Telecommunicator - Police

Telecommunicator - Police Salary $43,201.60 - $69,118.40 Annually

Location: Burlington, NC Job Type: Full-time Job Number: 2026-00003 Department: Police Opening Date: January 1, 2026 Closing Date: December 31, 2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Description

Do you want to help your community in times of crisis? Are you good at remaining calm in stressful situations? Do you have experience communicating frequently via phone? The Burlington Police Department is hiring for full-time Telecommunicators and this just might be the position for you!

About Us

The Burlington Communications Center is a 24-hour a day, 7-days-a-week center. The center functions as a vital link between the City of Burlingtons and the City of Grahams police and fire departments and those who need emergency and non-emergency assistance.

Responsibilities

Performs routine telecommunications work in receiving and processing emergency and non-emergency calls for the police and fire department under the supervision of a Telecommunicator Lead or Communications Manager. You will be responsible for receiving and prioritizing 911 and non-emergency telephone calls from the public, dispatching appropriate public safety officials, and maintaining open lines of communication with public safety during emergency situations.

Work in this position is very sedentary and rarely involves physical exertion. It requires constant attention to multiple computer screens and phone systems.

Policing with a Purpose

Preserving the Sanctity of ALL Life Nurture and Protect Democracy Ensure Procedural Justice and Fundamental Fairness Spirit of Service Protect the Community from Harm Treat all individuals with Dignity and Respect - the ethical foundation of policing

Work Conditions

This is a full-time position. Work is performed on a 12-hour shift during the day, mid-day, or evening. Work may be required on nights, weekends, birthdays, and holidays.

Key Responsibilities

• Call Evaluation & Prioritization:

• Manages multiple tasks under pressure by taking emergency calls while simultaneously viewing maps, entering information into dispatch software, and coordinating response efforts in real time.

• Receives incoming calls from the public via a multi-line phone system, assesses service requests, and determines the appropriate public agency to address the situation. Prioritizes calls based on urgency and severity, ensuring a swift response to critical incidents.

• Handles after-hours calls for various services, including animal control, utilities, street maintenance, and traffic signal malfunctions, ensuring seamless coverage around the clock.

• Communication & Dispatch Operations:

• Operates the Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TTY), conducting weekly system tests to ensure accessibility and reliability for all users.

• Dispatches police and fire officials to emergency situations using multi-channel radio systems, maintains communication with officers, and coordinates additional units based on evolving circumstances.

• Monitors the self-initiated activities of officers, providing them with critical information from the NCIC system to assist with ongoing investigations and actions.

• Data Management & Information Retrieval:

• Maintains accurate records of authorizations, warrants, and other essential information related to DCI/NCIC entries, ensuring compliance with operational procedures.

• Utilizes the eWarrants system to check for outstanding warrants and communicates real-time results to officers in the field, aiding their decision-making process.

• Keeps detailed logs of criminal history and updates relevant databases in a timely manner to support law enforcement efforts.

• Public Interaction & Professionalism:

• Coordinates multi-agency responses with telecommunicators from other agencies for large-scale events or other emergency situations.

• Handles public contact with tact, firmness, and decisiveness, ensuring that all communications are in alignment with department policy, as well as federal and state law.

• Closes telecommunications calls for service, ensuring that fire and police units are accounted for and returned to service promptly after resolving incidents.

Additional Responsibilities

Completes other related duties as required, contributing to the efficient operation of the telecommunications team and supporting broader departmental functions.

