Public Safety Telecommunicator

Looking for a career you can be proud of? Consider becoming a Public Safety Telecommunicator with Goodhue County!

We are seeking candidates who welcome a challenge, can remain calm during high-stress situations, and have the ability to be a steady voice when others need help most.

As a Public Safety Telecommunicator, you may help someone obtain critical medical assistance, coordinate resources to locate a missing child, or ensure a law enforcement officer receives the backup they need. These are just a few examples of the meaningful situations you will be trained to manage.

This highly technical and fast-paced position requires strong communication skills, sound judgment, adaptability, and teamwork. If you are forward-thinking, comfortable managing changing priorities, and interested in making a difference through public service, you may be exactly who we are looking for.

Apply today and begin a rewarding career serving the residents, responders, and communities of Goodhue County.

Not all heroes wear capes, some wear headsets!

Position Objective

Provide skilled emergency communications services by receiving requests for assistance and accurately transmitting information to law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and other public safety agencies.

This position is responsible for maintaining efficient and professional communications between the public, law enforcement personnel, and other public safety partners.

Minimum Qualifications

To be considered for this position, applicants must possess the following:

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Experience in high-volume customer service, fast-paced retailor restaurant service, or other multitasking environment.
• Proficient computer skills and experience.
• Ability to type a minimum of 40 words per minute.
• Ability to work varied shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Preference may be given to applicants with:

• Public Safety Telecommunicator (911 Dispatcher), police, fire, or emergency medical dispatching experience with a city, county, or state agency.
• Public safety experience, such as work as a Community Service Officer, police clerk, police officer, volunteer firefighter, or emergency medical technician, or paramedic.
• Knowledge of or experience with the ARMER radio system

• Familiarity with Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems and Records Management Systems (RMS).

Desired Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to geographically orient using maps or GIS tools and accurately interpret address and location information.
• Ability to learn the laws, ordinances, policies, terminology, jurisdictions boundaries, streets, and addresses within the service area.
• Knowledge of emergency medical dispatching and the identification of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests over the telephone.
• Ability to learn and effectively use multiple software programs and technical systems.
• Ability to communicate clearly by radio, telephone and computer, especially under pressure or during simultaneous incidents.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public officials, coworkers, emergency responders, and member of the public.
• Ability to make timely and accurate decisions little margin of error.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and competing priorities simultaneously. 

Work Environment and Physical Demands

The primary responsibilities of this position are performed indoors within the Goodhue County Public Safety Answering Point. The position involves infrequent exposure to health hazards or accidents and requires a low level of physical effort.

Work is performed under the general supervision of a Public Safety Telecommunicator Sergeant.

Hours of Work

This position requires shift work, including nights, weekends, holidays, and rotating days off.

Compensation & Benefits 

The Public Safety Telecommunicator position is compensated at Salary Grade 108 of the Goodhue County pay scale. 

The County's comprehensive benefit package includes medical and dental insurance, health savings account, employer paid life insurance, short and long-term disability insurance, pre-tax flexible spending accounts, retirement plan, tax-deferred compensation, vacation and sick leave and 13 paid holidays per year. County employees are eligible for the Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. 

This is a LELS union local 78 position. 
  
Application Process 
Applications must be submitted online no later than 4:30 p.m. on July 2, 2026. A resume will not be accepted in place of a fully completed employment application.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will receive an online assessment on July 3, 2026. The assessment must be completed within seven days of receipt. 

Applicants receiving the highest assessment scores will be invited to participate in an interview. The interview date will be determined following the assessment process.

Top-ranked candidates will be required to complete a two- to four-hour observation period within the Goodhue County Public Safety Answering Point before receiving a conditional job offer.

Final appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a job-specific physical examination, drug screening, and extensive background investigation. All required pre-employment testing will be conducted at the County’s expense.

At Goodhue County we embrace diversity and equality in a serious way. We are committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills and views. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. Creating a culture of Equality isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also the smart thing.