Public Safety Telecommunicators

Overview

Public Safety Telecommunicators has a national median salary of $53,040 per year, with +3.7% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

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.

Work Values

• Relationships
• Support
• Achievement

Work Styles

Responsibilities

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.

Work Activities

• Working with Computers
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Getting Information
• Processing Information
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Assisting and Caring for Others

Detailed Work Activities

• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a bachelor's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Bachelor's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a high school diploma or equivalent.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Public Safety Telecommunicators:

Video Resources