Qualifications

• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Telecommunications & Emergency Operations Knowledge:
• Ability to take emergency calls while simultaneously viewing maps, typing into dispatch software, and disseminating response instructions.
• General understanding of modern telecommunications practices, procedures, and technologies crucial to the efficient operation of emergency response systems.
• Familiarity with police and fire department operational procedures, enabling seamless coordination between agencies during critical situations.
• Strong grasp of city geography and street locations, ensuring accurate dispatching and quick response times in all areas.
• Technology & Equipment Expertise:
• Ability to learn how to operate computer-aided dispatch (CAD) consoles, radio systems, telephones, and computer terminals to manage emergency communications efficiently.
• Ability to learn how to read and interpret maps quickly, scan warrant files, and review recorded tapes, ensuring quick access to critical information.
• Resource & Manual Utilization:
• Knowledgeable in utilizing various support resources, including call books, HAZMAT manuals, tactical dispatch manuals, and other standard operating procedure guides to navigate emergency protocols and provide optimal support.
• Language & Communication Support:
• Ability to learn how to use Language Line interpreting services to connect 911 callers with interpreters swiftly, ensuring effective communication across language barriers and improving response outcomes.
• Ability to control telephone conversations to gather accurate information and provide clear, correct instructions to emergency responders.
• Ability to think clearly and act decisively in high-pressure emergency situations.
• Demonstrated ability to speak clearly and use proper diction during all forms of communication.

Minimum Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship
• High School Diploma or GED equivalency
• At least six (6) months of work experience in a dispatch function or extensive public contact role
• NC DCI Certification or ability to obtain within first six (6) months (Modules 1, 2, and 3)
• Basic Telecommunicator Certificate through NC Sheriffs Standards or the ability to obtain within first six (6) months

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in a law enforcement or fire/EMS environment
• Current certification as an emergency service Telecommunicator by NC Sheriffs Standards

Benefits

Benefits for full-time employees of the City of Burlington (with the exception of full-time sworn police officers) are as follows:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Ability to transfer North Carolina local government earned sick leave
• Paid holidays for New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Good Friday, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas
• Enrollment in the Local Government branch of the North Carolina State Retirement System
• Enrollment in Empower 401k
• Health and dental insurance coverage for employee and children; spouses may be added to the policy if they are not offered coverage at their own place of employment
• Voluntary enrollment in a Flexible Spending Plan
• Life insurance
• Long-term care insurance
• Other voluntary insurances and deferred compensation plans

Supplemental Questions

By completing these supplemental questions, you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any information you provide may be reviewed by the hiring manager. Any misstatements or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or may result in dismissal. "See resume" is not an acceptable answer to any question. Resumes may be uploaded as a supplement to the online application. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of application and/or the Work History section.

1. Are you a United States citizen, either by birth or naturalization?
2. What is the highest level of education you have completed?
3. Telecommunicators work 12-hour shifts that may include days, nights, weekends, holidays plus occasional on-call. Are you able and willing to work this type of schedule?
4. Have you ever been denied employment by a criminal justice agency?
5. If you answered yes to the previous question, please list the agency name, reason for denial, and date of your application. If you have never been denied employment by a criminal justice agency, please type "N/A".
6. Have you ever been discharged or asked to resign from any position because of criminal conduct, personal misconduct, rules violation, or other reason?
7. If you answered yes to the previous question, please explain the circumstances of any/all dismissals. If you have never been discharged or asked to resign from a position for any reason, please type "N/A".
8. Do you drink alcoholic beverages?
9. If you answered yes to the previous question, how often do you drink alcoholic beverages?
10. Have you ever been arrested or cited for a DWI/DUI?
11. If you answered yes to the previous question, how long ago were you arrested or cited for DWI/DUI?
12. Have you ever used marijuana or any form/derivative thereof?
13. If you answered yes to the previous question, please provide the month and year that you last used marijuana or any form thereof. If you have never used marijuana, please type "N/A".
14. Have you ever used any illegal drugs including, but not limited to, synthetic/designer drugs, steroid, opiates, pills, heroin, cocaine, crack, hallucinogenic drugs (ex: LSD), methamphetamine, etc.?
15. If you answered yes to the previous question, please provide the type of drug, month and year that you last used any/all illegal drugs. If you have never used illegal drugs, please type "N/A".
16. Have you ever used prescription drugs other than those prescribed to you by a physician?
17. If you answered yes to the previous question, please list the type of prescription, month and year that you last used any/all prescription drugs that were not prescribed to you. If you have never used prescription drugs that were not prescribed to you, please type "N/A".
18. Have you ever been convicted of any