HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — According to the United States Census Bureau, more than 30,000 people made Huntsville their home between 2021 and 2022.
With the population capping out at 218,672 people in 2021 and 221,933 people in 2022. That's a pretty large jump and naturally, with that jump, comes more 911 calls.
"With the amount of people that come to Huntsville, there's always going to be calls that happen from any accidents or any type of call," Lead Recruiter with Huntsville Police Department, Kevin Becatti.
"There have been more calls since the city has grown and gotten bigger. There have been more calls," Training Coordinator and Public Service Dispatcher at the Madison County 911 Call Center, Amy Turner.
"There needs to be dispatchers that answer those phones. There needs to be dispatchers that get out those calls," Becatti.
Turner is a longtime 911 dispatcher, "I've been in dispatch for 13 years. I originally started because actually, the benefits, of 25 years of retirement and I wanted to be able to retire in 25 years,"
But what was once a job to her, quickly became a passion of hers: "I like being a dispatch so that I can actually help the citizens and the officers as well as make that connection from the citizens needing help to the officers arriving on scene."
"They get to work with our officers, not right next to them on the street, but they're doing all the same. They're giving the calls. They're hearing everything that's coming out. And they're really helping the officers complete the job out on the field," Becatti.
Alongside the community benefits, in becoming a dispatcher, you may also be taking the first step in your career in becoming a police officer.
Any dispatchers that are interested in possibly becoming police officers in the future, especially the younger dispatchers that are 18,19-years-old, they can become a police officer at 21-years-old, so they can know all the codes. They can know how some of these calls get handled," said Becatti.
Pay starts at $20 an hour with salaries sitting at $41,620.80 - $62,753.60 annually.
This is specialized communications work in receiving and dispatching accurate information on an assigned shift to appropriate personnel. Positions in this class are employed in police communications and dispatch personnel based on seven digit calls and 911 calls. Work involves responsibility for operation of specialized radio utilizing multiple channels and frequencies in a communication center. Position requires fast, efficient, and accurate receiving, dispatching and processing of calls and messages from and to appropriate vehicles and personnel. Employees work with considerable independence, subject to instructions or orders to meet special operating circumstances or emergencies.
Physical and Environmental Factors:
Work is performed in a communications center building without windows. Incumbent often works fast-paced in a harried work atmosphere, confronted by disturbing or stressful call situations. Work is essentially sedentary with occasional walking, bending, lifting of objects under 25 pounds, or minimal physical activities. Work requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time, to operate personal computers and transmitter/receivers and to perceive and or discriminate colors, sounds, depth, and texture. Work requires continuous repetitive arm/hand movement.
Dispatchers normally work five (5) days a week, eight (8) hours per shift. This job is 24/7 shift work which requires work on nights, weekends, and holidays.
The projected duration of the selection process will be approximately 2-3 months from the date of orientation. The probationary period for an employee hired to fill a regular, full-time position begins immediately upon hire in such position and continues for one (1) year.
Minimum Education, Training and Experience
High school diploma from a school accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized High school diploma from a school accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or GED certificate issued by the appropriate state agency and some experience in basic computers operation. Must have the ability to multi-task that includes accurately typing a minimum of 35 words per minute on a computer keyboard.
Job Skill Requirements:
Selected applicant will be trained to know street system and geography of the City of Huntsville; knowledge of the multi-functional dispatch console with an integrated assortment of communications equipment including digital playback unit, integrated multi-functional radio/telephone system and the Intergraph computer aided dispatch system (CAD); to be proficient in the operation of radio and telephone equipment and the ability to remain calm when under stress; record keeping ability; and the ability to listen and fully understand what the caller is saying as well as background noises. (i.e. gun shots, yelling, and/or screaming).
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND A MANDATORY ORIENTATION FOR THIS POSITION CONDUCTED BY POLICE COMMUNICATIONS PERSONNEL AT THE HUNTSVILLE MADISON COUNTY 911 CENTER - 1570 OLD MONROVIA RD NW. HUNTSVILLE, AL 35806. APPLICANTS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE - THOSE WHO MEET THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS - MAY SELF SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE MANDATORY PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER ORIENTATION IMMEDIATELY AFTER SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION USING THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW. AFTER THE ORIENTATION THOSE WHO WISH TO CONTINUE IN THE PROCESS WILL BE REQUIRED TO TAKE AN ONLINE TEST PROCTORED BY POLICE COMMUNICATIONS PERSONNEL. THE ORIENTATION AND TESTING WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY 2-3 HOURS.
INSTRUCTIONS TO SELF SCHEDULE:
Click on your username in the upper right-hand corner
- Log into Governmentjobs.com click the "Your Account" or "Sign In" link
- Log in as a Career Seeker
- Click on your username in the upper right-hand corner
- Click the "application Status" link
- Click the "Schedule Exam" link
- Select the desired exam time and location (Out of town applicants that are not able to attend the dates available, must contact Sgt. Ricky Stephens at 256-722-7107 for more information regarding the orientation)
- Click "Submit"
At the Public Safety Dispatcher Orientation, applicants must present a valid driver's license. Applicants who arrive late, fail to attend, or make other arrangements regarding the mandatory orientation will automatically be eliminated from the hiring process. Applicants who successfully pass the dispatcher exam will be eligible to be considered for an oral interview and must also pass an extensive background investigation which includes a polygraph and drug screening test.
Necessary Special Requirements:
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license
Must successfully complete a polygraph
