Field Unit Local Hiring Authority (FUL) Public Safety Dispatcher

Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as permanent appointments but do not provide work on a year-round basis. You will work for approximately 25 pay periods and you will be in a non-pay status for the remainder of the year. Non-pay status will be from Late-January to Mid-February.

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:

• Coordinate initial emergency response evaluating incidents soliciting all necessary information and applying judgement according to interagency guides protocols and pre-plans.
• Receive and evaluate emergency calls soliciting information to initiate an appropriate response of emergency services personnel acquiring critical information (law enforcement fire medical search and rescue etc.) from the public and other public safety agencies.
• Use a variety of specialized computer programs such as National Criminal Information Center (NCIC) National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) and Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) in the performance of dispatch duties.
• Dependent on location the center may dispatch for multi-jurisdictional all-risk incidents (law enforcement wildland fire structural fire aviation intelligence medical search and rescue and other emergency services) and collaborate with federal state county and local agencies.

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level. At the GS-7 and GS-8 grade levels employees will serve as the senior dispatcher on staff providing orientation training and leadership for lower graded or new dispatchers under the direction of the Lead Dispatcher and Dispatch Center Managers. At this level Dispatchers are expected to be able to troubleshoot issues and contribute to more efficient operations by reviewing and making recommendations for improvement of operating procedures.

Physical Demands: The incumbent must function efficiently in a confined space for extended periods of time with no breaks and no opportunity to leave the confines of the dispatch center. Public Safety Dispatchers are considered essential employees meaning they are required to work most holidays report for duty during adverse weather conditions and work long hours exceeding normally scheduled shifts in case of emergencies. The nature of the work is primarily sedentary performing office tasks and occasionally bending and lifting during the movement of records and materials. The incumbent is subject to rotating shift work and uncommon tours of duty. Work requires the use of voice in vocal communications for periods of hours at a time. Voice must be clear audible and tone effective with words plainly spoken and understandable. Incumbent must be able to hear clearly and discern a variety of audible communications and signals simultaneously. The work is of an emergency nature and is often emotionally stressful. Incumbent must possess manual dexterity sufficient to operate computer terminals/keyboards and related equipment and to maintain written and electronic logs.

Working Conditions: Work is normally performed in a specialized office setting which is well-lighted and temperature controlled. The setting is confined and secure with controlled entry and egress. Radios are continuously monitored and telephones constantly ring resulting in periods of excessive and constant noise. Incumbent must be able to concentrate on work projects amidst noise interruptions and the movements of others. The incumbent will occasionally be assigned to accompany field personnel in patrol vehicles for area and function familiarization. When performing duties of Public Safety Dispatcher the incumbent may not leave the dispatch center unless relieved by another qualified Public Safety Dispatcher.

• Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born aftermust be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more visit possess and maintain a valid drivers license throughout employment.
• Pre-employment and random drug testing are required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.
• You may be required to work on-call evenings weekends holidays overtime and shift work.
• You may be required to travel overnight away from home. You may be required to obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
• First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.
• Pay will vary based on grade level and/or duty location for which youre selected
• You must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.

Additional Requirements located under qualifications

Requirements Continued...
Probationary Period As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.

This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest meet the organization goals and mission of the agency and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the determining if your employment advances the public interest the agency will consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Under applicable law the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies in writing that the individuals employment should continue and that their appointment should be the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications:

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/08/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. All candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements.

To receive credit for experience your resume MUST state either full-time (or 40 hours a week) or part-time with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level you must possess at least one of the following:
At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-4 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Examples of qualifying specialized experience include but are not limited to the following: perform work that provides familiarity with public safety policies and procedures such as but not limited to working as a security guard law enforcement officer or emergency responder (medical or search and rescue); relay information from callers using a multi-line telephone or multi-frequency radio system to initiate a response; serve as a dispatcher for safety or non-safety services (i.e. perform dispatch functions on a fire construction site other) You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least four years of education above high school in any field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. The education must have been attained in an accredited college or university. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. For example 6 months of specialized experience (50% of the specialized experience) and three years of education above high school (50% of the education) would qualify an applicant for this position. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e. beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts.

To qualify for this position at the GS-06 grade level you must possess the following:
At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Examples of qualifying specialized experience include but are not limited to the following: provide dispatch and/or call taking services related to public safety (medical law enforcement search and rescue fire or other emergencies/public safety related); operate computer systems such as but not limited to National Criminal Information Network (NCIC) National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) or similar systems that aid in public safety dispatching to run queries and document communications. You must include hours per week worked.

To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level you must possess the following:
At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Examples of qualifying specialized experience include but are not limited to the following: provide dispatch and call taking services in a communications center that provides public safety (medical law enforcement search and rescue fire or other emergencies/public safety related) dispatch operation in a complex environment (i.e. remote/urban environment wildland fire or other complex environments or situations); coordinate responses to emergency incidents by initiating response of personnel and equipment according to agency protocols and providing communication and logistical support to responders; operate computer systems such as but not limited to National Criminal Information Network (NCIC) National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) or similar systems that aid in public safety dispatching to run queries and document communications. You must include hours per week worked.

To qualify for this position at the GS-08 grade level you must possess the following:
At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) Examples of qualifying specialized experience include but are not limited to the following: provide dispatch and call taking services in a communications center that provides public safety (medical law enforcement search and rescue fire or other emergencies/public safety related) dispatch operation in a complex environment (i.e. remote/urban environment serves more than one division unit jurisdiction and/or agency or other complex situations); coordinate responses to emergency incidents by initiating response of personnel and equipment according to agency protocols and providing communication and logistical support to responders; operate computer systems such as but not limited to National Criminal Information Network (NCIC) National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) or similar systems that aid in public safety dispatching to interpret information run queries and document communications; review internal operating procedures and systems related to public safety to make recommendations for improvement; provide technical guidance orientation and training to new employees or lower level dispatchers. You must include hours per week worked.