Join The
Skagit 911 Team
We’re looking for people who care deeply about serving others and can stay focused when the pressure is on. No two days are the same, and that’s exactly what makes this work so rewarding.
Public Safety Telecommunicator Jobs
Where Every Shift Makes a Difference
Are you ready to answer the call when your community needs you most? We provide career training, excellent benefits, and a supportive team environment.
As a Public Safety Telecommunicator (aka 911 dispatcher), you are the critical link between someone’s emergency and the help they need. Your quick thinking will coordinate response during incidents and your calm presence will bring reassurance to people facing dificult moments.
Current Openings
Why I Love Being a Public Safety Telecommunicator
I’ve been working in this industry as a public safety telecommunicator and dispatcher for over 15 years, and I still love it—no two days are ever the same. This job is always challenging, never boring, and it demands your full attention, heart, and grit. Most of us here thrive in the fast pace and unpredictability of each shift, but what really keeps me here is the teamwork. In the middle of chaos, we all come together—supporting each other, solving problems, and making sure help gets where it’s needed. There’s a strong sense of pride in knowing we make a real difference every single day. So many of us at this agency have been able to grow in multiple ways over the years, and I appreciate that there’s always room to explore new tasks or roles—whether in leadership or by taking on projects to help improve the center and better help the community. To me, Skagit 911 is more than a job—it’s a calling, a career, and a family I’m proud to be part of.
– Stephanie
What is a Public Safety Telecommunicator Job?
Public Safety Telecommunicators are first responders — the vital link between people experiencing emergencies and the police, fire, and emergency medical services sent to help them. At Skagit 911, our Public Safety Telecommunicators are responsible for answering emergency and non-emergency calls and coordinating real-time responses across all law enforcement, fire, and EMS agencies in Skagit County.
This work demands sharp focus under pressure, the ability to multitask seamlessly, and genuine compassion for people in crisis. In return, you’ll go home each day knowing your skills made the difference between panic and hope, between confusion and coordinated response. We need people who can think fast, communicate clearly, and stay steady when it feels as if chaos is erupting around them. If you’re someone who rises to challenges rather than shrinking from them, who finds purpose in service to others, and who wants work that truly matters — this could be your calling.
Telecommunicators at Skagit 911 must also be technologically proficient, as our systems are advanced, constantly evolving, and essential to keeping the public and first responders safe.
Work Schedule
Our dispatchers work a consistent and predictable rotating schedule of 12-hour
shifts:
– 3 days on / 3 days off
– 4 days on / 4 days off, then repeat
Shifts typically begin at 6:00 AM or 6:00 PM, and employees are never expected or asked to work more than 12 hours in a day. While work-life balance is a priority,
there is mandatory overtime required on up to two days per week to ensure
24/7 coverage.
Skagit 911 Excellent Benefits
Competitive Wages
Excellent health, dental, and vision benefits
Paid time off, starting at 188 hours per year plus 8 hours of sick leave per month
Pension contributions through WA DRS
Supportive team environment with ongoing training
Opportunities for
advancement and
specialization
Union-represented for Public Safety Telecommunicator and Records positions with benefits and protections outlined in a collective bargaining agreement
Position Tracks
- Public Safety Telecommunicator Trainee: Participate in a structured training program under the guidance of a Training Supervisor.
- Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST): Specialize in either Law Enforcement or Fire Dispatch after successful training.
- Cross-Trained Telecommunicator: Fully qualified to dispatch for both Law and Fire disciplines.
- Lead Public Safety Telecommunicator: In addition to performing all duties of a Cross-Trained Telecommunicator, the Lead Public Safety Telecommunicator supports the efficient operation of the communications center by providing guidance to staff coordinating staffing, assisting with training, mentoring team.
