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911 Public Safety Telecommunicator I

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911 Public Safety Telecommunicator I

Salary

$53,355.83 - $89,389.62 Annually

Location

Norfolk, VA

Job Type

Permanent Full-time

Job Number

13736

Department

Emergency 911 Division - Norfolk Police Department

Opening Date

01/06/2026

Closing Date

1/18/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Description

Norfolk, Virginia is America's most authentic and urban waterfront city. Home to the world's largest naval station and the business, arts, and cultural center of Coastal Virginia, Norfolk has been rated a top place to live, work, play, and raise a family by numerous publications. Working for the City of Norfolk is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others. With our commitment to competitive pay and a strong retirement package, you can do good for your community and do well for yourself. Join a caring workplace that proudly celebrates uniqueness, authenticity, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of our residents.

Do you want to make a difference in your community? Would you find it rewarding to be a crucial link in the public safety chain? If you answer yes to these questions, then you may be a good fit for the City of Norfolk’s 911 center. As essential staff members of our agency, Public Safety Telecommunicator's are the first people that a caller interacts with when reporting emergencies in Norfolk. We are seeking a full-time Public Safety Telecommunicator I, to join our Team!

Our 91l Telecommunicators receive extensive paid training to gain knowledge, skills, and abilities that will allow them to be independent decision makers while adhering to established policies and procedures. From their training, our staff is able to:

+ Answer non-emergency and emergency calls from the community so police, fire, or EMS services may be dispatched.

+ Make decisions and provide clear directions and advice.

Norfolk employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package and as a member of a public safety agency this includes no-cost participation in a wellness program which provides massages, saltwater floats, sauna, gym use, and more. We value our first responders and care about their physical and emotional wellness.

Department Hiring Salary Range: $53,355.83-$57,156.09

Video - Norfolk's 911 Telecommunicators

https://www.norfolk.gov/1208/Becoming-a-911-Telecommunicator

Essential Functions

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

+ Responds to emergency requests by answering multi-line telephones, including NG911 lines, SMS/Text, and entering data into computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system.

+ Dispatch police, fire, and/or emergency medical service (EMS) units by relaying information to street units, verifying information, and monitoring radio transmission.

+ Provide additional assistance to personnel, citizens, and the general public by searching for warrants, locating phone numbers and addresses, contacting outside agencies regarding power failures, gas leaks or other issues, and using the computer to access DMV records, gun licenses, and other relevant information.

+ Must type a minimum 30 words per minute. Keyboard proficiency is required to effectively work in this position.

+ Attend in-house Public Safety Telecommunicator academy, attaining the following certifications: Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD), Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and Virginia Criminal Information Network/National Crime Information Center (VCIN/NCIC) certification.

+ Train and certify on Norfolk 911 call handling equipment (CHE), to include multi-line NG911 and administrative phone lines and associated equipment.

+ Train and certify on Police and Fire/EMS radio dispatch channels and associated equipment.

+ Answer stressful calls while entering data into computer aided dispatch system (CAD) for Police/Fire/EMS dispatch.

+ Ability to speak clearly and effectively control a conversation with distressed callers.

+ Ability to read maps, reference books, technical manuals, medical cards, and related correspondence.

+ Work involves choices of actions within limits set by standard practices and procedures. Mature and professional judgment is required to apply the proper course of action.

+ Maintain communication with other departments which may involve decision-making for public safety purposes.

+ Ability to work with various local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

Education/Experience

Required:

+ Work requires knowledge necessary to understand basic operational, technical, or office processes. Level of knowledge equivalent to four years of high school or equivalency.

+ Six (6) months of experience as a Public Safety Telecommunicator.

+ Type a minimum of thirty (30) words per minute (WPM).

Preferred:

+ Ability to obtain the following certifications within six months; Virginia Criminal Information Network/National Crime Information Center (VCIN/NCIC), CPR, In-house Academy, Emergency Medical Dispatch, Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (Dispatcher).

+ The ability to easily navigate a desktop computer and direct customer service in a stressful environment is a plus.

