Public Safety Dispatcher

Public Safety Dispatcher

The City of Ames is looking to fill at least one position as Public Safety Dispatcher, within the Police Department. A Public Safety Dispatcher with the Ames Police Department performs work involved in the operation of a complex communications system; receives and handles both emergency and non-emergency communications from a wide range of sources; dispatches appropriate services, personnel, and/or equipment in response to police, fire, or medical emergencies;

and performs other related work as required. The work for this position is within a 24/7/365 environment and is subject to shift assignment and creates occasional mandatory overtime.

Salary:
The starting annual salary for this position is $57,147 ($27.4745 per hour) as of July 1, 2026. Specified months of City of Ames Dispatcher service are applied in step increases to salary, per the PPME bargaining agreement. The current steps are outlined below:

July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027

0-18 Months $57,147

19-36 Months $59,903

37 and up $69,239

Hiring Wage Incentive:
Anyone who begins employment from this recruitment shall receive a hiring wage incentive to equal $1000. This incentive shall be paid in the following increments:

1) 50% upon hire

2) 25% after 6 months of employment

3) 25% after probationary period ends or 12 months of employment (whichever is later)

In order to be considered for this position, all applicants must submit their online application by the deadline listed on this posting. Your application includes complete responses to the supplemental questions. Please keep in mind that submission of a resume in lieu of work history on your application or answering the supplemental questions is not sufficient. Applications submitted for this position by the Final date to receive applications may be considered for other openings in this classification for up to 10 months.

Benefits:
Our comprehensive benefits package can be viewed at City of Ames Benefits.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program:
The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information, please visit PSLF Program.

Please see the Residency Requirement MAP outlining in turquoise the living area boundaries required for Police Boundary or Public, Professional and Maintenance Employees Local 2003 (PPME) bargaining unit agreement for this merit position.

Job Functions:

• Conducts in depth research by utilizing multiple various resources.
• Answers emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
• Receives and relays messages to appropriate personnel.
• Directs requests for assistance for police, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS) to the appropriate agency.
• Prioritizes calls for service and dispatches appropriate resources in accordance with established operating procedures.
• Provides emergency medical instruction.
• Operates radio console by receiving and transmitting radio communications.
• Maintains contact with units at all times during shift assignment.
• Maintains a continuous record of the status of mobile units, manual/automated logs, and records, including a log of all information received and transmitted.
• Sends/receives computer terminal messages and routes messages to appropriate destinations.
• Monitors cameras, alarms, and City Hall doors in case of required emergency lockdown.
• Works with other Police divisions, such as Animal Control and Records, and all other City of Ames departments.
• Operates other equipment essential to the position.

Other

Job Functions:

• Regularly exposed to sensitive and confidential information that cannot be discussed or shared outside the workplace.
• Act as essential emergency personnel and are required to come to work in disaster and bad weather situations.

Education and Experience:

Successful completion of high school, HiSet, or G.E.D. is required. Applicants with related college coursework and/or two years relevant work experience, including working in a team environment while maintaining effective working…