Associate Public Safety Dispatcher, Non-Certified (DPS #18387)

Posting Details

New Mexico State Police (NMSP) serves our state as the premier law enforcement agency.  Our mission begins with establishing partnerships and relationships within our communities that mitigate and prevent crime. The NMSP Communications Bureau provides 911 dispatching services to NMSP and various partnering agencies throughout the state. It provides emergency and non-emergency service response to the citizens and visitors of New Mexico.  We have three Communications Centers across the state where dispatchers receive, evaluate, and transmit information via telephone and multi-channel radio that frequently involves emergency and critical situations affecting human welfare and safety. 

This position is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The starting hourly wage for a non-certified dispatcher (Associate Public Safety Dispatcher) is $22.94. The hourly wage for certified dispatchers with 2-9 years' experience is $25.67, 10-17 years' experience is $26.40, 18-24 years' experience is $27.13 and 25 years or more is $27.89 an hour. Certified dispatchers may receive extra compensation for having a degree or certain certifications.

If you are currently Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) Certified, please apply for the Public Safety Dispatcher - Certified (DPS #18387), position currently posted (JOB ID: 163545).

Why does the job exist?

Looking for a rewarding career serving your community?  The emergency dispatcher position is a critical communication point that receives incoming calls from both the public and public safety agencies. This position dispatches police, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS) field units to respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for service over a two-way radio system utilizing a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system. It supports various first responder agencies such as Law Enforcement and Fire & Medical Response Departments in communicating accurate and timely information.  Being an emergency dispatcher carries a weight of responsibility and dedication that extends beyond the required skills. The work dispatchers do is incredibly challenging and indispensable as the first point of contact when responding to people in need of assistance.

How does it get done?

This demanding position receives emergency and non-emergency calls, understands the caller's needs and prioritizes calls according to urgency and importance.  Emergency dispatchers report and relay incidents such as accidents, fires, and other emergency situations to law enforcement agencies, safety personnel, and other appropriate parties.  They operate a complex multi-channel communications system and provide support services.

Essential functions include, without limitation:

- Receives emergency and non-emergency calls; efficiently gathers, evaluates, prioritizes and documents information from callers
- Dispatches police, fire and EMS field units to specific locations using a CAD system, multiple video display terminals, two-way radio dispatch console and related equipment
- Evaluates incoming reports of police, fire and medical emergencies; immediately transmits complete and accurate information to appropriate field personnel
- Monitors, coordinates and accurately maintains the status of incidents and records of dispatched emergency service personnel and apparatus
- Receives and disseminates information from other law enforcement and emergency service computer networks related to jurisdictional requests for police, fire or medical service assistance or to notices of wanted persons, stolen property, warrants and all-points bulletins; maintains confidentiality of information
- Maintains familiarity with area geography including major streets and buildings; recognizes circumstances that may pose hazards to public safety field units and the public
- Maintains up-to-date understanding of public safety policies and procedures for the police, fire, EMS and other emergency service providers
- Responds to routine and non-routine inquiries regarding police, fire or emergency medical services; properly classifies and prioritizes any report or complaint and determines appropriate course of action; provides appropriate referrals as necessary
- Works varying shift lengths, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays and overtime
- Supplies information to the public as needed
- Performs a variety of related clerical work in the Communications Center

Who are the customers?

This essential work assists New Mexico State Police, other first responders and partnering agencies as well as aids the citizens and visitors of New Mexico.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is empathetic, able to remain calm and composed in emergency situations and whose strengths include:

- Excellent communication skills (listening, verbal and written), ability to memorize, retain and accurately recall information received and dispatch emergency service calls expeditiously and correctly
- Thinking clearly and quickly in emergency situations, quick decision-making skills while prioritizing emergent and non-emergent situations
- Delivering consistent quality customer service that includes interacting with the public, answering phones and working professionally with law enforcement and first responders
- Establishing and maintaining cooperative relationships with coworkers and those contacted during the course of work
- Ability to type rapidly and accurately (must test at 35 net words per minute or higher)
- Ability to multi-task and work with frequent interruptions
- Reading computer screens and monitoring visual changes
- Compiling information and maintaining reports in CAD
- Following oral and written direction
- Locating major streets, public places and landmarks
- Ability to read, write, speak and understand English fluently

Minimum Qualification

High School diploma or equivalent.

Employment Requirements

Employment is subject to a pre-employment background investigation and fingerprinting in accordance with all terms and conditions of federal and state law, rules and regulations; and is conditional pending results.  Continued employment is contingent upon remaining felony free, per Section 5.12.1.1 of the Criminal Justice Information Systems Security Policy.

In addition, the selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and a current Defensive Driving Certificate from the State of New Mexico; or pass and receive the Defensive Driving Certificate within six (6) months of date of hire.

Applicants must be able to type 35 net words per minute or higher. The hired candidate must show Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) certification through the NM Law Enforcement Academy (LEA) or accredited satellite academy within one year of their hire date.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a 24/7 law enforcement setting with exposure to visual/video display terminal (VDT) and extensive computer and telephone usage with extended periods of sitting. NMSP emergency dispatchers work varying shift lengths and must be able to work a flexible schedule that includes days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays and overtime.  Minimal travel may be required.

Supplemental Information

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Agency Contact Information: Stefanie Ortega, 505-548-0955 Email

For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

Salary : $37,752 - $56,628