New

911 Operator / Dispatcher I, Bilingual

City of New Haven
Within Local 884 Range 11: $53,589*
United States, Connecticut, New Haven
165 Church Street (Show on map)
May 23, 2025
Introduction At the heart of the New Haven Public Safety Communications Department lies a critical function that serves as the linchpin of our city's safety infrastructure. We are dedicated to delivering maximum communications support to all residents, businesses, and public agencies of New Haven. Our mission is clear: to ensure immediate fire, police, or ambulance responses are executed with precision, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. As a Bilingual 911 Operator/Dispatcher I / II, you are an invaluable part of this mission, acting as the first point of contact for those in need. Our department is staffed by highly trained and dedicated personnel, and together, we constantly seek new and innovative means to enhance our effectiveness. Your role is pivotal in upholding public safety, and we welcome individuals who share our commitment to join our dynamic team. * Starting salary $53,589. After one year of successful service, provided that the employee has met requirements and demonstrated proficiency in all functions in Public Safety Communications, an employee in the classification of 911 Operator Dispatcher I shall receive a classification and salary upgrade to 911 Operator / Dispatcher II, the salary of which is currently $61,641, in Range 15 / Step 1. PRIMARY FUNCTIONS This is specialized work receiving and dispatching emergency and administrative messages over a combined police and fire communications system. Work includes accepting 911 calls, entering call information onto a computer system, providing emergency medical dispatch for calls involving critical illness or injury, and dispatching these calls via radio, or computer aided dispatch system to the proper responding department. Bilingual assignment work includes accepting 911 calls from Spanish/English speaking callers. Note that work schedules support the 24/7 operations of the Department. The work week is 40 hours, typically 5 'days' on / 2 'days' off. Shifts are: 8am - 4pm / 4pm - 12am / 12am - 8am, are bid by seniority, and will include weekends & holidays. TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Dispatch and assist other 911 Operator/Dispatchers in the routine work of the 911 Center,. Makes decisions in response to emergency calls for assistance involving medical emergencies, ambulance service, police assistance and dispatch of fire fighting apparatus, TDD file typing for the deaf and hospital calls. Operates an emergency communication system, receives radio calls from emergency responders and provides information to assist with the response. Refers matters requiring immediate departmental action to the supervising personnel. Refers non-emergency calls to Dispatch Assistants or other appropriate personnel. Logs all information received and dispatched. Assists in obtaining information about dispatched calls as may be required. Operates a computerized machine to record fire and police calls and related information. Performs related work as required. EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE Graduation from high school; and 1 to 3 years of office/clerical experience, and at least 1 year of experience with the use of computers and keyboards, or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the following knowledge, abilities and skills: KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & ABILITIES Knowledge of geography of the City of New Haven, its thoroughfares and features. Knowledge of adjoining jurisdictions, particularly State Police jurisdictions in the New Haven area. Ability to operate sophisticated radio transmitting and receiving equipment. Demonstrated ability to carry out written and oral instructions. Ability to exercise good judgement. Ability to learn rules, regulations and procedures for dispatching fire, police and ambulance units. Ability to perform routine and repetitive tasks with a high degree of accuracy and mental alertness. Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergencies. Ability to keep all matters confidential. Ability to demonstrate proper use of the English language and to speak clearly. Ability to operate computer equipment. Ability to learn to operate computer programs with speed and accuracy. Skill in typing accurately and at a reasonable rate of speed. Bilingual position requires fluency in Spanish & English. NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Must obtain and maintain Emergency Telecommunicator Certification within one year of being hired. Must obtain and maintain C.O.L.L.E.C.T certification within one year of being hired.* Must obtain and maintain an Emergency Medical Dispatch Certificate within one year of being hired. Must be trained in the use of a computer aided dispatch system within one year of being hired. Must be trained in emergency management software data entry. Must have ability to work various shifts and be flexible about days off. Note that work schedules support the 24/7 operations of the Department. The work week is 40 hours, typically 5 'days' on / 2 'days' off. Shifts are: 8am - 4pm / 4pm - 12am / 12am - 8am, and are bid by seniority. Must undergo a background check as a condition of employment. Bilingual position requires fluency in Spanish & English. The Connecticut On-Line Law Enforcement Communications Teleprocessing (COLLECT)* System is utilized throughout Connecticut to access valuable online State and Federal law enforcement resources. The COLLECT system is the statewide criminal justice system that is dedicated to the law enforcement and criminal justice agencies in the State of Connecticut SALARY, BARGAINING UNIT & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT This is a "General Fund," tested position. This position is included in a collective bargaining agreement with Local 884, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; the salary is within Local 884, Range 9. Bargaining agreements available to review HERE. General Funded hires into this class shall not be covered by Social Security but rather the City pension, contributing 9% of salary. The City of New Haven does not sponsor employment visas. All applicants must have current authorization to work in the U.S. without employer-sponsored visa support. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of: (1) an extensive pre-employment background check , (2) a pre-employment physical examination, including pre-employment drug screening accordance with the City's Drug Free Workplace Policy , and (3) a 120-day probationary period. Instructions and information on this pre-employment process are included in Conditional Offer of Employment. This is a sensitive title position requiring access to protected law enforcement systems. Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment will be required to successfully complete an extensive background investigation. That review will assess your overall suitability for the role and your eligibility to obtain Connecticut CJIS CT "COLLECT" certification (including access to NCIC/NLETS and in state criminal history databases). In conducting this investigation, we may uncover and may consider information beyond criminal convictions-such as employment history, credit, civil suits, driver record, arrest history or other factors-that bear on your fitness to serve in this capacity. Continued employment (and final issuance of COLLECT credentials) is contingent on an outcome that meets the Department's standards for integrity, reliability, and system security compliance. Pursuant to the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, The City of New Haven has a adopted a Drug Free Workplace Policy. The City of New Haven requires a pre-employment drug test, which includes screening for marijuana. Selection Plan Applications will be reviewed by the Department of Human Resources. Applicants must demonstrate within their submission that they meet the minimum requirements as listed within the job description; failure to do so may result in disqualification. Applicants meeting minimum requirements may be invited to participate in a Civil Service exam process at a later date. It is critical that you complete the application thoroughly, as the information you provide will be used to ascertain if you are eligible to move forward in the selection process. Your application and resume should indicate that you meet the minimum requirements as listed. This information may be used to determine the eligibility list. As such, this job announcement should be considered the exam announcement, and submissions may be evaluated prior to the posted closing date. Information regarding the employment and selection process can be found HERE. Please note that the only method of communication with applicants for this position will be by email. You must provide a valid, working email address and you will need to monitor your email, including spam/junk folders, for correspondence from the New Haven Human Resources Department. We reserve the right to extend an application deadline or close a job posting early to ensure we can attract and identify the best candidate(s) for a position. Conclusion To apply for this opportunity: Complete your User Registration. You are encouraged to save your Applicant Profile for future use. You MUST click on the job posting you are interested in, and click Apply or Apply Online from within that posting. MAKE SURE the job you are applying for is named at the top of the page as you review your application! Review or modify your application for that position Click "Ready to Send App" or the "Send" tab; read page and click the attestation Click "Send to City of New Haven" You will be redirected to "CONFIRMATION OF EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION SUBMISSION" You will also receive an email and text, if a number was provided, confirming your submission If you do not receive this confirmation in the next 24 hours, your application has not been submitted - please contact us at NHJobs@newhavenct.gov** Please Note, your Profile is NOT an application for an open position. After you create your Applicant Profile, you must still click on a Job Title and complete the application as instructed for each position.