Telecommunicator

The City of DeKalb is accepting applications to fill current openings for Telecommunicator!

The Telecommunicator receives, analyzes, classifies, prioritizes and responds to calls of an emergency and non-emergency nature, including those calls involving life-threatening situations.

The position of Telecommunicator is assigned to the Community Support Services Division of the Police Department and works under the direct supervision of the Communications Coordinator. The position is a full-time position represented under AFSCME and requires the Telecommunicator to work a forty‑hour work week. The position will require shift work including evenings, weekends and holidays. The position works under extremely stressful situations and must maintain confidentiality at all times.

There is extensive contact with the general public and City employees in‑person and through electronic mediums.

This position is classified as an emergency response position and will require residency within fifteen (15) months from the completion of the probationary period. Residency requirements are based on the Telecommunicator residency map found at Appendix D‑1 of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The starting rate is $27.424 per hour. Please  to view the AFSCME Collective Bargaining Agreement & Wage Schedule.

Initial review of applications will begin February 12, 2026. The position will remain open until filled.

• Receives all incoming emergency and non‑emergency calls for police and fire departments, in addition to after‑hours calls to City Hall.
• Receives emergency calls for service from multiple sources including an NG9‑1‑1 system, text‑to‑911, video‑to‑911, video relay services, social media, and alarm reporting integrations.
• Operates a multi‑channel computerized radio communication console with multiple computer terminals including phone and radio systems to obtain, enter, dispatch, transmit and maintain information and calls for service.
• Monitors other local police and fire radio frequencies as well as additional Municipal frequencies.
• Accurately enters relevant information and updates notes into police and fire calls for service and in accordance with established procedures operates a computer‑aided dispatch system.
• Prioritizes and sequences calls promptly in limited time utilizing law enforcement, fire and EMS protocols with limited or no supervision.
• Initiates emergency phone tracing using specialized procedures for landline and mobile phones.
• Assigns calls to police and fire units for necessary action, determining the appropriate units required for response. Coordinates, when necessary, with patrol and fire supervisors regarding deployment of personnel.
• Operates multiple systems across six to eight monitors. Visually monitors closed‑circuit television security cameras in and around the City and the Police Department.
• Monitors and/or operates generator and fire alarm panels.
• Maintains contact with all units on‑duty and on assignment; maintains records of activity for all field calls and units dispatched; assigns and coordinates backup personnel as required and issues status checks for safety on responding units.
• Provides pre‑arrival police, fire and EMS instructions to callers reporting crimes or medical emergencies in‑progress.
• Provides supplemental information to officers and field personnel expeditiously, including but not limited to warrants, vehicle responses, driver’s license status, and parole, gang, sex offender and other criminal history information.
• Interprets or clarifies coded responses from various systems for law enforcement, including confirmation of warrants and other types of hits while maintaining paperwork and updating or entering records into LEADS/NCIC as applicable.
• Utilizes language interpretation services and coordinates with mental health resources for appropriate contacts with callers who have mental health or language barriers to receiving help.
• Provides information and assistance to the walk‑in public.
• Maintains extensive interaction with the general public requiring professional and timely responses.
• Reports equipment malfunctions and dangerous/hazardous conditions to the…