Emergency Services Dispatcher (Entry or Lateral)

Want to make a difference? Work with a team of 9-1-1 professionals? The City of Littleton is one of the Denver metro area's top places to live, work, and play. Our emergency dispatchers are at the heart of public safety operations. If you are interested in a fast paced highly rewarding career, bring your passion and talents to the City of Littleton as an Emergency Services Dispatcher. We are looking for people who want to help others and give back to the community. Your unique skills are critical to the success of our organization. The Littleton Police Communication Center is staffed by professionals trained to answer incoming 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls, assess priorities of calls and dispatch the appropriate emergency responses to ensure the safety of citizens, visitors and emergency personnel.

The Emergency Services Dispatcher receives non-emergency and emergency 9-1-1 calls from the public and dispatches the appropriate emergency units. Maintains and verbally communicates resource information to police officers, and citizens. Determines and dispatches appropriate police units to respond to both emergency and routine situations. Contacts and coordinates support agency response to calls.

The City of Littleton is a vibrant community south of Denver and is consistently voted as one of America’s Best Small Cities, and a top place to raise a family. Learn more about everything Littleton has to offer at VisitLittleton.org. Home to a vibrant and historic downtown, and a variety of shopping venues, restaurants, parks and trails, there is a lot to offer to the wonderful people who live and work here. The City of Littleton offers outstanding benefits and perks to our employees. For more information, see the 2024 Benefit Guide and 2025 Benefit Guide.

The City of Littleton believes in attracting and retaining the best talent and our strategies include hiring in at market pay and creating career development opportunities. In addition to your application, please submit a cover letter that describes why you are the best candidate for this position with the City of Littleton.

Hiring pay range $30.74 - $33.98 per hour

Hiring pay range for Lateral $33.20 - $36.70 per hour

Hiring Incentive:

This position includes a $2,000 Hiring Incentive

($500 payable on first full paycheck; $500 payable upon successful completion of training; $1,000 payable upon successful completion of 12-month probationary period).
 

This full-time position is non-exempt per FLSA and is eligible for overtime compensation.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time position and may be assigned a 10-hour shift or a 12-hour shift, during the day or at night, depending on department needs.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified or the position is filled, but preference will be given to complete applications received by December 1, 2024. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

HIRING PROCESS 

• Applications will be reviewed by the Division Manager
• Testing (Criticall and PEP) - Self testing, proctored by Dispatch Supervisors
• Interviews - Minimum of two on panel; Dispatch supervisors and/or current Communications Training dispatchers
• Background Investigation - Qualified candidates assigned to an investigator  
• Polygraph and Psychological scheduled during background investigation process
• Offer made at conclusion

The expected duration of the hiring process is 6 to 12 weeks. Applicants who enter the process but are not selected for employment are not eligible to re-apply for the same position with the City of Littleton for one year.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Receives emergency and non-emergency calls daily by radio and telephone reporting or requesting emergency law enforcement assistance. 

• Records information received, elevates emergency response, prioritizes simultaneous multiple calls, and dispatches or coordinates with law enforcement or fire personnel for appropriate response personnel and equipment.

• Provides requested information or assistance, takes and routes messages, or transfers callers to the appropriate individual or agency.

• Maintains and updates current information of personnel assignments, police officers, emergency medic vehicles and equipment, including location and status of service.

• Enters data into computer terminals; composes and types messages; records reports, forms, correspondence, written materials from telephone and radio voice communications, obtains approvals and signatures as required; and makes and distributes copies as required.

• Maintains and retrieves computer data files on stolen property and missing and wanted persons.

• Sends teletype information to other law enforcement agencies via CCIC/NCIC computer systems.

• Responds to media calls after major incidents and assists the PIO with disseminating information to the news media and public after the PIO has issued a statement that can be released.

• Researches, locates, and retrieves information and documents from electronic and other information sources.

• Observes and follows established city and department policies and procedures daily.

• Plans and arranges work schedule and establishes priorities to complete scheduled, assigned work within parameters assigned by the supervisor.

• Other similar duties and projects as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications - Emergency Services Dispatcher:

• High school diploma or equivalent; and

• One (1) year of customer service experience; or

• An equivalent combination of education, training and work experience that produces the knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position may be considered.

• Requires certification of CCIC/NCIC operations within six months of issuance of operator security/number.

• Must maintain CCIC/NCIC certification with a renewal of certification every two years.

• Must be able to pass a pre-employment criminal background check, polygraph exam, psychological evaluation, drug screen, and physical.

Minimum Qualifications - Lateral:

• High school diploma or equivalent; and

• Two (2) years of dispatch experience at a primary PSAP; and

• Current CCIC/NCIC certification or its equivalent for out of state applicants; and

• Current Incident Command System (ICS) certificate.

• Must maintain CCIC/NCIC certification with a renewal of certification every two years.

• Must be able to pass a pre-employment criminal background check, polygraph exam, psychological evaluation, drug screen, and physical.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Expert ability to remain calm and rational in emergency situations and respond and communicate clearly, accurately, and appropriately to callers who may be incoherent, emotionally distraught, hysterical, unresponsive, or non-receptive to verbal communications.

• Expert ability to receive, record, and respond to simultaneous multiple emergency calls for assistance including the ability to correctly prioritize and communicate responses to appropriate personnel or support agencies.

• Advanced knowledge of the principles, techniques and practices of emergency services dispatching, department emergency response protocols and procedures, and the skill and ability to apply those principles and techniques to perform the essential duties/responsibilities of the position.

• Ability to read, understand, and interpret street and emergency response maps including the ability to receive and give directions using maps.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:

• Physical activities include frequently lifting (from a sitting or bending position) objects weighing up to 10 pounds with or without assistance.

• Long periods of sitting, standing or walking may be required.  Assigned work is performed indoors in an emergency communications center environment with occasional work outside; that includes exposure to multiple telephone and radio signals; tone alarms; and in-person, radio, and telephone voice communications, loud noises, and vibrations.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Littleton is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and intends to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and job applicants regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other non-job related characteristic, and to hire and retain the best-qualified individuals without regard to any of these factors. This prohibition includes unlawful harassment based on a protected class.

The City of Littleton will consider reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process and employment. Applicants and employees can request an accommodation by contacting Human Resources at 303-795-3857 or emailing hr@littletongov.org.

Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workplace

The City of Littleton is committed to the health and safety of all its employees. To ensure a safe and productive work environment the city prohibits the use, sale, dispensation, manufacture, distribution or possession of alcohol, drugs, controlled substances or drug paraphernalia on any city premises or worksites. No employee shall report to work or be at work with alcohol or with any detectable amount of prohibited drugs in the employee's system. A detectable amount refers to the standards generally used in workplace drug & alcohol testing. This prohibition specifically includes marijuana, and decriminalized psychedelics whether used for medical purposes or obtained legally under state law.