Police Dispatcher (Grade 11/7) - City of Huntsville, AL : Job Details

Salary: $22.19 Hourly Location : Huntsville, AL Job Type: Full-Time Job Number: 5919 Department: Police Opening Date: 07/22/2025 Closing Date: 8/5/2025 6:00 PM Central Nature of Work THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE'S POLICE DEPARTMENT WANTS YOU! The City of Huntsville's Police department is seeking qualified applicants to fill our Police Dispatcher position(s). Exciting Career Opportunities for Smart and Talented People.Come join our growing Police Team! Apply today! About our Department: Huntsville Police's Communication Division proudly employs a team of highly motivated individuals who are often the department's first line of communication with the public during an emergency. Primary responsibilities include fast and efficient work in dispatching and processing calls to appropriate personnel. The Huntsville Police Department (HPD) is located near the City's downtown business and historic districts. Huntsville has 3 Police Precincts, approximately 500 sworn officers, 200 civilian personnel and patrols an area of around 220 square miles. HPD is a Professional Law Enforcement Organization utilizing modern technology, state of the art equipment and comprehensive training techniques. The Department is an internationally accredited law enforcement agency through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement (CALEA). Police Dispatcher Position Overview: This is specialized communications work in receiving and dispatching accurate information on an assigned shift to appropriate personnel. Positions in this class are employed in police communications and dispatch personnel based on seven-digit calls and 911 calls. Work involves responsibility for the operation of specialized radio utilizing multiple channels and frequencies in a communication center. Position requires fast, efficient, and accurate receiving, dispatching, and processing of calls and messages from and to appropriate vehicles and personnel. Employees work with considerable independence, subject to instructions or orders to meet special operating circumstances or emergencies. Qualifications and Necessary Special Requirements: High school diploma from a school accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or GED certificate issued by the appropriate state agency and some experience in operating communications equipment and basic computers. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.Must successfully complete a pre-employment supplemental application and polygraph examination.Must submit to a pre-employment fingerprinting background check.Must pass a pre-employment skills examination and type at least 30 words per minute on a computer keyboard. Must obtain Police Association of Public Safety Communications Officers (APCO) Certification within 6 months of hire or promotion.Must obtain Alabama Criminal Justice Information Systems (ACJIS) Certification within 6 months of hire or promotion.Required Qualifications: ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND A MANDATORY POSITION OVERVIEW/ORIENTATION CONDUCTED BY POLICE COMMUNICATIONS PERSONNEL AT THE HUNTSVILLE MADISON COUNTY 911 CENTER - 1570 OLD MONROVIA RD NW. HUNTSVILLE, AL 35806. APPLICANTS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE - THOSE WHO MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS - MAY SELF SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE MANDATORY POLICE DISPATCHER ORIENTATION/EXAM IMMEDIATELY AFTER SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION USING THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW. THE DEADLINE TO SELF-SCHEDULE FOR THE ORIENTATION/EXAM IS TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2025, AT 6:00 PM. AFTER THE POSITION OVERVIEW/ORIENTATION, THOSE WHO WISH TO CONTINUE IN THE PROCESS, WILL BE REQUIRED TO TAKE AN EXAM PROCTORED BY POLICE COMMUNICATIONS PERSONNEL. THE ORIENTATION AND TESTING WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY 2-3 HOURS. INSTRUCTIONS TO SELF SCHEDULE: Click on your username in the upper right-hand corner

Log into click the Your Account or Sign In link

Log in as a Career Seeker

Click on your username in the upper right-hand corner

Click the Application Status link

Click the Schedule Exam link

Select the desired available exam date/time and location (Out of town applicants that are not able to attend the dates available, must contact Sgt. Dana Springfield at 256-###-#### for more information regarding the orientation/exam)

Click Submit Applicants who self-schedule for the mandatory Police Dispatcher Orientation/Exam will receive an email with additional information prior to their appointment date/time. Additionally, applicants must present a valid driver's license or photo ID at the time of their appointment. Applicants who arrive late, fail to attend, or fail to make other arrangements, will be automatically eliminated from the hiring process. Applicants who successfully pass the exam will be eligible for an oral interview and must also pass an extensive background investigation which includes a supplemental application, polygraph, fingerprinting background, and pre-employment physical and drug-screening test.

