What are the responsibilities and job description for the Public Safety Communications Call Taker - Part Time position at Carson City, NV?
Description
This is a part-time, FLSA non-exempt position, not to exceed 1,039 hours in any fiscal year, July 1 through June 30. Under immediate supervision, this position performs a variety of duties involved in the receipt and processing of emergency 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls.
The Communications Center provides 24 hours a day, seven days a week public safety emergency and non-emergency dispatch services. Due to a high degree of liability which can incur to individuals in this position as well as to Carson City, the training period for this position requires daily and weekly observations where the individual will be required to demonstrate verbal and practical skill improvements.
Individuals in this position must be willing to work a varied schedule, which could include day, swing or graveyard shift. Assigned shifts may change every three months.Once completing the training program, employees can anticipate a work schedule of Tuesdays - Fridays, 1100-1600 hours but that can vary
Important Job Information:
*This position connects the public to law enforcement and fire/rescue services.
*This position requires assisting callers who are victims, survivors, and witnesses of all types of emergency situations and crime, while obtaining and entering essential information regarding emergency situations into a computer.
*This position is privy to confidential emergency situations and details, helping both emergency callers and public safety/emergency personnel as situations are happening and must remain calm, focused, organized, and able to recall information instantly and keep everyone informed of activities at all times.
*Situations that employees deal with over the phone can be exciting, challenging, violent, alarming, and distressing under emergency circumstances and deadlines.
*Employees must have excellent skills in the following: interpersonal, customer service, organizational, coping, diplomacy, tact, compassion and patience.
Please apply only if you are sure that you are prepared to work under the conditions outlined above.
Recruitment Process:
Recruitment Process: The recruitment process for this position consists of the following steps: an online skills test (Govworx) which measures job related skills such as typing, spelling, speed, map reading, listening, memory, and other aptitude skills, an in-person interview scheduled for Thursday, November 19, 2026, a background check, Computer Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA), and drug screen. You may also have an opportunity to "sit-along" with a current Dispatcher to see what the job is really like. The performance in each step is reviewed, so applicants are not guaranteed to move to the next step. Individuals who are invited to take the online skills test (Govworx) can access study and practice material here: Candidate Guide: CommsCoach HIRE Assessment | GovWorx Help Center
The skills assessment is required to be completed prior to the interview. The invitation to the skills test needs to be accepted within 72 hours and completed no later than 7 days from the initial invitation.
You must use a computer with the following functioning hardware:
- Mouse and Keyboard
- Microphone and Speakers
- Webcam (or built-in computer video camera)
- Stable Internet Connection
If you do not have a computer, please reach out to Michaela Pence at mpence@carsoncity.gov to arrange an onsite testing date.
Examples of Duties
This class specification lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not all-inclusive. Incumbent(s) may be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document, and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge and skills.
- Receive and process emergency and non-emergency service calls from the public requesting law enforcement, fire personnel, emergency medical services (EMS) or other county services; determine nature, location, responder safety information and priority of incident; recall citizens as necessary.
- Enter incident reports into the computer system accurately and completely, or appropriately refer citizen; input addresses, locations, citizen information, and other pertinent information; update or cancel events as needed; document errors.
- Transfer calls to appropriate agencies, as needed; answer calls from other agencies and take appropriate action as needed.
- Perform records checks for law enforcement and other authorized county personnel, with accuracy and confidentiality, as needed.
- Document officer information on suspects; confirm, enter or validate warrants and previous arrests, update information as needed; advise affected personnel of information updates; run checks of guns, property or other items for wants and registrations.
- Verify and relay information between emergency responders, citizens and others as needed via telephone, mobile computer terminals, and the radio.
- Maintain a variety of automated and manual logs, records and files related to dispatching activities. Perform a variety of record keeping, filing, indexing and other general clerical work; print messages from the computer screen as needed.
- Read, update, and remain current on pertinent Agency and Communications Division policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
- Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the Sheriff’s Office service to its customers by offering suggestions and directing or participating as an active member of a team.
