Answering the Call: 911

Become a Police Communications Operator with PHXPD and Receive a $7,500 Signing Incentive

Phoenix Police Department’s Police Communications Operators are the behind-the-scenes heroes who skillfully handle emergency and non-emergency calls, provide critical guidance, and dispatch police officers with precision and compassion. Their unwavering commitment to public safety and their ability to remain composed under pressure make them the vital link in the chain of emergency response. Discover the pivotal role our 911 operators play in keeping Phoenix safe and learn more about how you can join us in making an impact in our community.

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Minimum of one year of public contact, customer service and/or clerical work
Computer knowledge using Windows-based programs
Ability to spell accurately
Ability to sit or stand while on the telephone and using multiple computer monitors for eight to twelve hours per day
Ability to multitask using the telephone and radio
Ability to react under time-sensitive, stressful and critical situations
Ability to accurately follow directions in a fast-paced environment
Work nights, weekends and holidays

Our hiring process is designed to identify individuals committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and service. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Apply online

Visit the City of Phoenix jobs website and search “Police Communications Operator"

Complete the required information and attach, as one document, your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above. The results of the resume screening process will be sent to your primary email address.

If eligible for the position you will be contacted via email to move on to the next step of the hiring process. Be sure to check your junk mail folder as well.

The City job description can be found here.

2. Computer Simulated Test - CritiCall

CritiCall is a computerized simulator software that tests the applicant’s skills and abilities in data entry and multitasking. Applicants will wear headphones and test in areas such as: multitasking, prioritization, memory recall, comprehension, data entry, and decision-making. The test takes about 75 minutes to complete.

Free Criticall practice tests can be found here.

Download the Communications Guidelines and Terminology to prepare for the computer-simulated test.

3. Panel Interview

Preparing for Your Oral Board

4. Background Process

Those who successfully complete CritiCall and the interview will be notified via email when they are to begin the background process with the Phoenix Police Department Employment Services Bureau.

Please consider the following disqualifiers before applying for the position:

Felonies: Conviction of a felony
Misdemeanors: Conviction of a job-related misdemeanor within the last three years
Drug Use: Illegal marijuana use occurring within the last 12 months
Other Illegal drug use occurring within the last five years
Financial: Job-related negative financial history occurring within the last five years
Driving: Job-related negative driving history occurring within the last five years
This is not an all-inclusive list. Other factors (poor driving record, immoral conduct, criminal activity, dishonesty, etc.) will also be assessed and may lead to disqualification. Individuals should consider all of these factors when applying. Exceptions may apply and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis

5. Controlled Substance Screening

Applicants will be required to submit to a urinalysis at some point in the hiring process.

If you have questions regarding the hiring process, please contact 602-534-1301 or email us at [email protected].

Download: 911 Recruitment Brochure

Download:
911 Recruitment Brochure

APPLY NOW

Competitive Salary

Police Communications Operator:

$24.93-$35.46 hourly

$51,854-$73,757 annually

Applicants who have one year of full-time experience as a Police 911 Call Taker and/or Police Radio Operator; After completing probation and if you have not been separated from a police agency for more than 12 months at the time of application, may earn higher pay depending on experience. All applicants without previous full-time experience as an emergency call-taker will start at Step One on our pay scale.

Promotional and Growth Opportunities

After successfully becoming a Cross-trained 9-1-1 Operator and Radio Dispatcher, there may be other areas of advancement that pique your interest, such as:

Communications Records Unit Assistant, assisting the City Prosecutor’s Office and County Attorney’s with audio and transcripts for Discovery purposes; assisting internal and external Detectives in their investigations, and fulfilling special requests submitted by the Citizens of Phoenix.
Radio Network & Encryption Office Lead, where you can service many agencies around the valley with their diverse radio encryption and interoperability needs as one of the primary Public Safety Answering Points.
Shift Manager, overseeing the shift you are assigned to, the Supervisors and employees that work within the call-center or in one of the Administrative Units.

Benefits

Rio Salado Community College

The Phoenix Police Department partners with Rio Salado Community College, which provides opportunities to further our employees' professional and academic growth.

Once a new employee successfully completes the Classroom Training/Curriculum with a grade of “C” or better, the employee can receive up to 16 college credits, transferrable to any Maricopa Community College, free of charge, no Tuition Reimbursement Necessary.

Learn more about the Rio Salado College Phoenix Communications Bureau Academy Training Program.

For more information on benefits visit: Unit 003 Benefits

Every 9-1-1 call placed within the City of Phoenix and/or bordering the City of Phoenix is answered by the Phoenix Police Department Communications Bureau. Part of the day-to-day operations consist of:

Process incoming 9-1-1 Emergent and Non-Emergent (Crimestop) calls for service as one of the Primary Safety Answering Points for the City of Phoenix.
Triage calls when necessary to other agencies such as the Phoenix Fire Department for any medical or fire-related calls, the Department of Public Safety for emergencies occurring on the Freeway, bordering police departments, our Behavioral and Mental Health partners within the Community Assistance Program through the Phoenix Fire Department and/or Solari Services for access to additional resources or mobile teams.
Dispatch and communicate with Patrol Officers via Radio Efficiently.
Translate plain English into radio codes and department-common abbreviations and terminology.
Prioritize emergent and non-emergent calls for service based on policy and procedure.

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Answering the Call: 911

Become a Police Communications Operator with PHXPD and Receive a $7,500 Signing Incentive

1. Apply online

2. Computer Simulated Test - CritiCall

3. Panel Interview

4. Background Process

Please consider the following disqualifiers before applying for the position:

5. Controlled Substance Screening

Competitive Salary

Police Communications Operator:

$24.93-$35.46 hourly

$51,854-$73,757 annually

Promotional and Growth Opportunities

After successfully becoming a Cross-trained 9-1-1 Operator and Radio Dispatcher, there may be other areas of advancement that pique your interest, such as:

Benefits

Rio Salado Community College

Every 9-1-1 call placed within the City of Phoenix and/or bordering the City of Phoenix is answered by the Phoenix Police Department Communications Bureau. Part of the day-to-day operations consist of:

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