For More Information Regarding the Police Dispatcher Job Duties, Please Visit the Websites Below: The City of Huntsville offers a competitive benefits package for its regular, full-time employees, such as medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death & dismemberment, cancer, off-the-job accident, as well as annual leave, sick leave, holiday and retirement. Below is a summary of the City's benefit offerings: The City of Huntsville offers a comprehensive benefit program to all full-time employees. For most benefits, a 30-day waiting period from date of eligibility will apply. Medical Insurance All eligible and ACA eligible employees may enroll in the City of Huntsville's group health plans administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama; Blue Card PPO and High Deductible PPO. Benefits include medical/surgical, prescription coverage, and more. Mental Health/Substance Abuse A mental health benefit and substance abuse program is offered through Behavioral Health Systems, Incorporated (BHS). These benefits are included as part of the group health plan. Services may be accessed by contacting BHS. A designated Care Coordinator for the City of Huntsville can assist with referrals to network providers. Dental Plan The City offers a dental plan administered by Delta Dental Insurance Company to eligible full-time employees. This plan offers coverage for Preventive and Diagnostic Services, Basic and Major Services, and Orthodontic coverage (for dependent children under the age of 19.) A deductible of $50 per person/calendar year applies for Basic and Major Services. The deductible is waived for Diagnostic and Preventative services and a plan maximum of $2,000/year/covered patient. Orthodontics carries a $2,000/lifetime max/patient. Vision Plan The City's vision plan is offered and administered by Vision Service Plan (VSP). VSP provides vision benefits, co-pays for eye exams, frames, and eyeglass lenses, as applicable, and an allowance for contact lenses. The plan also offers exclusive Member Extras for additional savings. Retirement The City's retirement plan is administered by the Retirement System of Alabama (RSA). Participation is mandatory for all regular full and part-time employees. Employees contribute a percentage of their salary to the plan. The City contributes a percentage as determined by RSA. Life Insurance The City provides a $20,000 group life insurance policy to all full-time employees through Lincoln Financial Insurance Company. Eligible employees are covered after completing one full day of work and coverage is provided at no-cost to the employee. Additional benefits may apply in the event of accidental death or dismemberment. Disability Insurance The City provides a limited long term disability policy for eligible employees with one year of service, but less than ten years of service. There is no cost to the employee for this coverage. After ten years of service, disability benefits may be requested through the Retirement System of Alabama (RSA). Voluntary Life / AD&D The City offers eligible employees an optional voluntary term life insurance benefit. Employees may apply to purchase additional term life insurance for self, spouse, and eligible dependents. Guarantee issue amounts are available if voluntary life benefits are elected within 30 days of eligibility. Premiums for employee and spouse are based upon age. Child Life is a flat rate based on the level of coverage. The City also offers an optional voluntary accidental death & dismemberment insurance plan. Employees may purchase insurance for self or family. The plans are administered by Lincoln Financial Insurance Company. Please refer to the plan summary for additional information. Supplemental Voluntary Benefits The City offers voluntary Cancer and Off-the-Job Accident plans administered by Allstate Benefits. The Cancer plan provides first occurrence, hospital confinement, radiation & chemotherapy, and other benefits. The Off-the-Job Accident plan provides benefits for injuries occurring off the job. Please refer to the brochures for an explanation of covered benefits. Flexible Spending Accounts The City offers two flexible spending account options to assist with unreimbursed medical expenses and dependent care expenses. These pre-taxed accounts require a qualifying receipt and may be reimbursed by mail or direct deposit. A pre-loaded debit card is available for enrollees in the medical account. The flexible spending accounts are administered by Health Equity/WageWorks. Financial Wellness The City provides a confidential financial wellness program through SmartDollar for all full-time employees. The program offers online tools and a step-by-step plan that is self-paced to help employees as they journey to reach their financial goals. There is no cost to the employee for participation. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) We know that dealing with day-to-day stresses can be distracting. The City provides a confidential EAP program to assist with life's stresses. EAP services may be coordinated through Behavioral Health Systems (BHS) or through the Employee Resources and Program Manager at the City's Health & Wellness Center. Resources may include substance abuse, grief and loss, marriage/family communication, managing stress and depression, parenting, and more. There is no waiting period for this benefit. Health & Wellness Center Powered by Premise Health/CareHere The City's Health & Wellness Center is more than just a clinic. The Center provides cost-effective health care and on-line services at no cost to the individual. Open Monday through Saturday, the Center provides medical services including acute, primary, and preventive care, as well as annual physicals. The Center also offers routine blood work, immunizations, wellness coaching, chronic disease management, many generic medications dispensed on-site, and much more. If an onsite appointment isn't possible, Telehealth Services are available 24/7/365. All City employees, covered retirees, and covered dependents age 3 and above are eligible for services at the Center as well as telehealth services. Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plans The City provides two optional voluntary deferred compensation plans: RSA-1 (State of Alabama) and Nationwide Retirement Solutions. Employees may defer portions of salary for a later date, such as retirement. Please see the Payroll Division of the Finance Department for further details. Sick Leave Sick leave accrual is 4 hours per pay period for all eligible City employees. There is no accrual maximum for employee sick leave. Annual Leave Annual leave for eligible employees is accrued as follows: less than 10 years = 4 hours per pay period; 10 to 15 years = 5 hours per pay period; 15 to 20 years = 6 hours per pay period; 20 or more years = 7 hours per pay period. Employees may accrue and carry forward 260 hours (or the equivalent for fire suppression) to the next calendar year. Military Leave The City provides a military leave plan that pays regular salary for not more than twenty-one days per year. Also, employees called into active service may receive compensation in an amount equal to the difference in the lower military pay and the higher public employment salary as provided by City Council Ordinance. Holidays The City recognizes the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Two additional floating holidays may be declared each year at the discretion of the Mayor. Longevity Pay The City pays eligible employees compensation based upon the number of months of continuous regular full-time service as of October 1st of each year. College 529 Savings Program The City makes it easy for friends and family to give the gift of a college education. The 529 college savings program is administered by CollegeCounts, through payroll deduction, and offers tax advantages and other benefits. Other Benefits Please refer to the City of Huntsville Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual. Disclosure: The City offers a robust benefits program to eligible employees. The list above offers a summary of those benefits. The information is intended as a general reference and should in no way be construed as a promise or guarantee of employment or benefit coverage. Please refer to the appropriate Summary Plan Description (SPD) or contact the City of Huntsville Benefits Office for more details. If there is a conflict between this information and the actual plan document or policies, the plan documents or policies will always govern. 01 A valid driver's license is a necessary special requirement for this position. Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