Additional Information & Requirements

Working Hours: 12-hour workdays within an 84-hour pay period:

+ 3 days off, 2 days on, 2 days off, 3 days on, 2 days off, 2 days on, cycle repeats.

+ The shift times are Days 7:00 am - 7:00 pm; Nights 7:00 pm - 7:00 am. These shifts will be rotating on a monthly basis

Practice Typing Test:

If you’d like to brush up on your typing skills, here’s a practice link you can use. https://thepracticetest.com/typing/tests/business-topics/

+ Please Note: While completion of the Typing test is a requirement for this position, the following practice test is provided solely for your preparation. This is not the official Typing test used for scoring during the hiring process.

+ Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.

+ Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization.

+ Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.

+ Retirement

If you are hired October 5, 2010, or after to a position with City of Norfolk Retirement System benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

+ The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self-development and education. Permanent full-time and permanent part-time classified, unclassified permanent, full-time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant’s school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.

NOTE:

The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.

Non-City

Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.

01

The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for specific experience being sought. Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. Do not answer "see resume" or "see application" as these are not valid answers. Please note that if you are invited to be interviewed by the department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.

+ I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.

02

Are you a current City of Norfolk employee?

+ Yes

+ No

03

If you were referred for this position by a current City of Norfolk employee, please provide the employee's full name, department, and job title, and your relationship to the employee. If not, please indicate by typing "N/A."

04

Please select the highest level of education you have completed.

+ High School Diploma/GED

+ Some College (6 months or more)

+ Vocational/Technical Degree

+ Associate's Degree

+ Bachelor's Degree or higher

05

A keyboard typing test will be administered for this position. Please select the response that best describes your typing speed. 30 words per minute minimum is required for this position.

+ I do not type

+ Less than 30 WPM

+ 30-60 WPM

+ More than 60 WPM

06

Do you have a minimum of 6-months experience as a certified telecommunicator and 911 call taker? Please list your experience.

+ Yes

+ No

07

This position requires the ability to work a rotating schedule that includes nights, Saturday hours. Are you able and willing to accept this scheduling requirement?

+ Yes

+ No

08

This is an Essential Employee position. The hired candidate is required to report to work during inclement weather, emergency situations, shift work, or as staffing and business needs dictate. Are you willing and able to meet this requirement?

+ Yes

+ No

09

Have you completed the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (VA DCJS) course for Telecommunicators?

+ Yes

+ No

10

Have you taken courses in public safety, law enforcement, or fire/EMS, including any training through a vocational or technical program?

+ Yes

+ No

11

If you answered Yes to the previous question, please indicate your experience in public safety, law enforcement, or fire/EMS, including any training through a vocational or technical program. If no experience, type N/A

12

This position requires the successful completion of the Typing Test. This test will be sent to you for completion within 1 week of submitting your application and will be required to provide your typing certification to Talent Acquisition Team in order to move forward in the process. Do you understand this requirement?

+ Yes

+ No

13

Are you a US or Naturalized citizen or have lived in the US for 10 consecutive years?

+ Yes

+ No

14

Do you possess a current CPR Certification?

+ Yes

+ No

15

Please provide an explanation of any periods of unemployment that are 30 days or longer. Indicate N/A if you have not experienced any periods of unemployment.

16

A conviction (felony or misdemeanor) does not necessarily eliminate you from employment consideration. A criminal background check is conducted on all new hires. Failure to disclose all criminal convictions may result in disqualification from employment consideration or may result in dismissal from City of Norfolk employment if you have been hired. The nature of the offense; the time that has passed since the offense, conduct and/or completion of the sentence; and the nature of the job sought may be taken into consideration. Have you ever been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor?

+ I have been convicted of a felony

+ I have been convicted of a misdemeanor

+ I have been convicted of a felony and a misdemeanor

+ I have not been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor

17

If you answered, that you have been convicted of a felony and/or a misdemeanor, please provide an explanation including the city, state and date of the conviction. This excludes minor traffic violations such as speeding tickets.

18

Please indicate your veteran status. (A copy of your long form DD-214 may be required)

+ I am not a Veteran

+ I am a Veteran

+ I am a Disabled Veteran

Required Question

Employer

City of Norfolk

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