9-1-1 Telecommunicator Recruitment

The application period for Class 108 will open on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.

Thank you for your interest in a career as a 9-1-1 Telecommunicator with the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety! We hope that this page will provide you with the information that you need to successfully navigate through the application process.

Serving over 856,000 residents situated across nearly 500 square miles of land area, we are one of the busiest 9-1-1 centers in Pennsylvania. In 2022, we answered 694,606 emergency calls, an average of more than 1,900 per day. In addition to processing incoming calls, we also dispatch for 90 fire/rescue companies, 20 EMS squads, 50 police departments, and numerous County agencies. In 2022, we dispatched 835,927 incidents, an average of nearly 2,300 each day.

Job Requirements

Working as a 9-1-1 Telecommunicator requires an individual who can react and respond appropriately, regardless of the situation at hand. As such, a Telecommunicator must be willing to operate under high-stress situations in order to keep both the public and emergency responders safe. To decide if this career is right for you, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Do you have a sense of compassion for those in need?
  • Do you have a positive attitude and a strong work ethic?
  • Do you react quickly and effectively in most situations?
  • Do you have multi-tasking skills?
  • Do you enjoy a team atmosphere and working closely with others?

If you answered YES to these questions, keep reading! Other requirements for the job include:

  • High school diploma or equivalency
  • No record of criminal convictions
  • Adequate computer and typing knowledge
  • Valid driver’s license
  • Willingness and ability to work various shifts including night shift, weekends, and holidays

Application Process

The following explains our complete hiring process. The order of the below steps is subject to change.

  1. Submit your application at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/montcopa/jobs/4018949/9-1-1-telecommunicator-trainee. If you applied during a previous hiring period but were not offered employment, you must start the process over and resubmit an application.
  2. Take the CritiCall Test, which simulates the job skills necessary to be a successful 9-1-1 Telecommunicator. Currently, all testing is being performed remotely (i.e., you will receive a link via email to take the test at home). Please allow up to two hours to take the test and ensure you have a stable internet connection. After the test, you will be advised of your test results. No prior training or experience in calltaking or dispatching is required to pass the test, but we recommend applicants be able to type at least 30-40 words per minute.
  3. Complete the Personal History Questionnaire in full and return by the required date.
  4. Pass the background investigation and reference check. This process can take between two to three weeks to complete, depending on the number of prospective candidates.
  5. Participate in the interview process, which may include individual and/or group interviews. 
  6. Schedule a job shadowing session, during which you'll observe an experienced 9-1-1 Telecommunicator at work and get a feel for what the position entails.
  7. Receive a conditional offer letter, which will be provided in time to allow you to give proper notice to your current employer.
  8. Start training for your new career as a 9-1-1 Telecommunicator! Classroom training typically takes 12-15 weeks, followed by two to four months of on-the-job training. Training will take place at the Montgomery County Emergency Operations Center, located at 50 Eagleville Road, Eagleville, PA 19403. All training is paid.

Ineligible candidates will be informed in writing within 30 days after the application process closes. If you applied during a previous recruiting session and were not hired, we encourage you to apply again! However, please note that you will need to start the application process from the beginning (including resubmission of application and retesting).

Class 108 Recruiting Timeline (Fall 2023)

  • Applications accepted: September 5th-October 16th
  • Testing closes: October 18th
  • Interviews end: October 26th
  • Training class starts: November 20th

Salary and Benefits

New 9-1-1 Telecommunicators start at a particular salary and then receive two increases within the first several months on the job:

  • Starting salary during classroom training (first 12-15 weeks): $39,382.74
  • Salary during on-the-job training (next two to four months): $45,600.90
  • Salary after certification (most staff reach approximately six months after their first day of training): $50,400.91

There are plenty of additional steps for advancement available to 9-1-1 Telecommunicators, each of which comes with a salary increase. Additional information will be provided upon completion of the initial training and certification processes.

Employee benefits include, but are not limited to:

  • Generous Annual Leave & Vacation: 80 hours of vacation time (increasing to 120 hours after 5 years of service), 40 hours of personal time, 11 paid County holidays, sick time, and additional leave for bereavement, military leave, jury duty, and more.
  • Health & Wellness Support: access to a variety of programs, workshops, and resources to support our employees’ physical, mental, and behavioral wellbeing.
  • Tuition Reimbursement: 75% of an employee’s approved tuition costs, fees, books, and equipment up to an annual maximum of $5,250.
  • MCCC Two for One Tuition Program: for every course paid in full, both in-class or online, the student (either employee or dependent) will receive a tuition waiver for one additional course of equal or lesser credit value for that semester.
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Montgomery County is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on certain federal student loans after a borrower has made 120 monthly payments while working for a government agency or non-profit organization.

For detailed information about County benefits, including comprehensive healthcare coverage, paid parental leave, and pension, visit www.montcopa.org/benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hours will I work?

All shifts are currently 12-hours in duration and begin at either 7:00 am or 7:00 pm.  New Telecommunicators should expect to be assigned to the 7:00 pm - 7:00 am shift (night shift) for a minimum of 24 months. A typical two-week cycle would be the following:

Week 1
Monday, Tuesday - WORK
Wednesday, Thursday - OFF
Friday, Saturday, Sunday - WORK

Week 2
Monday, Tuesday - OFF
Wednesday, Thursday - WORK
Friday, Saturday, Sunday - OFF

Are you hiring part-time Telecommunicators?

Telecommunicators are highly trained, highly skilled professionals who must constantly stay abreast of changing technology.  It is difficult to maintain this level of skill on a part-time basis. Therefore, we are not currently hiring part-time employees.

Did you receive my application?

Once applications are received, Department of Public Safety staff will reach out to schedule CritiCall testing.  If you have not received an email or phone call regarding testing, please contact our office at (610) 631-6500 during business hours.

Is there a residency requirement?

No, there is no requirement to be a Montgomery County resident.

Questions

If you have additional questions, please call (610) 631-6500 during business hours.