911 - EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Salary : $44,720.00 - $56,513.60 Annually
Location : Lynchburg, VA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 03542
Department: Police
Division: Emergency Communications
Opening Date: 02/10/2026


Description
Are you looking for an exciting and rewarding career? Consider a position as an
Emergency Communications Officer.
Base rate: $21.50 per hour

$5,000 bonus to be paid after completion of initial training.


The Emergency Communications Officer is a critical part of accomplishing the public safety mission for the City of Lynchburg. This is a fast-paced, 24/7 operation and requires applicants to be available to work any shift, including holidays, evenings, and weekends. Applicants must also be able to multi-task and prioritize demands.

Applicants must be able to type a minimum of 38 words per minute. To see if you can type 38 words per minute (or to practice), click


The City of Lynchburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages all qualified candidates to apply.
The 911 Emergency Communications Dispatcher is responsible for receiving emergency and non-emergency calls for service and dispatching Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services in a fast-paced, high-stress environment. This position plays a critical role in public safety by gathering accurate information, prioritizing calls, and coordinating appropriate emergency responses while maintaining professionalism, accuracy, and composure.

Essential Duties

• Process 911 and non-emergency calls for police, fire, EMS, rescue, and public works
• Assess calls by obtaining crucial and pertinent information, frequently from hysterical or irate callers, in order
• to classify and prioritize problems and to determine and coordinate the appropriate response by emergency personnel and equipment
• Provide necessary Emergency Medical Dispatch instructions to callers experiencing medical crises
• Monitor public safety units and maintain status of each to effectively coordinate response
• Handle and determine dissemination of time-sensitive and confidential information
• Operate various complex communications equipment, such as NCIC, 800 MHz regional radio system, and computer aided dispatch system
• Send, receive, and disseminate messages to and from other agencies and jurisdictions through the Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN)
• Execute extensive file searches and updates relative to location history, hazard information and record management data
• Administer appropriate notifications, such as alarm notifications, wrecker service, etc., as requested by public safety responders' performance outcomes.

Additional Duties

• Other duties to provide direct or indirect service to the citizens may be assigned
• When unusual situations occur and/or the City Manager declares a State of Emergency, all City employees may be required to accept special assignments and perform as needed to ensure appropriate service delivery
• Provide testimony in criminal court proceedings
• Coordinates daily with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the National Warning System (NAWAS)

Supervision
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Minimum Education and Experience Required
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.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or GED, and customer service and/or telemarketing experience required. Associate's degree with major coursework in communications and/or public safety preferred.
Additional Requirements

• Must pass a thorough background examination, a polygraph, and a credit investigation.
• Ability to be certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Dispatcher through successful completion of state-mandated training
• Ability to obtain NCIC/VCIN certification
• This position requires eligibility for access to the Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN). Must be a United States citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States who is eligible for naturalization.
• Ability to be certified in CPR and Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) during the initial training period

Must successfully complete IS100 and IS700 National Incident Management (NIMS) training within 90 days of employment. May also be required to complete higher levels of NIMS training as determined appropriate for the position.
The City offers an array of benefits combined with direct salary/wages in order to establish a total compensation package that supports the City's goals of attracting, rewarding, and retaining employees who are both representatives of the community and are also able to deliver exceptional services.

• Employees in full-time positions are eligible for the following benefits:
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Retirement through the Virginia Retirement System (VRS);
    the City's contribution is based on a rate determined bi-annually by the VRS Board and employees pay 5% of base pay (pre-tax) towards their VRS benefit
  • Life insurance at no cost to the employee
  • Optional benefits such as 457 deferred compensation, Roth IRA, flexible spending accounts, etc.
  • Eligibility for parental leave and tuition assistance
  • Paid Time Off
• Employees in hourly and part-time positions may be eligible for benefits depending on the position

Employees of the City of Lynchburg may also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program for federal student loans

Additional information about City benefits can be found on our and in the
01


Are you a citizen of the United States?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have a High School Diploma or GED?
03