- Public Safety Telecommunications Supervisor: Carries out the responsibilities of a Lead PST while also taking on supervisory duties such as performance oversight,
- In addition to advancement through position tracks, Public Safety Telecommunicators have the opportunity to volunteer for special projects, which provide additional training, exposure to new roles, and may include additional pay. These projects support professional development and contribute to the continued success and innovation of Skagit 911.
Skagit 911's Hiring Process: What to Expect
We’re committed to a transparent and thorough hiring process to ensure that Skagit 911 recruits the most qualified and prepared candidates to serve our community. From initial application to your first day on the job, the entire process typically takes 6 weeks to 3 months, depending on your background investigation and academy scheduling.
Here’s what you can expect once you submit your application:
1. Day One — Application Submitted
Applications are accepted at any time and are reviewed Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
2. Online Skills Testing
Qualified applicants will receive a link to take the CritiCall skills test through TestGenius/Biddle. This test measures multitasking, data entry, memory recall, decision-making, and other job-related skills.
3. One-Way Video Interview
Applicants who pass CritiCall will receive an invitation to complete an online, one-way video interview with five simple screening questions. Deadline to complete this interview is every Friday at 6:00 AM (Pacific Time).
4. In-person Interview
Candidates who pass the screening interview will be invited to an in-person interview at Skagit 911 in Mount Vernon, WA.
5. Conditional Offer Phases
Candidates who succeed in the in-person interview will receive
conditional job offers. The conditional phases takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks and includes:
Phase One:
- A rigorous law enforcement background investigation
- A polygraph screening
- Drug testing
- Fingerprint screening
- A job observation (two hour sit along with a PST)
- A final interview with the Executive Director
Phase Two:
- A hearing screening (with or without accommodation)
6. Academy Assignment
Once all steps in the conditional offer phase are passed, candidates will be assigned an academy start date, typically 2 weeks to 2 months after clearance.
Who We’re Looking For
- Team player with integrity: You show respect to others, protect confidentiality, and adhere to policies and procedures.
- Calm under pressure: You think clearly and act quickly in high-stress situations.
- Technologically adaptable: You demonstrate the ability to expertly use computerized systems, learn new platforms quickly, and thrive in an environment of ongoing technical change.
- Detail-oriented multitasker: You manage multiple conversations, prioritize tasks, and maintain focus with accuracy.
- Excellent communicator: You listen attentively, speak clearly, and adapt your communication style for diverse callers.
- Adaptable and committed: You are flexible with scheduling and available for overtime, nights, weekends, and holidays.
Minimum Qualifications
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- No felony convictions.
- No active criminal charges or warrants.
- High school diploma or GED.
- Ability to read, write, and speak English fluently.
- Must pass a law enforcement background investigation, polygraph
screening, hearing test (with or without accommodation), drug test
and other hiring criteria.
Public Safety Telecommunicator (Lateral Entry)
If you currently work or have worked at a 911 center/PSAP/ECC in the United States within the last two years, you may be classified as a Lateral Entry Public Safety Telecommunicator. Skagit 911 is always open to speaking with current or previous Public Safety Telecommunicators. If you would like to know more or wish to apply for a position at Skagit 911, please contact us!
Training for Public Safety
Telecommunicator Jobs
Training for a Public Safety Telecommunicator job takes commitment. Our paid training program is intensive, structured, and typically spans 6 to 8 months, beginning with:
- Technology Systems & Tools: Trainees learn to operate our highly specialized software and equipment.
- Skagit County Geography: A deep understanding of local roads, landmarks, and jurisdictions is essential.
- Policies and Procedures: Trainees study laws, protocols, and internal standards that guide every decision.
- Call Taking: Over the course of 3–4 months, trainees learn to manage both emergency and non-emergency calls and to provide calm, clear direction in high-stress situations.
- Dispatching & Monitoring: The final stage focuses on managing radio. Dispatching responders and tracking units in the field.
Each phase must be passed before moving to the next. During training, employees typically work four 10-hour shifts per week, with no overtime, and receive full pay and benefits.
Questions about working with Skagit 911?
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