What does a telecommunicator do?
A telecommunicator receives calls and obtains information from people in need of assistance. Telecommunicators, also called 911 or public safety dispatchers, use a two-way radio in dispatching the right services to police officers, first responders, and firefighters. The telecommunicators coordinate communications between emergency personnel, police, and the public. They keep detailed records as well as trace drivers and their automobiles. The skills and knowledge necessary for this job include a dispatch system, public safety, and stressful situation management.
Telecommunicator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real telecommunicator resumes:
- Help organize telecommunication PSAP and back-up PSAP weekly.
- Use NCIC and FCIC and provide accurate information for search.
- Provide CPR instructions over the phone until emergency personnel arrive at location.
- Monitor radio communications at the same time and update cad throughout emergency.
- Monitor activities of officers on patrol and makes radio contact to ensure safety.
- Maintain licenses to NCIC, FCIC, NLETS and other law enforcement information network.
- Dispatch proper fire, ems, and police as well as other units on calls.
- Check local wants/warrants on people, as well as NCIC status on people and property.
- Obtain, verify and record all necessary information from the caller and EMD if need.
- Provide callers with CPR and other lifesaving assistance over the phone until emergency units' arrival.
- Operate computer, telephone system and telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) quickly and accurately.
- Dispatch all law enforcement, fire and rescue, ems, and various agencies involve with the county.
- Use of NCIC, an FBI database to run criminal histories on individuals deem necessary to assist law enforcement organizations.
- Work closely with several coworkers assisting with tasks as needed, contributing to ease of work-flow and maintaining patrol standards.
- Deter crime observe and report abnormalities, suspicious activity, facility maintenance issues and supervision of the CCTV.
Telecommunicator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Telecommunicators are proficient in Computer Aided Dispatch, CAD, and EMS. They’re also known for soft skills such as Ability to multitask, Communication skills, and Empathy.
We break down the percentage of Telecommunicators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Computer Aided Dispatch, 14%
Operated Computer Aided Dispatch communications equipment, and performed related duties as assigned.
- CAD, 7%
Operate a National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer, and a computer aided mobile dispatch (CAD) system.
- EMS, 6%
Dispatch Police and EMS units via radio transmissions; informing units of additional information and maintain communications providing unit safety.
- NCIC, 6%
Use of NCIC, an FBI database to run criminal histories on individuals deemed necessary to assist law enforcement organizations.
- Patrol, 4%
Worked closely with several coworkers assisting with tasks as needed, contributing to ease of work-flow and maintaining patrol standards.
- Dispatch System, 4%
Evaluate information received and utilize protocols provided through the computer-aided dispatch system to determine appropriate action or actions to be taken.
"computer aided dispatch," "cad," and "ems" are among the most common skills that telecommunicators use at work. You can find even more telecommunicator responsibilities below, including:
Ability to multitask. The most essential soft skill for a telecommunicator to carry out their responsibilities is ability to multitask. This skill is important for the role because "public safety telecommunicators must stay calm in order to simultaneously answer calls, collect vital information, coordinate responders, monitor multiple displays, and use a variety of equipment." Additionally, a telecommunicator resume shows how their duties depend on ability to multitask: "completed quality assurance reviews for medical calls received by each employee within the agency to ensure compliance with emd standards. "
Communication skills. Many telecommunicator duties rely on communication skills. "public safety telecommunicators work with law enforcement, emergency response teams, and civilians," so a telecommunicator will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways telecommunicator responsibilities rely on communication skills: "operate a variety of communications equipment, including radio consoles, telephones and computer systems. "
Empathy. telecommunicators are also known for empathy, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to telecommunicator responsibilities, because "public safety telecommunicators must be willing to help a range of callers with varying needs." A telecommunicator resume example shows how empathy is used in the workplace: "trained new employees on customer service etiquette as well as understanding the eve operator system. "
Listening skills. A big part of what telecommunicators do relies on "listening skills." You can see how essential it is to telecommunicator responsibilities because "public safety telecommunicators must listen carefully to collect relevant details, even though some callers might have trouble speaking because of anxiety or stress." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical telecommunicator tasks: "take telephone calls and listen carefully to the caller attaining the location of emergency and type of emergency services needed. "
