911 Dispatcher

Salary : $59,737.60 - $75,587.20 Annually
Location : Police - 505 1st St SW Cedar Rapids, IA
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Police
Division: Joint Communications
Opening Date: 10/19/2026
Closing Date: 11/2/2026 11:59 PM Central
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: JOINT_COMMUNICATIONS

Are you ready to make a real difference in your community? Join our team as a 911 Dispatcher and become a vital lifeline between those in need and emergency services. We're looking for a calm, compassionate, and quick-thinking individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and are passionate about helping others.

About our Organization
At the City, we are committed to employing individuals who reflect our community's diverse backgrounds, and this position is crucial in the success and strategic direction of a growing and evolving community. We appreciate and leverage the vast experience individuals bring beyond the technical requirements of a job. If you are an individual with similar experience listed here please consider applying. Experience and skills combined with commitment to our core values is key to building a greater community now and for the next generation.

About our Community

Nestled in the heart of Iowa, Cedar Rapids is our vibrant and diverse community known for its rich history, culture, and natural beauty. Our city has a strong sense of community which can be seen at any of our numerous parks, recreational opportunities, and family-friendly events year round. You can also explore our thriving downtown district, filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment options, or take a stroll along the Cedar River, which runs through the heart of the city.

About this Opportunity
The first-line public safety professional that serves as the first of the first responders, responding to every class of emergency for which public safety services are requested. The Public Safety Telecommunicator's primary responsibility is to receive and process emergency and non-emergency calls for police, fire, emergency medical and other public safety services via telephone and other communication devices.


Work is performed under immediate supervision but has some discretion in sending information or dispatching personnel, within closely prescribed and established procedural guidelines.


The City of Cedar Rapids does not offer sponsorship for employment authorization.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Processes emergency and non-emergency calls for service while controlling the caller, collecting event specific information, assessing the information, selecting the proper call type and causing the appropriate response;
• Interacts with the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system including accurate data entry, effective screen navigation, prompt information retrieval and system integration;
• Communicates with emergency personnel on the City's 800 MHz radio system by the appropriate use of talk groups or frequency coordination;
• Demonstrates an understanding of the applicability of the incident command/management system, as authorized by the Joint Communications Agency /Police and Fire policy / procedure;
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies, procedures and safety practices;
• Attends work regularly at the designated place and time;
• Supports continuous process improvement initiatives;
• Performs related work as required.

Qualifications
Required Education and Experience

• Graduation from High School or GED; and
• Experience in dispatching or in customer service, preferred.

OR,

• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse populations

Required Licenses or Certifications

• Must be able to obtain National crime Information Center (NCIC) within six months from date of hire
• Must successfully complete NCIC background check, polygraph examination and be fingerprinted upon acceptance of offer of employment
• Pass and maintain the following within on year: CPR, Medical Dispatch, Emergency Fire Dispatch and Emergency Police Dispatch

Supplemental Information
Work Schedule

• During training, new hires may rotate through all three shifts (7:00 AM-3:00 PM, 3:00 PM-11:00 PM, and 11:00 PM-7:00 AM). After training, shift assignments are determined through the departmental shift bid process based on seniority, and schedules may vary depending on operational needs;
• Applicants should be prepared to work weekends, holidays, and varied shifts, including evenings, overnights, and overtime, as needed;
• Flexibility is essential, as this is a 24/7/365 operation and all staff must be willing to work any shift.

Hourly Rate Employees in this classification receive a step increase on their anniversary. The steps effective 07/01/2026 include:New Hire1 year2 years3 years4 years5 years6 years$28.72$29.86$31.05$32.30$33.59$34.94$36.34**Upon hire of a currently certified Dispatcher from an outside jurisdiction, entry pay will be calculated at the Joint Communications bargaining contract pay step that corresponds to that Dispatcher's full-time, certified years of service. Dispatchers hired at a higher pay step will receive step increases annually on their step date as described in the contract.

Shift Differential Additional $0.35 per hour for employees who are working the 3:00pm-11:00pm shift at straight time and $0.40 per hour for employees who are working the 11:00pm-7:00am shift at straight time.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement
The City of Cedar Rapids is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All job applicants will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability and genetic information (including family medical history).

Applicants with Disabilities
We respect and value people with disabilities and are committed to providing a workplace culture of disability inclusion. People with disabilities are supported during the hiring process and are encouraged to apply for employment with the City of Cedar Rapids. In support of the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations will be provided to those in need of assistance with the application and interview process. To request an accommodation, contact the City's Human Resources department by phone at View phone number on click.appcast.io or by email at View email address on click.appcast.io.
We offer benefits and beyond for our employees and their families!

The City of Cedar Rapids provides outstanding pay, benefits, time off, including:

• Medical co-insurance for participating providers of 90% plan / 10% employee
• Competitive pay
• Iowa Public Employee's Retirement Pension plans with a 9.44% City contribution and 6.29% employee contribution
• 457 deferred compensation employer match program (City will match up to 0.05% of your annual income each calendar year-learn more here.)
• Flexible Spending (Health Care and Dependent Care Accounts- learn more here)
• An average of 11 paid holidays per year
• Up to $3,000 per year in educational assistance
• 4 weeks of paid parental leave
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness - (The PSLF program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer. )
• Annual pay increases
• Fiscal year pay increases as determined by bargaining contract
• Employees are eligible for longevity pay after 5 years of continuous service
• 100% City paid basic life insurance
• Dental, vision, long-term disability, and supplemental life insurance
• View our
• Expansive job growth opportunities
• Commitment to professional development
• Private health & wellness coaching partnerships

01


For questions 1-11, please initial each statement signifying that you have read and understood each factor. Maintain physical presence at workstation other than authorized breaks and lunch periods.
02


Lunch and rest breaks are scheduled based on daily operational needs.
03


Work in a confined work area in close proximity to other employees.
04


Have limited opportunity to socialize with your fellow workers during your work shift.
05


Work within an organization structured on a "military model". That is, conform to grooming standards and work in a structured chain of command.
06


Work at a rapid pace over which you have no control.
07


Maintain intense concentration and attention for extended periods of time.
08


Speak with persons on the telephone that may be intoxicated, incoherent, obscene, irrational, or abusive.
09


Respond to calls when violent crimes are in progress.
10


Make rapid decisions based upon little information, decisions upon which the health and safety of other persons are dependent.
11


Deal with life threatening emergency situations while maintaining a calm, professional demeanor.
12


Please briefly describe your experience in dispatching or a related communications field.
13


Please list any certifications or training you have relevant to this position.
14


I authorize the City of Cedar Rapids to investigate my personal background, work history, education and police record as necessary to verify the information provided in my employment application and to determine my fitness to hold the position I have applied for. I authorize all previous employers and educational institutions to furnish the City of Cedar Rapids, to the extent permitted by law, all information they may have concerning me. I release them and the City of Cedar Rapids from all liability that may arise from such an investigation.

• Yes
• No

Required Question