What Does a Communicator Do?
A Communicator answers emergency calls, gathers essential information, and coordinates the appropriate response by dispatching police and liaising with fire or medical personnel. They must remain calm under pressure, communicate clearly, and make quick decisions to ensure public safety. Their role involves multitasking between phone systems, radios, and dispatch software to manage incidents efficiently and support field units throughout emergencies.
Why Join Us?
- Make a Real Impact – Every call you take could save a life.
- Comprehensive Training – No experience needed; we’ll prepare you.
- Career Growth – Opportunities to advance into supervisory or specialized roles.
- Competitive Salary & Benefits
No Previous Experience Necessary - We Will Train You
The position of Communicator has two roles – a 9-1-1 Call Taker and a Police Dispatcher. All new hires start as a 9-1-1 call taker, answering calls for 9-1-1 and the police non-emergency line. After this training is completed, all Communicators are full trained as a Police Dispatchers, connecting officers with calls for service.
- 9-1-1 Call Taker training includes five weeks of classroom training and approximately eight weeks of live training with a Front-Line Trainer.
- Police Dispatcher training includes an additional two weeks of classroom training and approximately eight weeks of live training with a Front-Line Trainer.
Who We're Looking For
- Excellent verbal communication
- Calm under pressure
- Able to make quick decisions with minimal information
- Being a collaborative, team player
- Excellent listening skills and the ability to relay information
- Ability and resilience to handle emergency and crisis situations
- Empathy and compassion
- Strong multitasking and computer skills
- An ability to type 40 words per minute
- Willingness to work shifts, including nights and weekends
- Previous community involvement and customer service experience
How to Apply
Step 1: Apply Online
Step 2: Attend a Virtual and/or in-person information session
Step 3: CritiCall Testing (Three hours online)
Step 4: PERFEX Testing (One hour in-person)
Step 5: Interviews
Step 6: Pre-background (psychological assessment and hearing test)
Step 7: Background Investigation
FAQs
What training is provided?
We offer full onboarding and training.
What are the shift schedules like?
WRPS uses a 12-hour shift schedule. We are open 365 days per year and provide coverage through rotating shifts, including nights and weekends. While working shifts can be difficult, many members enjoy the mid-weekdays off and the ability to book off long stretches with just using a few days' vacation.
Is prior emergency experience required?
No emergency experience is required as our Service has an excellent training program
Where can I learn more about the testing?
Learn more about the CritiCall testing on their website: Public Safety Dispatcher Applicants - CritiCall TestGenius
Learn more about the PERFEX Test: What is the Perfex Test? 2024 Edition
When do you hire?
We generally do one call for applications each year in the fall.
