• Reviewing service contracts, requests for proposal, or procurements
• State and federal laws, regulations, and statutes governing dispatch for emergency services
• Public relations
• None of the above

06

Mark all items in which you have experience, training, or certifications:

• Public safety two-way radios
• Emergency call dispatching
• Non-emergency call dispatching
• Computer-aided design software (CAD)
• VHF paging
• None of the Above

07

Do you have any of the certifications listed below? (Mark all that apply)

• APCO Basic 40-hour Telecommunicator Certification
• APCO Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) Certification
• American Heart Association or National Safety Council CPR and First Aid Certifications
• NCIC Full Access License
• APCO Customer Service in Today's Public Safety Communications Certification
• APCO Surviving Stress Certification
• None of the above

08

Which best describes your highest level of completed education?

• Some high school
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Doctoral degree

09

Do you have a valid North Dakota driver's license OR equivalent (i.e. license from another State)?

• Yes
• No

Required Question