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Public Safety Telecommunicators

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)	Projected Growth (2023-2033)
National Statistics	$50,730	11500	4.0%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$50,730

Median Wage (USD, 2023)

11500

Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)

4.0%

Projected Growth (2023-2033)

Operate telephone, radio, or other communication systems to receive and communicate requests for emergency assistance at 9-1-1 public safety answering points and emergency operations centers. Take information from the public and other sources regarding crimes, threats, disturbances, acts of terrorism, fires, medical emergencies, and other public safety matters. May coordinate and provide information to law enforcement and emergency response personnel. May access sensitive databases and other information sources as needed. May provide additional instructions to callers based on knowledge of and certification in law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical procedures.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience: N.A.

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months

Detailed Work Activities

Coordinate operational activities.
Maintain call records.
Discuss goods or services information with customers or patrons.
Search files, databases or reference materials to obtain needed information.
Enter information into databases or software programs.
Operate communications equipment or systems.
Confer with coworkers to coordinate work activities.
Relay information between personnel.
Answer telephones to direct calls or provide information.
Maintain security.
Monitor alarm systems.
Maintain call records.
Operate communications equipment or systems.
Maintain current knowledge related to work activities.
Interpret blueprints, specifications, or diagrams to inform installation, development or operation activities.
Answer telephones to direct calls or provide information.
Refer customers to appropriate personnel.
Provide basic health care services.
Monitor alarm systems.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
Adjust office equipment to ensure proper operation.
Report maintenance or equipment problems to appropriate personnel.
Operate vehicles or material-moving equipment.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

Provide emergency medical instructions to callers.
Question callers to determine their locations and the nature of their problems to determine type of response needed.
Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch units in accordance with established procedures.
Receive incoming telephone or alarm system calls regarding emergency and non-emergency police and fire service, emergency ambulance service, information, and after-hours calls for departments within a city.
Relay information and messages to and from emergency sites, to law enforcement agencies, and to all other individuals or groups requiring notification.
Record details of calls, dispatches, and messages.
Monitor various radio frequencies, such as those used by public works departments, school security, and civil defense, to stay apprised of developing situations.
Read and effectively interpret small-scale maps and information from a computer screen to determine locations and provide directions.
Maintain access to, and security of, highly sensitive materials.
Enter, update, and retrieve information from teletype networks and computerized data systems regarding such things as wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, and stolen vehicles.
Scan status charts and computer screens, and contact emergency response field units to determine emergency units available for dispatch.
Answer routine inquiries, and refer calls not requiring dispatches to appropriate departments and agencies.
Learn material and pass required tests for certification.
Observe alarm registers and scan maps to determine whether a specific emergency is in the dispatch service area.
Maintain files of information relating to emergency calls, such as personnel rosters and emergency call-out and pager files.
Test and adjust communication and alarm systems, and report malfunctions to maintenance units.
Operate and maintain mobile dispatch vehicles and equipment.
Monitor alarm systems to detect emergencies, such as fires and illegal entry into establishments.

Work Styles

Achievement/Effort

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self-Control

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Integrity

Independence

Innovation

Analytical Thinking

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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