Typing skills. A commonly-found skill in telecommunicator job descriptions, "typing skills" is essential to what telecommunicators do. Telecommunicator responsibilities rely on this skill because "public safety telecommunicators enter the details of calls into computers; typing speed and accuracy are essential when responding to emergencies." You can also see how telecommunicator duties rely on typing skills in this resume example: "used multitasking skills; answering phones, redirecting calls, typing reports, radio communications and public relations. "
The three companies that hire the most telecommunicators are:
- Middlebury College4 telecommunicators jobs
- Village of Orland Park4 telecommunicators jobs
- FirstHealth of the Carolinas2 telecommunicators jobs
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Compare different telecommunicators
Telecommunicator vs. Operations/dispatch
An operations dispatcher is a communication liaison between delivery drivers, customers, and an operations center of a delivery service or distributorship. You should effectively communicate with drivers for timely and efficient deliveries and inform customers of expected times of delivery. Operations dispatchers develop the most efficient delivery routes and keep in touch with drivers throughout a delivery run, monitor any abrupt changes on the routes such as constructions, and work with management to alter set routes to accommodate customer needs.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a telecommunicator are more likely to require skills like "emd," "public safety agencies," "medical dispatch," and "stressful situations." On the other hand, a job as an operations/dispatch requires skills like "quality customer service," "emergency situations," "non-emergency calls," and "cctv." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Operations/dispatches earn the highest salaries when working in the government industry, with an average yearly salary of $43,789. On the other hand, telecommunicators are paid more in the government industry with an average salary of $38,270.operations/dispatches tend to reach similar levels of education than telecommunicators. In fact, operations/dispatches are 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Telecommunicator vs. Call taker
A call taker works at a call or dispatch center, where they are primarily in charge of answering calls, identifying the callers' needs, and coordinating services to assist them right away. Although their responsibilities depend on their company or industry of employment, it usually involves answering inquiries, processing requests, arranging appointments or reservations, and handling issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. When it comes to employment, a call taker may work for 911 dispatch centers, taxi companies, towing services, and private hotlines.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, telecommunicator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "emergency services," "medical dispatch," "radio communications," and "two-way radio." Meanwhile, a call taker has duties that require skills in areas such as "taker," "customer service," "emergency situations," and "gps." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Call takers earn a lower average salary than telecommunicators. But call takers earn the highest pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $42,836. Additionally, telecommunicators earn the highest salaries in the government with average pay of $38,270 annually.call takers earn similar levels of education than telecommunicators in general. They're 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Telecommunicator vs. Public safety dispatcher
A public safety dispatcher is primarily responsible for handling emergency or non-emergency calls from the public. They are in charge of identifying the caller's needs calmly and proactively, dispatching law enforcement officers or emergency responders at the scene in a timely and efficient manner. They must operate communications equipment, manage schedules, and quickly adapt to any situation as the calls can be unpredictable and critical. Furthermore, as a public safety dispatcher, it is essential to maintain records of all calls and interactions, adhering to the organization's policies and regulations at all times.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from telecommunicator resumes include skills like "emergency services," "medical dispatch," "field training," and "telecommunication," whereas a public safety dispatcher is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "good judgment," "telephone calls," and "criminal history. "
Public safety dispatchers make a very good living in the government industry with an average annual salary of $39,953. On the other hand, telecommunicators are paid the highest salary in the government industry, with average annual pay of $38,270.When it comes to education, public safety dispatchers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to telecommunicators. In fact, they're 2.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Telecommunicator vs. Radio dispatcher
Types of telecommunicator
Updated January 8, 2025