- Uses standard office equipment, including a computer, in the course of the work.
- Demonstrates courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with the public and City staff; acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment.
Typical Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Education and Experience:
Equivalent to high school diploma or GED; AND one (1) year of call taking or customer service experience; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources.
REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:
The following licenses/certificates must be possessed at time of hire/promotion unless otherwise stated and must remain valid and in good standing during employment:
- Valid driver’s license
- Must obtain Emergency Medical Dispatch certificate within 3 months of employment.
- Must obtain the NCIC/NCJIS certificate within 3 months of employment.
- Must obtain CPR certificate within 3 months of employment.
Required Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of:
- Geographic features and directional information; and the location of major streets, highways, rivers, public places and geographical landmarks in Carson City.
- Call screening techniques and phone etiquette.
- The general functions of the Sheriff’s Office, Fire Department, and Public Works Department.
- Standard office practices and procedures, including records management.
- Techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds over the telephone.
Skill in:
- Working under pressure, exercising good judgment and making sound and timely decisions in emergency and non-emergency situations.
- Understanding and following oral and written instructions; and performing multiple unrelated tasks at one time.
- Communicating clearly, correctly and concisely both orally and in writing during emergency and non-emergency situations.
- Recalling, summarizing, prioritizing and categorizing information.
- Effectively listening to, communicating with, and eliciting information from upset, emotional, mentally disturbed, irate, threatening individuals, including those under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Dealing successfully with a variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, in person and over the telephone.
- Quickly and accurately following written and oral instruction.
- Learning rules and regulations quickly and interpreting them correctly.
- Hearing and distinguishing between several voices at the same time while acquiring and retaining information.
- Functioning efficiently and calmly under pressure
- Typing accurately with a minimum speed of 35 words per minute.
- Quickly and accurately operating complex computerized equipment.
- Reading and understanding maps.
- Monitoring multiple computer screens simultaneously.
- Using a headset.
- Using research techniques.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Under General Supervision - Incumbents at this level are closely supervised in essentially all aspects of their assigned work with the exception of routine and basic tasks. Work methods are generally prescribed in specific terms. They usually follow an established routine with general assignments, and their work is subject to frequent reviews. The position may involve repetition of a limited number of tasks that after initial training and review warrant only occasional supervisory review.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Independent mobility to work in a typical office setting, use standard office equipment and to perform job tasks such as using and viewing a keyboard, mouse, monitor screens, turning
pages, handwriting, and typing; and stamina to sit or stand for extended periods of time without leaving the work location; strength to lift and carry up to 20 pounds; vision to read printed materials and computer screens simultaneously; and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone; work is subject to exposure to periods of intense stress, long periods of standing and/or sitting.
Supplemental Information
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
- Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
- Any City employee may be required to stay at or return to work during emergencies to perform duties specific to this classification or to perform other duties as requested in an assigned response position. This may require working a non-traditional work schedule, working overtime, being placed on stand-by, and working outside normal assigned duties during the incident and/or emergency.
- Employees will be required to successfully pass and maintain Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certification, NCIC/NCJIS certification and CPR certification.
- New employees are required to submit to a fingerprint-based background investigation and drug screen. The fee associated with the background check and drug test must be paid for by the employee prior to beginning employment. Employment is contingent upon passing the background and the drug screen.
- Carson City participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered employment with Carson City must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment. Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made. For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at 775.887.2103 or go to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at www.uscis.gov.
- Carson City is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Part-time employees are limited to working no more than 1,039 hours in any fiscal year, July 1 through June 30. Part-time employees are not eligible to receive paid leave (including pay for not working on holidays), PERS retirement, or medical/dental/vision/life insurance. Nevada does not have a state income tax. Part-time employees do not contribute to social security; however, they must contribute 7.5% of their gross pay into a FICA Alternative Plan and are also responsible for paying the 1.45% Medicare tax. Part-time employees are covered under the City’s worker’s compensation program.
For additional information, please contact Human Resources at (775) 887-2103.
Salary : $18,702