What-Comm Public Safety Telecommunicator (Dispatcher

What-Comm Public Safety Telecommunicator Positions

Are you a confident, enthusiastic, motivated individual who wants to make a difference in your community? Do you want to perform meaningful work in a positive and supportive team environment? If you've worked with the public or have call center experience, this is a great opportunity for you to expand your career. Apply now for one of our What-Comm 911 Telecommunicator positions.

Qualified candidates are safety oriented, skilled at decision making, problem solving, and conflict resolution. What-Comm 911 Telecommunicators will be required to have the ability to work independently to support and assist both the department and the public.

Applicants interested in this position must complete testing through Public Safety Testing. Please visit the Upcoming Tests & Events on Public Safety Testing website for information regarding the testing process. Applicants that pass the written exam and typing test with Public Safety Testing and scores are made available to our agency between 8/1/26 - 10/31/26, will receive an invitation to apply.

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM? Joining the City of Bellingham means becoming a part of a team that believes our greatest impact comes from working together with purpose, humility and a shared commitment to our community. Every employee contributes to delivering meaningful results for the people who live, work and visit here. We value people who approach challenges with curiosity, respect and collaboration.

If you are motivated by building a career in public service, we encourage you to apply.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

• $31.55/hr
  - What-Comm Telecommunicator-in-Training/What-Comm Telecommunicator I
• $33.13/hr - $39.55/hr
  - What-Comm Telecommunicator II (fully trained)

Upon promotion from What-Comm Telecommunicator I to What-Comm Telecommunicator II the salary starts at $33.13/hr employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the What-Comm (Police Dispatchers) Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy.

In addition to the hourly rate of pay, What-Comm Telecommunicators are eligible for the following compensation:

• 8 hours of Holiday Pay at the rate of 1.5 times the regular rate of pay for 12 designated holidays
• 2.5 times the regular rate of pay for overtime hours worked on designated holidays
• Shift Differential for hours worked between 2:00 pm and 6:00 am
• 1% certification premium for obtaining and maintaining Telecommunicator Certifications
• Up to 1.5% matching deferred compensation contribution
• Eligibility for 3% Master Dispatcher premium after seven years of service
• Protected bid leave time

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy the peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here's a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team.

• 7.34 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid designated holidays + 3 floating holidays per year
• 8 hours sick leave accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

Other unique benefits for working with What-Comm are:

• non-traditional work hours
• supportive and fun team members
• annual continuing education opportunities
• room for advancement, and more!

This recruitment process will create a Civil Service register that will be used to fill anticipated vacancies. This position is represented by a union.

Closing Date/Time:
Sat. 10/31/26 4:30 PM

What-Comm Public Safety Telecommunicator in Training

• One year of experience in a position with intensive public contact.
• Keyboard entry skills at a minimum of 40 wpm net.
• Experience or training in the use of computer software such as word processing, spreadsheets, database management, desktop publishing programs or other business/educational software preferred.
• Experience using multi-line phone systems preferred.
• Previous experience in public safety dispatching preferred.
• Must acquire within first year of training a working knowledge of the geography of Whatcom County to include: cities and towns, locations and names of highways, main streets, major buildings and businesses and establishments such as names of parks.
• An individual in the What-Comm Public Safety Telecommunicator in Training position will move to the What-Comm Public Safety Telecommunicator I position in a non-competitive promotion upon successful completion of the initial training period and demonstrated proficiency in performing the call receiving function…