02 If yes to question #1 what is the expiration date? (Must be presented as mm/dd/yyyy)) 03 Do you have a high school diploma from a school accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or GED certificate issued by the appropriate state agency?

• Yes
• No

04 Do you acknowledge that Police Dispatchers normally work four (4) days per week, twelve (12) hours per shift including nights, weekends, and holidays?

• Yes
• No

05 Upon submission of your application, do you acknowledge that it is your responsibility to self-schedule for one of the available mandatory Police Dispatcher orientations/exams? (Please reference the job announcement for self-scheduling instructions).

• Yes
• No

06 Do you understand that if you arrive late, fail to attend, or fail to make other arrangements regarding the mandatory Police Dispatcher orientation/exam you will be removed from the hiring process?

• Yes
• No

07 Do you acknowledge that you will be required to present a valid driver's license or photo ID during your scheduled mandatory Police Dispatcher orientation/exam?

• Yes
• No

08 Do you acknowledge that you must pass a mandatory skills examination, including a typing test, administered by police personnel following the mandatory position orientation?

• Yes
• No

09 Do you acknowledge that Police Dispatcher applicants, those eligible to continue in the hiring process after an oral interview, must successfully complete a pre-employment supplemental application, polygraph examination, and fingerprinting background?

• Yes
• No

10 Do you acknowledge that you must obtain Police Association of Public Safety Communications Officers (APCO) Certification within 6 months of hire or promotion?

• Yes
• No

11 Do you acknowledge that you must obtain Alabama Criminal Justice Information Systems (ACJIS) Certification within 6 months of hire or promotion?

• Yes
• No

12 Do you have experience as a public safety dispatcher? (If no, does not disqualify)

• Yes
• No

13 Do you have experience operating communications equipment and basic computers?

• Yes
• No

Required Question