How many words can you type in 1 minute (not including errors)? If you do not know your typing speed, you can take a typing test at
04


This job requires working rotating 12-hour shifts, including weekends and holidays. The shift hours are 7:00 am - 7:00pm or 7:00 pm - 7:00 am. Are you willing and available to work ALL shifts and assignments?
05


Have you previously applied with the City of Lynchburg Police Department? If yes when, and for what position?
06


Please detail your customer service experience, telemarketing experience, or prior experience as an Emergency Communications Officer.
07


If you have no record of previous employment please provide detail regarding your time spent since graduation from High School or obtaining your GED.
08


Have you served in the armed forces?

• Yes
• No

09


If you have served in the Armed Forces and have been discharged, was it dishonorable or for bad conduct? If so please explain in detail.
10


You will be required to provide copies of your educational transcripts, birth certificate, DD 214 (if applicable) and DCJS Certification (if applicable). Please have these documents readily available to expedite the hiring process. Do you understand this requirement?

• Yes
• No

11


Do you currently have any bills in collections (exclude debt protected in bankruptcies)? If you do please explain in detail your plan to have these bills paid in full.
12


Have you ever purchased, manufactured, stored, sold, acted as a lookout, delivered, smuggled, sent through the mail, transported another person to illegally buy or sell drugs or unlawfully benefitted in any way from the sale of prescription or illegal drugs? If yes, please explain including dates.
13


Have you used marijuana in the past 6 months? If so, when was the month and year of last usage?
14


In the last 4 years, have you ever unlawfully used any of the following: PCP, Heroin, Cocaine/Crack, Methamphetamine, Ecstasy, LSD, Psilocybin (mushrooms) or Rohypnol/Other Date Rape Drugs?
15


Please provide the last four digits of your Social Security number for verification purposes.
16


DMV Release Notice: This position requires a valid driver's license and acceptable driving history. I hereby certify that I have read and understand the DMV Record Release Notice and give the City permission to obtain my driving record.

• Yes
• No

17


Please provide your drivers license number so that your driving record can be obtained.
18


Have you had a valid drivers license continuously for at least 3 years?
19


Out of State Applicants and/or Applicants who have had a VA driver's license for less than 3 years: Do you agree to provide a copy of your driving record from the state you are currently licensed or have been licensed in when requested?

• yes
• no
• n/a

20


If you answered yes to the above question, please provide the name of the State where your license was issued:
21


Have you ever had your drivers license suspended, revoked or refused? Please explain.
22


Have you been charged with or convicted of a DUI related offense within the last 3 years?
23


Have you ever been convicted of a felony? Please explain and provide the year this occurred.
24


Have you ever been convicted of a domestic assault and/or battery offense?

• Yes
• No

25


Have you ever been under a protective order by the court? If yes, please explain.
26


Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor? Please explain and provide the year this occurred.
27


Are you now, or have you ever been a member of a criminal street gang, or group that furthers or promotes criminal activity? If yes please explain.
28


Do you have any visible tattoos on your arms, neck, hands and/or face? If yes, please give location(s) and describe the tattoo(s). (You will be required to provide a photo of these at a later date in the hiring process.)
29


Have you ever been disciplined or punished for any violation related to lying, cheating, stealing, or something else that would bring your integrity into question? If yes, please explain.
30


Have you ever been disciplined, suspended, terminated, asked to resign, or received punitive actions at a current or former place of employment? If yes, please explain.
31


Primary communication during the hiring process is done through the email address View email address on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io. Please check your spam/junk folders on a regular basis in addition to your inbox for communication from the Recruiting office. Do you agree to check your email?

• Yes
• No

32


This job requires you to pass a drug and alcohol screen, a thorough background examination, a polygraph, and credit investigation. Would you be willing to participate in these examinations?
33


I certify that the information provided on this application is truthful and accurate to my knowledge. I understand that any intentional omission of information and dishonestly will eliminate me from further consideration of employment with the Lynchburg Police Department.

• Yes
• No

Required Question