A Communications Center is fast paced and you must remain on top of it all. Every time you answer the phone, you have no idea what you will face. Each and every time it is your decisions, your judgment, and your actions which affect the outcome.
A dispatcher serves the entire county, not only for law enforcement, but fire and medical emergencies also.
We are currently seeking qualified applicants who are seeking a challenging career as a MetroCom 9-1-1 Dispatcher.
METROCOM History
MetroCom is the 911 dispatch team that serves a population of 362,800 citizens in Nueces County which includes 348,000 Corpus Christi residents.
In 1993 the Nueces County commissioned a communications study, which resulted in MetroCom. The study called for a development of a single Public Safety Answering Point PSAP for all 911 emergency calls and dispatch functions within the areas served by the City of Corpus Christi and Nueces County.
A Career in Emergency Communications
- On average, our employees dispatch 466,000 per year.
- On average our employees answer 50,000 calls a month for a total of 600,000 calls per year
The growth of Police and Fire communications in America has been pushed by the vital need to get the information from the problem to the source of assistance immediately. As more efficient communications systems develop, so does the need for professional personnel to receive, input and relay the information. Citizens expect highly-trained professionals in this job and it doesn’t take long for it to become obvious that highly skilled and trained personnel are needed in this field.
The Communications Division is rapidly maturing and moving to the forefront of the emergency services team. When handling multiple 9-1-1 emergency requests for Police, Fire and Medical Services, and when operating multi-frequency radio dispatch and computer entries, life and death decisions must be made with speed and accuracy.
The job of the professional dispatcher is a complex and demanding career that can be stressful at times but is also an extraordinarily satisfying career. What does it take to be a successful Emergency Dispatcher?
You must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Be a United States citizen
- Work fast-paced
- Be intelligent
- Be patient
- Enjoy people
- Be willing to help others
You must also have the ability to jump into the middle of chaos with the ability to stay calm and organized, direct and assured.
The duties you will be performing will vary greatly according to the position you are working in MetroCom. The positions include Call-Taking (answering emergency and non-emergency calls for service); Law Enforcement Radio (dispatching calls for service to Police, Sheriff, and Constables); Fire/EMS Radio; and Information Radio. There is no common or typical dispatch environment, although the type of work is the same throughout the nation. Dispatchers are the connection between the public and those who provide for the public’s health and safety.
Application Process
The Corpus Christi Police Department is currently accepting applications for dispatchers. This process consists of the following steps and takes about two months to complete.
Step 1 -Application (HS or GED required)
Step 2 - Multi-Tasking Test (CritiCall)
Step 3 - Fill out Background Packet
Step 4 - Criminal History Check
Step 5 - Interview
Step 6 - Full Background Investigation
Step 7 - Psychological Exam
Step 8 - Physical & Drug Screen
Starting Salaries for a Dispatcher is $19.62 per hour.
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