Emergency Comm Specialist I - Recruit (Sheriff's Office)

Job Number: 790
Salary: $27.55 - $40.37
Department: Sheriff's Office
Division: Communications Training
Location: 13101 E. Broncos Pkwy., Centennial, CO, 80112
Job Type: Hourly Full-Time
Posting Date: 09/13/2026
Closing Date: 09/26/2026

While the full salary range for the Emergency Communications Specialist-I is $27.55 - $40.37 hourly / $57,304.00 - $83,969.60 annually.

Please see below for the anticipated starting salaries.
**Final salary is based on experience**

ANTICIPATED STARTING SALARY IS $28.86 FOR EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST I.

This position is a call taker and requires no experience.

The full salary range for an Emergency Communications Specialist I - $27.55 - $40.37 hourly / $57,304.00 - $83,969.60 annually.

ANTICIPATED STARTING SALARY IS $32.59 - $43.61 FOR EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST II.

This position receives and dispatches calls and requires a minimum of 2 years’ experience.

The full salary range for an Emergency Communications Specialist II - $31.13 - $46.27 hourly / $64,750.40 - $96,241.60

These positions will receive annual pay increases based on a step program.

Top out in pay may be achieved in seven years.

THE NEXT 911 DISPATCHER ACADEMY WILL BEGIN IN

January 2027

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Under the general supervision of an Emergency Communications Supervisor and an Emergency Communications Training Officer, this position is in the Emergency Communications Training Program to learn to perform critical public contact and communications work necessary for the dispatching of the Agency and related cities services to emergency and non-emergency situations, providing operational data to agency personnel.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Answer emergency and non-emergency calls and requests for law enforcement services, receiving essential information relating to the situation.
• Enters call information into computer aided dispatch equipment (CAD) to dispatch deputies and officers to emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Utilizes computer/teletype systems to query and enter operational data.
• Searches agency files and records to locate and relay operational data and information to agency personnel.
• Uses maps, map books, computerized maps, and the internet to determine jurisdictions and properly locate call locations.
• Updates patrol line-ups to correctly reflect patrol personnel on duty and the corresponding assigned vehicle.
• Answers agency business telephone calls; provides routine data and information to telephone inquiries; may transfer/direct inquiries to proper agency staff; may refer telephone calls to responsible outside state, court, agencies, departments, or individuals.
• Monitors and updates CAD with the latest information to remain current with call for service activity and officer’s status.
• Monitors alarm systems.
• Conducts and/or participates in daily and monthly equipment and operator testing to include TTY equipment and individual performance.
• Operates computers and standard office equipment, including commonly used computer software programs as well as any other standard office equipment as required by the position.
• Maintains regular and acceptable attendance at such level as determined at the Sheriff’s Office discretion.
• Is available and willing to work overtime as needed.
• Interacts effectively with others and exercises good judgment when dealing with people in sensitive situations.
• May be assigned other duties as necessary.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of street and road systems, geographical patterns and numerical (address) system of Arapahoe County.
• Ability to operate computer aided dispatch equipment (CAD).
• Ability to work under pressure and utilize stress management skills.
• Excellent multi-tasking skills.
• Ability to listen, talk and type all at the same time.
• Ability to act and react to emergency and/or threatening situations in a manner consistent with the law, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written English.
• Ability to communicate effectively with angry, emotional, and excited persons via telephone.
• Ability to remain calm under urgent circumstances.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of records and information.
• Ability to distinguish different auditory tones.
• Ability to track multiple pieces of information at one time and conduct follow-up as necessary.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, co- workers, and the general public.
• Ability to apply sound reasoning and decision-making.
• Ability to operate computers and commonly used computer software programs, as well as any other standard office equipment as required by the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: High School Diploma or G.E.D. equivalent.

EXPERIENCE: One (1) year of public safety experience.

OR

Any equivalent combination of education and experience that satisfies the requirements of the job as approved by the Sheriff.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EXPERIENCE: Emergency Communications Experience.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess CPR and First Aid certification within the initial status period.
• Must possess CBI Operator Security Number (OSN) within the initial status period.
• Must meet minimum acceptable level of Keystrokes Per Hour (KPH).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position. They are included for informational purposes and are not all inclusive.

Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.

Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.

Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.

• Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery and writing utensils.
• Constantly involved in oral and auditory interaction, enabling interpersonal communication, including automated devices such as the telephone and radio.
• Spends 90% of the time sitting, 5% standing, 5% walking while on the job.
• Occasionally stoops, kneels, crouches and balances while operating office machinery.
• Frequently uses visual capacity including depth perception, color vision, and peripheral vision enabling completion of required office duties.
• Occasionally lifts or carries up to 20 lbs. when moving office supplies or files.

JOB-RELATED CONTACTS:

Contacts are with individuals within the Sheriff’s Office, with other Departments/Organizations and the general public. Specifically, extensive contact occurs with supervisors and the general public. Personal contact with any individual of the public, an inmate or arrestee is an occasional occurrence. Hand-to-hand exchanges and face-to-face verbal communications between the member and the public is seldom required. In this position, contact with blood, bodily fluids or other medical hazards are extremely uncommon. The member should have adequate time to take precautionary and protective measures.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed primarily in an emergency communications center. The work level can fluctuate from minimal to fast-paced and high volume. The employee deals with crisis situations that require them to quickly make major decisions involving people, resources, and property with frequently limited direction.

