Telecommunicator (911 Dispatch)

Salary : $44,047.00 Annually
Location : Emergency Operations Center, 100 Gracedale Avenue, Nazareth, PA
Job Type: Full time
Job Number: 2026-TCE
Department: Administration
Division: Emergency Management Services
Opening Date: 12/31/2025


Application Requirements
In order to be considered for this position, applicants must successfully submit a completed application prior to the posting deadline. Applications submitted with incomplete or missing education and/or work experience sections will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. These applicants will be disqualified from consideration. The attachment of a resume to the application does not fulfill this requirement and will not prevent incomplete applications from being rejected. Education and work experience fields must be completed, regardless of the presence of an attached resume.

Once the posting closes, all applications will be reviewed. The information provided on the application will be utilized to determine whether or not each applicant meets the Minimum Requirements for this position as noted in the Job Description. We encourage all applicants to provide a comprehensive, concise history of their education, certification, licensing, and employment history. Please read the Minimum Requirements thoroughly and then demonstrate that you meet these requirements on your application. Qualifying applicants will be invited to take the written exam.
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY - Candidates are permitted to take the written exam two (2) times in a twelve (12) month period.

There is a Written Exam for this position. Candidates will be notified via email to schedule their testing session. Candidates will be allowed up to two (2) hours to complete the exam.


The CritiCall Public Safety Dispatcher/Calltaker Pre-Employment test is a computerized test that consists of ten (10) modules, including:

Telecommunicator Personality Test

Keyboarding (25 WPM Requirement)

Reading Comprehension

Decision Making

Data Entry

Data Entry (Audio)

Call Summarization

Cross Referencing

Character Comparison

Prioritization
Practice Keyboarding and Data Entry Tests
For questions regarding this posting, please contact Sherry Christman, Human Resources Analyst, at View email address on click.appcast.io or View phone number on click.appcast.io.
Equal Employment Opportunities - It is the policy of Northampton County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, sex, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability, or any other status protected by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and any other state, federal, or local law.

Job Description

GENERAL PURPOSE The Telecommunicator position serves as the emergency call-taker/dispatcher for emergency and non-emergency requests on E-911 trunked lines, administrative lines, and radio infrastructure at the Northampton County Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). Work includes dispatching of calls to the appropriate discipline, i.e. police, fire, Emergency Medical Service (EMS), municipal, in compliance with Center Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's), as well as the operation of the Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network/National Crime Information Center (CLEAN/NCIC) system as needed.

The 911 Center is a 24/7/365 operation. An applicant eligible for this position MUST be available to work all shifts including nights, holidays, and weekends.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED This position reports directly to the Dispatch Shift Supervisor.


SUPERVISION EXERCISED This position is not responsible for the supervision of other employees or functions.


ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITION Receives emergency and non-emergency calls from the public, as well as public service providers, for public safety services. Accepts calls routed to the 911 Center via both current and future media methods such as, but not limited to, Text-to-911, Video, Text Telephone or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TTY).

Effectively manages each call per established guidelines, policies, and training. Requests information from callers to gather critical information, such as personal information, location, and the nature of the call. Records information, assesses the need for emergency services, determines appropriate response(s) required, and evaluates the relative priority of each response. Dispatches the appropriate response unit(s).

Provides and relays necessary information regarding emergency situations to those individuals requiring notification, including public safety officials and representatives.

Provides Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) (pre-arrival instructions) to persons in need of immediate life-saving intervention, when appropriate.


Utilizes Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), phone system, and Geolocation (GEO) tools to determine location and appropriate municipal protocols for response.


Utilizes TTY transmission equipment for communication with the hearing impaired.

Maintains daily records of calls and dispatch activity.

Maintains the highest level of confidentiality.


Adapts to unique circumstances that are presented by callers and then applies learned skills and established guidelines in resolving situations.


Possesses the ability to cope with highly stressful situations regularly, with minimal supervision.


Works a rotating shift, including nights, weekends, and holidays.


Required to serve as a peer trainer at the discretion of management after the successful completion of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Certified Training Officer (CTO) course.

Operation of NCIC and the CLEAN system for police. Obtaining and maintaining CLEAN/NCIC access is required for this position.

*An employee assigned to this title shall perform a majority, but may not perform all, of the duties listed in this job description. Conversely, minor level duties performed on the job may not be listed. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE - Completion of a high school, or general equivalency, diploma; AND

At least one (1) year of Radio Communications Training, Call Center experience, or Public Safety Agency (Police, Fire, or EMS) experience is preferred.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION - A post offer criminal history check will be completed for all Telecommunicator candidates. Failure to successfully pass the background investigation will be cause for the offer to be rescinded.


URINE DRUG SCREEN - A post offer urine drug screen is a requirement for employment. Failure to successfully pass the urine drug screen will be cause for the offer to be rescinded.

HEARING TEST - A post offer hearing test for various frequency sensitive levels is a requirement for employment. Failure to successfully pass the hearing test will be cause for the offer to be rescinded.

