Public Safety Telecommunicator

Public Safety Telecommunicator

The City of Rochester is committed to a community where all members feel a sense of belonging. We commit to recognizing the diversity of our community members, listening to all voices and providing equitable services to create an inclusive place to live, play and work. We believe equity should be at the center of all our work. We strive to represent our community in our teammates, as we know that diverse and inclusive teams are more innovative, and have an empowering impact on the work, progress and culture of our community. It takes us all working together

Nature of Work As a Public Safety Telecommunicator, you are the first first responder—the calm voice in critical moments. You gather essential information, make rapid decisions, and ensure the right help reaches the right place at the right time. This role requires focus, attention to detail, and the ability to stay composed under pressure. In this role you will:

• Answer and assess emergency and non-emergency calls for police, fire, emergency medical (EMS) and rescue services.
• Operate computer-aided dispatch (CAD), multi-line phone systems, and radio communications equipment
• Prioritize calls and determine appropriate response levels
• Dispatch emergency personnel and monitor responder safety
• Document critical information clearly and concisely while managing multiple systems simultaneously (typically 4-6 screens)

Work is performed under the general direction of a Public Safety Communications Manager and in accordance with established procedures and protocols.

Work Schedule and Conditions

• 12-hour shifts 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
• Includes nights, weekends and holidays
• Rotating schedule with weekdays off

Wage The 2026 starting wage is $32.33 to $37.10 per hour depending on experience. The 2026 wage range extends to $42.63 for those in the role 5 years. Shift differential of $3.50 added for hours worked between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM

Benefits This position is eligible for benefits offered by the City of Rochester. Please check out the benefits tab at the top of the page for more details.

To have your application considered for the first round of interviews, please apply by Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Candidates selected to move forward will be required to complete a pre-employment skills assessment. Finalists will also complete an additional assessment as part of the interview process. The City of Rochester will not sponsor or transfer visas for this position including F1 OPT STEM.

Duties and Responsibilities The work below is representative of the scope of work performed within this job classification. Individual job duties will vary based on work assignment.

*Serve as a public safety answering point (PSAP) telecommunicator

• Answer incoming telephone lines and interpret information from callers on emergency 911 and non-emergency telephone lines, by text message or by online request.
• Determine nature, location, priority and the correct course of action while following established procedures.
• Direct or assign requests for emergency and non-emergency assistance to the appropriate law enforcement, fire or emergency medical service agency.
• Maintain status updates and location of emergency personnel and monitor safety throughout incidents.
• Dispatch appropriate equipment as required.
• Operate telephones, radios, pagers, computer systems, recording equipment, intercoms, etc. to interact with and direct field personnel.
• Provide essential communications support for Law Enforcement, Fire, and EMS units in the field.

*Process data through other local, state and federal agencies

• Input data into local, state, and federal computer systems and query data for wanted persons, vehicles, and property.
• Make proper entries and deletions from local, state, and federal computer systems.
• Conduct driver's license and motor vehicle checks using computerized file information as requested.

*Perform other related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience High school diploma or equivalent Special Requirements

• Individuals hired must acquire State of Minnesota Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) certification within six (6) months from date of hire
• This position requires completion of a finger-printed background investigation as a condition of employment
• This position requires successful completion of a multi-tasking skills test and a pre-employment screening evaluation

Desirable Qualifications

• A degree in Communications, Criminal Justice, or a related field
• One (1) year experience in communications operations, preferably as a call taker or dispatcher
• One (1) year computer experience with PC keyboarding and multi-tasking skills
• State of Minnesota Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) certification
• Experience speaking and understanding additional language(s)
• Other relevant professional licenses and/or certifications

Additional Information

Physical and Environmental Criteria In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation. In consideration of the overall amount of physical effort required to perform this position, the work is best described as Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Physical demands that may be required continuously (2/3 or more of the time), frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time), and occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time) are noted below: Continuous demands: sitting, fine dexterity, and simultaneous use of the hands and wrists. Occasional demands: standing, walking. Sensory requirements necessary in the performance of the essential functions of this position include: sight, hearing, and touch.