911 Communications Dispatcher

911 Communications Dispatcher

Salary

$24.88 - $25.93 Hourly

Location

Dispatch Center, 945 E. Pine Ave., Meridian, ID

Job Type

Full-Time with Benefits

Job Number

03016

Department

Sheriff

Division

ECB- 911 Communications

Opening Date

07/10/2026

Closing Date

10/31/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Summary

NOW HIRING DISPATCHERS

911 Public Safety Communications Dispatchers are the first point of contact for emergency and non-emergency calls, providing critical assistance and dispatching law enforcement, fire, and EMS resources. Dispatchers follow established protocols, exercise sound judgment, and coordinate closely with field responders.

Do you meet our minimum hiring standards?

Please check before applying.

SHIFT INFORMATION:

Dispatchers work four 10-hour shifts per week on a fixed schedule that rotates every four months through a shift-bid. Shifts include days, nights, weekends, and holidays, with the following options:

• 0400-1400 | 0800-1800 | 1400-0000 | 1800-0400 | 2200-0800

HIRING PROCESS TIMELINE: The selection and background process typically spans several months, so we begin early to ensure applicants have enough time to complete each step successfully. If you're motivated to pursue this career and ready to engage fully in the process, we encourage you to apply. This is a meaningful opportunity to prepare for a role that makes a real impact in our community.

• SCREENING QUESTIONNAIRE/SPARKHIRE VIDEO INTERVIEW: Accesses communication skills, professionalism, and overall readiness.

• CRITICALL TESTING: A computerized IN-PERSON pre-employment exam measuring:

• Multitasking

• Decision-making under pressure

• Listening accuracy

• Typing (Min. 35wpm & information retention)

• Simulates real emergency-dispatch conditions.

• TESTING INFORMATION: Computer based exam: The computer-based exam must be passed in all sections. Samples of skills tested: cross-referencing, prioritization, call summarization, and data entry. Read information regarding skill/ability requirements.

• SIT-IN OBSERVATION: Shadow a dispatcher to see real calls, real decisions, and the pace of the job.

• ORAL BOARD INTERVIEW: Evaluates a candidate's communication, judgment, skills, and overall suitability for the role. It also provides an opportunity for candidates to ask questions directly to one of our experienced 911 Communications Dispatchers.

• SELECTION & BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Candidates selected by hiring managers will be assigned to a background investigator. Background checks typically take 8 - 10 weeks to complete and includes a polygraph exam.

Essential Functions

• Emergency Call Intake - Serve as the community's first point of contact, quickly assessing 911 and non-emergency calls to determine the nature and urgency of each situation.
• Information Gathering - Use clear, structured questioning to capture accurate details, confirm locations, and identify potential safety risks.
• Incident Prioritization - Evaluate each call's urgency and assign the appropriate response level to ensure resources reach those who need them most.
• Dispatching Units - Coordinate and deploy law enforcement, fire, and medical teams using advanced radio and computer-aided dispatch systems.
• Responder Support - Maintain steady communication with field personnel, relay critical updates, and help safeguard responder safety throughout each incident.
• Pre-Arrival Instructions - Provide callers with calm, lifesaving guidance-including CPR and safety steps-until emergency responders arrive.
• Recordkeeping - Document call details, actions, and unit activity with accuracy and professionalism in CAD and related systems.
• Technology Operation - Operate multi-line phone systems, radios, mapping tools, alarms, and text-to-911 platforms with confidence and precision.
• Stress Management - Stay composed and effective while assisting callers who may be distressed, panicked, or confrontational.
• Policy Compliance - Uphold agency procedures, confidentiality standards, and all legal requirements governing emergency communications.

Job Requirements

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent;

• Must be POST certified as an Emergency Communications Officer within one year of hire;

• Ability to operate telephone and radio equipment;

• Ability to work with a high degree of accuracy under pressure of time, and amidst emergencies occurring within the community, while there are distractions;

• Ability to listen, understand, manage, and provide emergency life aid to callers who are under immense stress;

• Ability to react quickly and calmly in receiving and transmitting multiple emergency messages;

• Ability to communicate clearly and distinctly verbally and in writing;

• Ability to analyze emergency situations, determine and take proper quickly and objectively action;

• Ability to relate well with the public under adverse conditions and stressful situations;

• Ability to read city and county road and water maps to quickly locate streets, addresses, hydrants, caller's locations, and the emergency location where the on-scene responders should be sent;

• Ability to record accurately and legibly, details of activities and provide information;

• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions; and operate a computer keyboard;

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships.

