BE THE DIFFERENCE
BECOME A 911 DISPATCHER
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
911 dispatchers are an essential part of Tulsa's critical care services. They function as the first contact for many citizens on the worst day of their lives. Our dispatchers act with empathy and urgency to ensure that each Tulsan receives the assistance they need. Below we explore what it takes to join 911 Emergency for a career that makes a difference.
OVERVIEW
911 is a great place to start a career with advancement opportunity and a built-in progression path for success. Our 911 operators are the people who answer all calls to 911 and send help. By becoming a 911 operator, you can be the helpful voice that helps a distressed caller remain calm regardless of how stressful the situation may be.
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THE TRAINING
Public Safety 911 Academy
All of our 911 operators attend a paid academy in a classroom setting. The academy instruction is designed to deliver foundational knowledge required to succeed as a 911 operator. Following graduation, our operators are assigned a mentor and on-the-job trainer to ensure continued training and learning. This assures that each operator has attained the skill and knowledge needed to perform their job successfully.
911 is a 24/7 operation, with three shifts in a 24-hour period.
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1st Shift: 10:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
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2nd Shift: 6:30am to 3:00 p.m.
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3rd Shift: 2:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
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All shifts are available by annual bid and availability.
OPPORTUNITY
Career Advancement Levels
The call-taker function is the first of eight primary skills learned by all Tulsa 911 operators, with the opportunity for pay increases with each progression from operator I to IV.
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Public Safety Operator I
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Public Safety Operator II
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Public Safety Operator III
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Public Safety Operator IV
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Shift Supervisor/Management
"I know people are counting on me, so I'm here every day to give them everything I have."
Anita Robbins
Public Safety Dispatcher
Tulsa 911 Emergency
REQUIREMENTS TO JOIN
At 911, we are a diverse team of deeply compassionate and empathetic people. But we are also a team that gets the job done, no matter what, no matter when. To apply, you simply need the following:
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High School Diploma or GED Certificate
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Typing Skills/10-Key
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Good communication and customer service skills
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Multi-tasking/organizational skills
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BENEFITS & RETIREMENT
The City of Tulsa loves and takes care of its 911 dispatchers, from comprehensive benefits to mental and physical well-being. Contact a recruiter and join our team of heroes today!
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Competitive Pay
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Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
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Retirement Plan
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Paid Floating Holidays/Vacation/Sick Leave
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Shift Differential and Holiday Pay
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Health and Wellness Programs
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Paid Training
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Bilingual Pay Program Available
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Not from Tulsa? Check out our Tulsa Living & Community page!
HIRING PROCESS
You will be applying for a Public Safety Dispatcher position that is unique and complex. Our hiring process includes several steps to determine the qualification and certification of all applicants, including:​
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Skill assessment
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Security index review
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Two-part interview process
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Job exposure
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Personality assessment
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Drug screening and physical
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Certified applicants will have the opportunity to sit with employees at our 911 facility to listen to actual emergency calls and radio traffic between dispatchers and officers in the field.
