What's it like to be a 911 dispatcher?

Question

there's a job opening in my home town and i was thinking of applying. what kind of qualifications do you need?

Answer 1

You need excellent communication skills including typing/ written and verbal communication.

Answer 2

Good listing, fast typing, good eye sight and most of all Common sense.

Answer 3

Stressful...

Answer 4

Qualifications are dependant on the agency accepting applications.  There is no general answer that applies to all agencies.  They will be looking for people able to multitask many things at once along with being able to handle stressful situations, good with advanced computer systems, able to work any time and any day of the week among MANY other things.

It can be very rewarding, but it is also very stressful.  You'll be working holidays, weekends, on your kids birthdays, your husbands birthday, your anniversary, etc....  So, if you are married and/or have kids are they and you prepared for that?

The pay is also dependant on the agency your applying at.  It can be as bad as $7.00 per hour or you may start at $21.00 an hour.  Really depends on area, cost of living, size of agency, etc....

I highly susgest you ask to do a "sit-a-long" at the 911 center you are interested in.  Pick a busy night and observe the work environment, make sure it is something you CAN and WANT to do.

Good luck!