• Must obtain and maintain a valid drivers license;

• This position has been designated safety sensitive and therefore the incumbent is subject to random drug testing.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

• May perform necessary preventive or minor maintenance functions on certain equipment in the dispatch office;
• Notifies responsible parties when radios or alarms malfunction;
• Field surveys streets to locate hydrants and identify changes necessary for maintaining up-to-date street maps;
• Performs related functions as required.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Fast-paced emergency communications center
• Long periods of sitting/standing during 10-hour shifts
• Frequent repetitive hand/wrist movements
• Occasional lifting up to 20 lbs.

DISCLAIMER:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential functions satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being assigned to this job. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of individuals in the job. This job description is not an employment agreement and/or an expressed or implied employment contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. Ada County provides Veterans Preference for all County jobs except for those deemed "key positions" in accordance with Title 65, Chapter 5 of Idaho Code.

BENEFITS:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• PERSI retirement
• 457(b) deferred compensation with County match
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Post-Employment Health Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life, AD&D, and short-term disability insurance
• Paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, and parental leave
• Free access to County gym facilities
• Wellness program
• Optional 401(k) and Roth IRA

Full details: Employee Benefits

Visit Employee Benefits to view details regarding our benefits package, including: paid leave, healthcare benefits, retirement benefits, and more!

Use our Compensation Estimator Tool to get a personalized look at what your total compensation could be including estimated salary, retirement contributions, health benefits and paid time off. This tool is designed to help prospective employees better understand the full value of working at Ada County.

Ada County recognizes that employees are our most valuable asset. We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to benefit-eligible employees designed to support the health, wellness and long-term financial stability of our employees and their families.

Healthcare:

• Low-cost medical, dental, vision premiums and deductibles
• Post-employment health savings account

Retirement and Investments Plans:

• PERSI retirement benefits
• 457(b) post or pre-tax investments options with up to 3% employer match
• 401(k)

Wellbeing Program:

• Employee Assistance Program for short-term counseling on work, family, finances, and personal concerns.
• Free ACHD Commuter ride vanpool program
• Free bus pass

Paid-leave:

• 11 paid holidays per year
• 8 weeks paid Parental Leave
• Approximately 96 hours of vacation accrual for full-time employee
• Approximately 96 hours of sick accrual for full-time employee
• 5 days paid bereavement leave

Life & Short-Term Disability Insurance

• Basic Life Insurance employer paid if benefit eligible
• Short Term Disability employer paid if benefit eligible

Optional Benefits:

• Pre-tax Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Account
• NCPERS Decreasing Term Life Insurance
• Supplemental Employee, Spouse, Child Life Insurance
• Supplemental Long-Term Disability Insurance
• AFLAC

01

To become a 911 Dispatcher in Idaho, you must be at least 18 years of age and a citizen of the United States. Are you at least 18 years of age at time of application and a United States Citizen?

• Yes
• No

02

Why do you want to work as an Ada County dispatcher?

03

What experience and talents would you bring to the dispatcher position?

04

What experience do you have working with a large group of people? Have you ever worked in an area that was noisy, congested or confusing? If not, how do you think you will react to such a setting?

05

Our Dispatchers work a variety of shifts including days, swings, nights, weekends, and holidays. This means that as a dispatcher, you may miss family holidays, birthdays, childrens activities, to name a few. We need all our applicants to be flexible for any shift. Also, our Dispatchers work a set shift for 4 months and then have a possibility of a shift change. Given this information, are you willing to work any of the required shifts for the Dispatcher position?

• Yes
• No

06

I have reviewed the posted hiring wage for this position it is acceptable to me. I am aware there is no negotiating outside of the posted wage.

• Yes
• No

07

Have you reviewed the Hiring Standards/Disqualifiers on the ACSO website and confirmed that you meet all requirements? Please answer YES or NO. If you are unsure or believe you may not meet one or more standards, provide details for evaluation. All responses are subject to verification through a polygraph exam during the hiring process.

Required Question

Employer Ada County

Department Sheriff Address 7200 Barrister Dr.

Boise, Idaho, 83704

Website www.adacounty.id.gov/sheriff