The Emergency Communications Specialist I Recruit may be asked to work scheduled shifts at any time of the day and on weekends and holidays. Must be able to cope in a safe manner with stressful situations, emotional callers, irate responders, and unprofessional contacts. Members are required to stay calm during highly stressful situations while handling numerous tasks simultaneously.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for prolonged periods. The employee is regularly required to see, hear, talk, stand, twist and use repetitive motions in the conduct of work. The employee is also required to perform light lifting.

BIO-HAZARD NOTICE:

This position has been determined to be a MINIMAL exposure risk to "biohazards" including, but not limited to, viruses, toxins, and blood-borne pathogens, such as HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), HBV (hepatitis B virus), and air-borne transmissions of TB (tuberculosis). Members are advised that exposure to a "biohazard" may result in severe illness and/or death. Members are required by agency policy to use protective equipment and clothing. Inoculation may be required to prevent and/or treat exposures to "biohazards".

YOU MUST PROVIDE A CURRENT VALID EMAIL ADDRESS FOR APPLICATION STATUS NOTIFICATIONS (only one email address is accepted by the system).

BENEFITS:

Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office employees are provided benefits to include, but not limited to, medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, retirement plan and paid time off. For a complete summary of benefits review them at: 2026 Benefits Summary .

401(a) DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN:
Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office employees participate in a mandatory defined benefit program designed to help employees establish a source of income for retirement years. Through the Plan, eligible employees must set aside 9.00 percent, which is subject to change in the coming years, on a pretax basis of which the County matches at 10%. The County also contributes 6.2% to Social Security.

APPLICANT DISQUALIFICATION FACTORS:
Applicants are advised that areas for disqualification from further consideration include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Illegal Drug Use – Marijuana use will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Applicants who have used any other illegal drug use within the past five (5) years will be disqualified.
• Any felony conviction
• Any conviction involving an act of Domestic Violence
• Driving Record - This includes receiving a DUI within the past five (5) years, having your driver's license suspended for any reason within the past five (5) years, and having five (5) or more tickets within the past five (5) years.
• Outside activities which may be deemed a conflict of interest
• Revelation or discovery of assaultive behavior
• Documented record of prior poor work performance
• Unsuccessful completion of any basic requirement
• Inability to perform the essential functions of the position
• Police history - type, frequency and nature of contact(s)
• Providing false or misleading information during the application/selection process

It is the policy of the Sheriff's Office to not discuss the reasons why applicants were not selected for hire. There is no flexibility to this policy. Applicants may be notified of their disqualification at any point in the selection process. If you receive such a notice, it simply means that you do not meet our standards at this time. Receiving this notice does not indicate that you are ineligible to apply with other agencies.

REQUIRED EXAMINATIONS:
The screening process for any position within the Sheriff's Office may include written test(s), an oral interview, skills test(s) and/or other selection methods designed to measure applicants' ability to perform the essential functions of the job they are seeking.

Additional required tests/examinations also include:

• Typing Test: 35 WPM or faster corrected
• eSkill Test (or equivalent)
• Phase I Suitability Exam
• Polygraph Examination

Additional screening may include:

• Psychological Evaluation
• Medical Examination, including a drug screen
• Background Investigation - This will include, but is not limited to, contact with the applicant's former employers, associates, neighbors and other pertinent sources. Applicant's military history, school records, police records and driving record will also be investigated. All examinations are conducted by qualified/licensed individuals designated by the Sheriff's Office at the Sheriff's Office expense.

EXPECTED DURATION OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS:
Due to the nature of the application and selection process for the Sheriff's Office, applicants can reasonably expect the application process to take a significant amount of time to complete before a decision is made to hire or not to hire. Typically, it takes approximately six (6) to twelve (12) weeks from the date of application to complete the entire selection process. The length of time it takes to complete the process can vary depending on a variety of factors. Please note that this is an estimated duration of the selection process.

WORK SCHEDULES:
Employees are required to work the time periods and/or shifts, rotational and/or stationary, and location assignment, consistent with the needs of the Sheriff's Office.

DUTY ASSIGNMENTS:
All applicants hired by the Sheriff serve at the pleasure of the Sheriff of Arapahoe County and may be assigned to any of the agencies bureaus, sections or units at the discretion of the Sheriff or his duly appointed representative. Employment is at the will and pleasure of the Sheriff, per Colorado State Statute: 30-10-506. Written policies and other manuals do not alter the at will status of employment.

COMMUNITY POLICING:
The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office is committed to the implementation of the community-policing concept. Community policing is an organizational strategy and philosophy which emphasizes problem solving partnerships between the Sheriff's Office, neighborhoods, and businesses working together to create a better quality of life within the community.

INITIAL STATUS PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT:
Successful applicants are subject to an initial status period of employment. This initial status period is twelve (12) months for all positions. The initial status period is regarded as part of the applicant's examination process and will be utilized for purposes of employee evaluation, training and adjustment to the demands of the profession. New employees, who fail to perform satisfactorily during the period, may be separated from the Sheriff's Office, depending on the circumstance of each case.

POLICY ON REAPPLICATION:
Applicants who failed a written test may reapply and retest no sooner than three (3) or six (6) months (position dependent) from the date they took the written test. Applicants who failed an interview may reapply and retest no sooner that six (6) months from the date they received notification of non-selection. All other applicants who are disqualified can reapply with the Sheriff's Office no sooner than one (1) year from the date of notification of non-selection.

This job announcement does not constitute a contract of employment. Should there be any discrepancy or error in this job announcement, the applicable policy or pay rate will apply. The Sheriff's Office retains the right to amend this job announcement at any time without notice.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Should you require an accommodation to apply for this position, please contact Human Resources.

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