Dispatcher

Salary : $46,883.20 - $66,664.00 Annually
Location : Pelham Police Department
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202600031
Department: Police Department
Division: Police Communications
Opening Date: 07/02/2026
Closing Date: 9/30/2026 5:00 PM Central


Description


Are you a master of communication? A calm and collected problem solver? Do you thrive in fast-paced environments where every second counts? If you answered yes to these questions, we have an incredible opportunity for you!

Join our dynamic team as a Police Dispatcher and become an essential link between our community and law enforcement. As a police dispatcher, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of our citizens, officers, and emergency responders.

Representative List of Essential Duties and Responsibilities


This is skilled, responsible communications work in receiving and transmitting messages via radio, telephone, teletype, and computer. Employees are responsible for transmitting requests to the proper party and for dispatching proper equipment and personnel as needed or as directed.

• Receives various calls, reports and requests for police and fire assistance; notifies law enforcement, fire department or service vehicles to respond, providing location, occurrence description, etc.; dispatches equipment other than patrol cars, i.e., radio-equipped service vehicles and ambulances.
• Operates an ACJIC teletype, two-way radios, computer, and telephone in performing communication duties such as transmitting data to personnel in the field and to ACJIC and NCIC.
• Maintains a computer file for stolen vehicles, property and wanted persons; provides officers with motor vehicle registration information; maintains incident, arrest, bail bond, warrant, complaint and radio reports, logs, and files, and maintains complaint and radio logs for the fire department; operates Computer-Aided-Dispatch computer.
• Provides receipts for payment of bonds when the Magistrate's Office is closed; deposits and accounts for collected funds; maintains records of various financial transactions.
• Provides jail services to ensure adequate prisoner care and efficient operations of detention facilities; assists with booking of individuals charged with crimes; maintains register of prisoners.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationship with others

Competency: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner.
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs.
• Teamwork - Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Contributes to building a positive team spirit.
• Leadership - Inspires respect and trust.
• Ethics - Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures.
• Accountability - Takes responsibility for own actions.;
• Professionalism - Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.
• Quality - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality.

Qualifications


To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Must have no felony or serious misdemeanor criminal convictions.


Education/Experience:

• Must possess a high school diploma or GED certificate.
• Completion of some college or university course work in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Police Science, Criminology, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred.

Certificates, Licenses and Special Requirements:
In order to maintain and continue employment as a Dispatcher for the City of Pelham Police Department, an employee must retain the legal right and authority to access information from and through the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center (ACJIC) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer systems. Conviction of any felony, or any other crime that results in the loss of an employee's right to access said computer systems, or a sustained allegation of breach of the rules governing operation and access to said computer systems which results in a decision by either ACJIC or NCIC to terminate an employee's right and/or authority to access, operate, or receive information through said computer systems will immediately disqualify said employee from continued employment for the City of Pelham.

Language Ability:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Speak English clearly, distinctly, and concisely at a volume level satisfactory for the proper operation of two-way radio and telephone systems utilized by the police and fire departments.

Hearing, (including background noise rejection) must be sufficient to allow for the routine use of multiple two-way radio systems and standard telephone systems. Communicate verbally and effectively by listening to people and by giving information, direction, and commands. Read, analyze, and interpret maps of streets, highways, business locations, and dwelling locations.

Read and comprehend rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the police and fire departments as well as those of the City Civil Service Law, for purposes of ensuring appropriate employee job performance and conduct. Needs excellent verbal communication skills and effectively speak to someone in an emergency situation. Fluency in Spanish preferred.

Reasoning Ability:
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several variables in standardized situations. Successfully prioritize calls-for-service and inquiries from the general public in order of decreasing danger and/or threat to public safety. Organize and successfully handle multiple tasks at essentially the same time, or within a very short time frame, some of which tasks occur under emergency circumstances. Must be able to remain calm in stressful situations and work well under pressure.

Computer Skills:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should be proficient in relevant technology and software applications required for the position and be able to utilize multiple computer screens at a time.
Supplemental Information

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The work in this position is primarily conducted indoors in an office setting, however, the unique characteristics of a police agency may require the employee to work near a jail and/or other areas of the police department where arrested persons, prisoners and suspects are processed, interviewed, or otherwise detained. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle to feel; reach with both hands and arms. Hand dexterity must be sufficient to effectively and expeditiously utilize standard computer keyboard for Computer-Aided Dispatch operations. The employee is regularly required to talk and listen/hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Eyesight, (i.e., vision) must be sufficient to allow for routine use of computer monitor screens, video surveillance monitor screens, standard size NCIC/ACJIC teletype printouts and standard size computer printouts.

Ability to multi-task between phone, computer, and radio simultaneously. Individual will need to input data while someone is talking and will need to press mute button on phone to talk on radio during emergency calls.

Available to work any shift on any day of the week and be available for emergency call-ups.


The City of Pelham, Alabama, does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex (including pregnancy), color, age, national origin, disability, or any other protected status. We base our hiring decisions on a variety of factors, including skills and ability to perform the job, prior employment experience, employment references as to character and willingness to work, willingness to accept the offered salary and personal interviews. The City of Pelham, Alabama, is an equal-opportunity employer.
Benefits have been made available to employees through the Civil Service Law and approval of the governing body. Benefits are administered through the Human Resources Department. Questions concerning these benefits may be directed to this department. Following are highlights of some of the benefits offered to City of Pelham employees.
Medical Plans:

• - Local Government Health Insurance Board/BCBS
• - Local Government Health Insurance Board/BCBS

Life Insurance and Disability:

• Group Life Insurance - Provided by the City of Pelham for employee
• Supplemental Benefits Plans
  • Voluntary Term Life Insurance
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment
  • Long Term Disability

Retirement & Other Savings:
Holidays & Leave:

• Vacation/Annual Leave
  • Years of Service 1-12
    • Full-Time Employee (Non-First Responder): 8 hours per month
    • Police Patrol (12 Hour Shifts): 8.4 hours per month
    • Fire Shift Personnel (24 Hour Shifts): 10.6 hours per month
  • Years of Service 12-25
    • Full-Time Employee (Non-First Responder): 12 hours per month
    • Police Patrol (12 Hour Shifts): 12.6 hours per month
    • Fire Shift Personnel (24 Hour Shifts): 15.9 hours per month
  • Years of Service 25+
    • Full-Time Employee (Non-First Responder): 16 hours per month
    • Police Patrol (12 Hour Shifts): 16.8 hours per month
    • Fire Shift Personnel (24 Hour Shifts): 21.2 hours per month
  • Annual Carry Over Time
    • Full-Time Employees: 320 hours
    • Police Patrol (12 Hour Shifts): 336 hours
    • Fire Shift Personnel (24 Hour Shifts): 424 hours
• Sick Leave
  • Accrual is 8 hours per month
• Family Medical Leave
• Jury Leave
• Military Leave

Additional Benefits:

• Employee discounts at Ballantrae Golf Club
• Employee discounts at Pelham Racquet Club
• Employee Membership at Pelham Recreation Center
• Spanish Bi-Lingual stipend, must pass a proficiency test prior to receiving stipend.

01


Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Police Science, Criminology, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field?

• High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• Some college courses
• Associate degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Professional degree
• Doctorate degree

02


Have you been convicted of a felony?

• Yes
• No

03


Have you obtained ACJIC/NCIC Certification?

• Yes
• No

04


Are you able to work a flexible work schedule that includes nights, weekends, holidays, and includes varying shifts?

• Yes
• No

05


Are you fluent in both Spanish and English?

• Yes
• No

Required Question