LATERAL COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST - 911 DISPATCH

Job Announcement

Job Announcement 20260109 Lateral Communications Specialist/911 Emergency Dispatcher
CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled
APPLY ONLINE AT LONGMONTCOLORADO.GOV/JOBS
Department: Public Safety
Division: Emergency Communications

Hiring Range:
Step 2026-Hourly Rates
Step 2 $ 38.72
Step 3 $ 41.08
Step 4 $ 43.46

Regular Full-time with Benefits
40 hours per week
Requires working varied shifts including evenings, nights, weekends & holidays.
Regular Full-time with Benefits
Benefits include: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flex Spending, Defined Benefit Pension Plan,
401(a) Money Purchase Plan, Life & Survivor, Term Life & AD&D, Long Term Disability,
Bereavement, Jury & Witness Duty, FMLA, Military Leave, Sick, Vacation, Holiday pay,
EAP, Tuition Assistance.
Other benefits: Optional, employee elected, voluntary benefits are available.
Open Until Filled positions may close without advance notice. To be considered, please
apply as soon as possible.

Definition: Receive and respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for assistance from the public. Determine the nature and level of assistance needed; record call information in a
Computer Aided Dispatch system; and dispatch police, fire, or ambulance units as necessary in
emergency situations. Provide clear, accurate, and appropriate information and referrals as
necessary in non-emergency situations. Provide Emergency Medical Dispatching Services
according to prescribed protocols. Duties may also include acting as the sole source contact in
emergency situations until the dispatched emergency response team arrives on site.

This is the journey-level class within the Communications Specialist series. Employees within this
class are distinguished from entry level by the performance of the full range of duties as
assigned.
Principal Duties:
• Receive 911 emergency calls from the public requesting police, fire, or ambulance
assistance; determine the nature and location of emergency, the level of assistance
needed, the priority of response, and dispatch emergency units as necessary and in

accordance with established procedures. May be required to maintain contact with caller
in emergency situations until the dispatched service arrives.

• Receive non-emergency calls from the public requesting police, fire, or ambulance
assistance; determine the nature of the situation and the level of assistance needed.
Provide appropriate information or referrals as necessary and in accordance with
established procedures.

• Maintain contact, status, and location of police field units and fire units. Initiate further
emergency action as required.

• Enter and update emergency and non-emergency call information in a computer-aided
dispatch system.

• Coordinate emergency and non-emergency calls and relay information and assistance
requests involving other law enforcement agencies, other fire departments, other City
departments, and community service agencies.

• Enter, update, and retrieve information from computerized local, state, and national
crime information networks relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle
registration, stolen vehicles, and other information.

• Ensure appropriate record keeping and report preparation; pass along log information
and other documentation as required.

• Perform Emergency Medical Dispatch, when necessary, in accordance with established
EMD procedures.

• Monitor booking area and holding cells through television and microphone surveillance;
monitor video surveillance of building security; and dispatch backup personnel on
request.

• Monitor public works and utility department radios; assist with evening and weekend
dispatch of public works and utility crews.

• Monitor radio traffic from other law enforcement and fire agencies and coordinate
mutual aid activities involving Longmont first responders as needed.

• Establish emergency radio interoperable communications pathways during mutual aid
incidents.

• Receive and process burglary, fire, and robbery alarms of businesses and residences
according to procedures.

• Coordinate specialty callouts, such as SWAT, HAZMAT, SEU, etc.

• Assist with maintenance of work and break areas.

• Maintain professional attitude and demeanor in all contacts with the public and with
other Public Safety staff.

• Perform a variety of call entry tasks on the CAD system.

• Perform limited maintenance and repair on the CAD and radio system as needed.

• Update and maintain console resource materials.

Performs essential duties and additional tasks in a manner which enhances City Attributes.

Working Environment: Work is performed in a highly isolated and secured area with restricted movement. Work
involves extended periods of sitting while working closely with others with occasional periods
working alone. Requires the operation of specialized communications equipment including
radios, emergency operations computer equipment, paging and cellular/hard line phone
equipment, and early warning systems including a variety of software. Requires the ability to
listen, communicate, and speak clearly enough to be understood on a radio and telephone.
Requires the ability to perform repetitive motion at a keyboard/console on an intermittent basis
for extended time periods per work shift. Requires skill in making effective decisions under
stressful conditions, performing multiple tasks simultaneously, and remaining calm during
emergency situations. Must be able to exercise good judgment and make sound decisions.
Requires demonstrated ability to read and understand the English language. Requires the
ability to read maps and perform work duties on varied shifts including evenings, nights,
weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications:
A minimum of two years successful experience in a primary PSAP environment, call-taking 911s,
dispatching law, fire and medical resources. High School Diploma or GED required.
Special Qualifications: Ability to complete the City of Longmont Communications Specialist
Training Program; completion of training programs that result in certifications in Emergency
Medical Dispatching (EMD), Colorado Bureau of Investigations computer operation, and CPR
within 12 months of hire date. Keyboarding skills of 35 wpm minimum. Preference given for
knowledge of the Central Square Technologies CAD system. Must be at least 21 years of age.

Selection The selection process will include complete job description review, oral boards, integrity
interview, computerized skills testing, other testing components relevant to the position,
background investigation, criminal background check, substance screening, psychological
evaluation and CJIS fingerprint screening.

DEADLINE: Open Until Filled An ONLINE APPLICATION is required. This job is Open Until Filled. The online application
process is available for this position on our website at www.longmontcolorado.gov/jobs.
Resumes will be accepted in lieu of the full City Application; however, they must be submitted
via the City application site for consideration. For more information, call (303) 651-8609.
The City of Longmont is an equal opportunity employer. The City affirms its commitment to diversity and to
complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding nondiscrimination in employment. The City will
not discriminate against any person in recruiting, examining, appointing, hiring, training, placement, termination,
layoffs, recall, transfer, leave of absence, promoting, compensating, retaining, disciplining, or any other personnel
action on the basis of age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national
origin, ancestry, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, physical or
mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, except when any of these
categories constitutes a bona fide occupational qualification (i.e., an actual qualification for performing a job). If you
need special assistance in the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Department in advance to make
arrangements.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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