Dispatcher (Public Safety Telecommunicator)

Salary : $55,057.60 - $85,342.40 Annually
Location : Public Safety Communications Center, 2101 47th Terrace East, Bradenton, FL 34203, FL
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-50003
Bureau: ADMINISTRATIVE
Opening Date: 01/05/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


General Description of Duties
Receives calls for emergency and non-emergency services, screens calls and dispatches law enforcement or other appropriate response vehicles to investigate; operates a computer-aided dispatch system and computerized electronics communication system; monitors radio traffic, and location information of law enforcement personnel.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Ability to accurately enter and/or retrieve information from various computer systems and/or programs in a timely manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly to emergency situations, recognize and understand others' reactions, use logic and reasoning to identify solutions, and make effective decisions while in stressful situations and circumstances.
• Ability to prioritize work.
• Knowledge of the geography of the county and its road network.
• Knowledge of dispatch codes and signals used to respond to emergency and non-emergency services.
• Knowledge of FCIC/NCIC rules and regulations, codes, and query forms.
• Knowledge of computerized communications center systems and procedures.
• Skill in the use of computers, two-way radio communications, and various other equipment used to perform daily functions of position.
• Skill in eliciting critical information from citizens in a stressful or life threatening situation.
• Skill in accurately performing data entry at 100 keystrokes per minute.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES

• Required to speak and hear clearly, sit for extended periods of time, normally 12-16 hours, and to use hands and fingers to handle or feel. Occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb stairs or balance; and to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Vision abilities include close vision as well as color perception.

Tasks and Policies

• Answers emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
• Operates a state-of-the-art computer aided dispatch (CAD) system and computerized electronics communication system. Screens and inputs calls for service into system including reported crimes(s), using proper event codes.
• Evaluates and prioritizes calls for service to determine the nature of the call and appropriate level of service required.
• Dispatches and monitors radio traffic and location information of law enforcement personnel simultaneously.
• Checks jurisdictional boundaries and notifies other agencies when a call is within their boundaries. Provides assistance as requested.
• Responds to inquiries from law enforcement personnel for information on tag numbers, warrants, and other miscellaneous inquiries. Makes phone calls as needed.
• Maintains communication logs in accordance with state regulations and agency policies.
• Successfully completes all assignments to duties as directed specifications, within specified timeframe and budget as directed and in accordance with agency policies and regulations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

POLICY

• Arrives on time for work, limits breaks and lunches to the allotted time, and leaves on time. Uses leave in accordance with General Orders. Communicates and cooperates with management in providing proper notice of leave; patterns and amounts of leave usage (not including legitimate, properly scheduled and approved leave and protected leave).
• Volume of work accomplished is consistent with position requirements and produced within quality tolerance standards.
• Works with other team members to achieve group goals by contributing ideas in group settings, accepting ideas contributed by others, operating within team rules, participating in team meetings, working with team members to improve job knowledge and skills, putting team goals over personal goals, and supporting team leaders once decisions are made.
• Follows standard office procedures, safety policies and procedures and agency General Orders.
• Maintains good interpersonal relations (the manner in which the employee responds emotionally and verbally) with the public, other employees, and supervisors. This policy also relates to the image the employee projects and includes cleanliness and personal grooming.
• Operates and cares for equipment, tools, and vehicles according to prescribed standards and schedules.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED) required.
• Valid Florida driver license or valid Florida ID required.
• Must become certified as a Florida DOE Public Safety Telecommunicator within twelve (12) months of appointment.
• Must become certified as Emergency Police Dispatcher (EPD within six (6) months of appointment.
• Must be NCIC/FCIC certified or must obtain certification within six (6) months of appointment.
• This is a 24/7 operation. Employee must be able to work flexible hours/schedules.
• Initial employment will be in a trainee status. Entry level salary range applies until after successful completion of all required training, after which salary will be increased.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The Manatee County Sheriff's Office is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for applicants and employees that fosters, maintains and promotes equal employment opportunity for all without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, political affiliation, veteran's status, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, to include transgender status, disability or status in any other group protected by federal, state, or local law.
BENEFITS

• Excellent State Retirement
• Uniforms for Specific Civilian Personnel
• 12 Holidays Per Year (includes employee's birthday)
• Excellent Vacation Plan - Start accruing two weeks of vacation time earned by the end of your first year
• Sick Leave - 12 days per year, accrued by pay period
• Life Insurance - Equals annual base salary
• Health Insurance (optional)
• Dental (optional)
• Take-Home Vehicle for Specific Civilian Personnel
• Career Service - After one year of satisfactory continuous service
• Deferred Compensation Plan (optional)
• Direct Payroll Deposit (any banking institution)
• Disability Insurance (long-term disability)
• College Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Extensive Wellness Program-

01


Are you at least 18 years of age?

