Public Safety Dispatcher I

Public Safety Dispatcher

Join the City of Reno and become part of an amazing team that strives every day to make our community a place we are all proud to call home. Are you calm under pressure, quick to think, and passionate about serving your community? As a Public Safety Dispatcher, you'll be the vital first point of contact during emergencies, making a real difference when people need help most.

The ideal candidate will, under general supervision, receive, evaluate, prioritize, and dispatch emergency and non-emergency calls for service, ensuring first responders receive the critical information needed to protect lives and property. The incumbent will operate advanced communications technology including radio systems, multi-line telephones, TDD, telephony, and multiple computer-aided dispatch systems to provide fast, accurate, and compassionate service in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

We currently have multiple vacancies in the Public Safety Dispatch Department in which hiring will begin immediately following the close of this recruitment. This recruitment will also establish a list for future vacancies, which will be filled as they occur. This is an open competitive opportunity for all qualified applicants. The City of Reno is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to everyone. This commitment is an integral part of our efforts to ensure that we have a diverse and representative workforce that serves the community of Reno.

Examples of Essential Functions

• Receive, evaluate and prioritize emergency and non-emergency police, fire, medical, and rescue calls for service; determine nature, location and pertinent details of incidents and dispatching of field units to situations as necessary for multiple public safety agencies in the area.
• Operate a variety of emergency dispatch and communications equipment including a Next Generation E911 (NG911) telephony system, an 800 MHz radio system, a Public Safety Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and general office equipment; enter pertinent information regarding calls for service into various computer systems, according to established procedures and guidelines.
• Maintain awareness of field unit activities within the computer aided dispatch (CAD) and manual card systems; communicate with field units through radios in accordance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations; maintain status and location of units.
• Coordinate the receipt of both emergency and non-emergency calls and relay information and assistance with other law enforcement, fire, medical, and other emergency response agencies as required.
• Evaluate the nature and severity of the calling party's situation to assist in determining call priority and necessary responding equipment.
• Simultaneously respond to multiple emergencies on multiple radio channels from various public safety agencies, including law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services.
• Retrieve and enter information from local, state and federal computer networks regarding wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles and other related information; relay information to field units.
• Maintain accurate and complete logs and records of all activities and calls that are received and dispatched.
• Perform a variety of functions related to public safety dispatch operations.
• Perform related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

The following qualifications must be met by applicants at the time of application. Education: Completion of a high school diploma or the equivalent. Additional Information: PLEASE READ THE IMPORTANT STATEMENTS BELOW ABOUT THIS POSITION

• The City of Reno Public Safety Dispatchers are the lifeline that connects the community to emergency and public safety services
• Dispatchers routinely handle phone situations that are exciting, challenging, violent, alarming, and emotionally chargedincluding conflict, anger, happiness, and reliefall under emergency circumstances and strict deadlines. This role requires the ability to support victims, survivors, and witnesses of emergencies and crimes with compassion, while gathering and documenting essential information accurately, even when callers are experiencing distress or intense emotions.
• This position is entrusted with highly confidential information regarding emergency situations and details, supporting both callers and public safety personnel in real time as incidents unfold. Dispatchers must remain calm, focused, and organized, able to instantly recall and relay critical information to keep all parties informed throughout rapidly evolving situations.
• Calls handled by dispatchers can range from exciting and challenging to violent, alarming, and emotionally chargedoften involving conflict, distress, anger, happiness, and reliefall under emergency circumstances and strict deadlines. Compassion, composure, and emotional intelligence are essential for managing these dynamic interactions.
• The role requires working varying shifts, including weekends and holidays year-round, with overtime as needed. Candidates must be fully prepared to commit to these demanding conditions.

Success in this position depends on excellent interpersonal, customer service, organizational, coping, diplomacy, teamwork, tact, compassion, and patience skills. Only apply if you are confident in your ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment. Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.