MANDATORY TRAINING - All Telecommunicator candidates must successfully pass the EMD training program, APCO Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST), APCO Fire Service Communications (FSC), APCO Law Enforcement Communications (LEC), National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) 100, 200, 700, 800, NCIC/CLEAN training program, as well as other training programs and certifications as outlined by the Department of Emergency Management. All Telecommunicators must pass all state required exams and maintain required certifications as necessary to continue employment. All mandatory training as outlined by the Department of Emergency Management Services must be completed as an essential function of the job.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Knowledge of office practices and procedures commonly employed in communications, emergency management, and public safety environment.

Knowledge of the geography, highway, and street systems in boroughs and townships within the County of Northampton.

Effective communication skills, including active listening, clarity of speech, and verbal and written communication, as pertinent to public safety communications. Ability to speak clearly and distinctly over electronic media.

Effective computer skills and a level of proficiency necessary to perform data entry quickly and accurately from written, audible, or other sources.

Ability to type 25 words per minute and data entry ability of 3,250 keystrokes per hour.

Ability to interpret geographical information.

Ability to read and interpret maps.


Ability to multi-task. Ability to identify and respond appropriately to emergency and stressful situations simultaneously.

Ability to maintain composure and self-control in order to perform necessary job duties while exposed to high stress situations.

Ability to learn the specific operation, rules, and procedures governing County radio, computer, alarm, and other systems.

Ability to learn computer aided dispatch software program and hardware.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, officials of law enforcement, firefighting and emergency medical care agencies, representatives from other local, State, and Federal agencies, and the public.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English to perform the duties of this position.


TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT Personal computer, keyboard and mouse, CAD software and hardware, communication/radio equipment, TTY transmission equipment, telephone, cell phone, fax machine, copy machine, and State NCIC/CLEAN computer network.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds.


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.

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.


The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet, but may become moderately noisy.

SELECTION GUIDELINES Formal application, rating of education and experience, interview, and reference check as well as job related tests may be required.


The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
FLSA STATUS: FLSA NON-EXEMPT (ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME)
DESIGNATION: CAREER SERVICE
PAY GRADE: RU/GR20
UNION STATUS: AFSCME RESIDUAL NON-PROFESSIONAL UNIT

Updated February 2025
Full-time employees of the County of Northampton are afforded a package of benefits which includes the following:
Medical Insurance
Vision and Prescription
Dental
Life Insurance
Retirement
I. Medical Insurance

Coverage begins for the employee the first of the month following full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Cost to the employee to participate in the plans varies by the coverage selection and number of dependents; and may be subject to collective bargaining, if a union member. The employee may also elect to opt out of the County's medical insurance if proof of coverage through the spouse's employer is provided. Under this arrangement, the employee is provided with an annual $1,500.00 opt out payment.
II. Vision and Prescription

Coverage begins for the employee the first of the month following full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Copayments may vary, subject to collective bargaining, if a union member. Coverage under the vision plan varies and depends upon the employee's choice of doctor and frame selection.
III. Dental Coverage

Coverage begins for the employee the first of the month following full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Copayments may vary, subject to collective bargaining, if a union member.
IV. Life Insurance

A life insurance policy is afforded to full-time employees beginning on the first day of employment, unless specified differently in a collective bargaining agreement. It remains in effect as long as the employee is actively employed and terminates upon resignation or retirement. $20,000 is afforded to all eligible employees.
V. Retirement

All full-time employees and part-time employees working more than 1000 hours per year qualify for County of Northampton retirement benefits, in which employees must contribute 5% of their earnings, and employees may choose to add additional voluntary contributions, not to exceed an additional 10%. Additionally, employees may participate in an optional deferred compensation plan (457(b)) which may provide present tax advantages and future retirement savings. Such arrangements are made directly with the providers and the County will administer payroll deductions only.
01


Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the applicant screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

• Yes
• No

02


The position of Telecommunicator is part of the AFSCME Residual Union and salary is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Starting salary for this position is $21.1766 per hour ($44,047 annually) and is not negotiable. Please select yes to indicate your understanding of the starting salary.

• Yes
• No

03


One function of a Telecommunicator is to copy and/or input information as it is being received while simultaneously comprehending what you have heard, and being able to respond immediately. Do you believe that you are capable of performing this function?

• Yes
• No

04


During training, new Telecommunicators must work an irregular shift schedule as dictated by trainer availability. Are you willing to work an irregular shift schedule during training?

• Yes
• No

05


After training, new Telecommunicators will be assigned to a specific shift, according to availability. Are you willing to work any shift after training?

• Yes
• No

06


Staffing levels must be maintained, even on weekends and holidays. Are you willing to work weekends and holidays?

• Yes
• No

07


This position requires participation in a voluntary and/or mandatory overtime process in order to maintain minimum staffing levels. Are you willing to participate in both voluntary and mandatory overtime processes?

• Yes
• No

Required Question