• Yes
• No

02


Are you a citizen of the United States or a lawful, permanent resident, granted refugee or asylee status and authorized to work in the United States?

• Yes
• No

03


Which best describes your highest level of education?

• No High School Diploma or Equivalency
• High School Diploma/GED
• Some college
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree

04


Upon review of the job description, are you able to perform the essential functions of the job?

• Yes
• No

05


If you answered "No" to the previous question above, please indicate any reasonable accommodation(s) that will assist you in performing the essential functions of the position.
06


Are you willing and able to work 12 hours shifts ranging from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.?

• Yes
• No

07


Are you willing to work overtime, weekends, nights, rotating shifts, and holidays?

• Yes
• No

08


You may be called in to work on short notice, outside of your regular, scheduled hours. Are you available and willing to report to work when called?

• Yes
• No

09


Are you currently certified as an Emergency Police Dispatcher (EPD) through the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED)?

• Yes
• No

10


Are you currently certified as a Public Safety Telecommunicator through the State of Florida?

• Yes
• No

11


How many years experience do you have working in a 911 Dispatch Center?

• None
• Less than one year
• 1 - 2 years
• 3 - 4 years
• 5+ years

12


How many years experience do you have working in a Law Enforcement Dispatch Center?

• None
• Less than one year
• 1 - 2 years
• 3 - 4 years
• 5+ years

13


In the last twelve (12) months, have you used marijuana, or its derivative?

• Yes
• No

14


Have you ever sold, delivered or manufactured a controlled substance?

• Yes
• No

15


Have you ever illegally used a controlled substance, including marijuana or its derivative, while employed as a law enforcement or corrections officer, while working in a prosecutorial position, or while employed in a position of public safety? (Exception: Any use of marijuana or its derivative while working in the capacity of an undercover operative for the purpose of the investigation)

• Yes
• No

16


In the last three (3) years, have you illegally used any Schedule I through Schedule V, excluding marijuana, (Schedules I through V, as defined in the Controlled Substances Action, 21 U.S.C., Section 812, include but are not limited to, cocaine, crack. lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), amphetamines, methamphetamines, heroin, MDMA, GHB and anabolic steroids)?

• Yes
• No

17


Have you ever illegally used any of the following controlled substance in your lifetime? (Please check all that apply. If none, check the last box, "Not applicable".)

• Amphetamines such as Uppers/Speed
• Barbiturates such as Downers
• Benzodiazephines such as Valium/Darvon
• Cocaine/Crack
• LSD such as Acid/Microdots
• Marijuana or its derivatives
• Methaqualone such as Quaaludes
• Opiates such as Opium/Heroin/Oxycodone
• Phencyclidine such as PCP/Angel Dust
• Any other drug not previously listed
• Not applicable

18


If you answered "Yes", please provide the information listed below or type "N/A" if not applicable.* Drug, how taken, circumstances, number of times illegally obtained/used/supplied/sold.* Date of first time illegally obtained/used/supplied/sold.* Last time illegally obtained/used/sold.
19


Have you been convicted of a DUI in the last 60 months (5 years)?

• Yes
• No

20


Have you been convicted of a DUI more than once in your lifetime?

• Yes
• No

21


Have you ever pled guilty or no contest to, had adjudication withheld, or been convicted of a misdemeanor involving false statements, perjury or domestic violence?

• Yes
• No

22


Have you ever pled guilty or no contest to, had adjudication withheld, or been convicted of a felony offense?

• Yes
• No

23


Have you engaged in sexual abuse or been convicted, or civilly or administratively adjudicated, of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion by a victim who did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse?

• Yes
• No

24


Have you engaged in sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility, juvenile facility, or other institution (as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1997).

• Yes
• No

25


Do you have a tattoo in a visible location on the neck, face, scalp, or hands?(Click here to review the Appearance and Grooming Policy )

• Yes
• No

26


In order to conduct a thorough background investigation, you will be required to provide the website(s) and user name(s) for all social media accounts. In addition, you will be required to "friend" our background investigators on Facebook, if applicable. Do you confirm that on this application you have provided the requested information and will provide them access to your personal accounts?

• Yes
• No
• I do not have any social media accounts, personal websites, or blogs.

27


Have you registered with Selective Service?(NOTE: Registration is required by all males prior to their 26th birthday. If you are a male age 18-25 and have not yet registered, you must do so Females are not required to register at this time and should select 'N/A'.

• Yes
• No
• Exempt
• N/A

Required Question