Emergency
Communications
Portland Regional Communications Center
Portland , Maine | USA
Support Your Team
See what it’s like to work alongside the Portland Police Department as a dispatcher at the Portland Regional Communications Center (PRCC).
Hiring Bonus
Join a great team helping people in the great state of Maine. Apply Now!
Benefits & Questions
Here is some information about working for the Portland Regional Communications Center (PRCC).
Your community needs you! Come and join a team with purpose that makes a difference every day and night.
We are now accepting applications for Emergency Telecommunications Operator (911 Dispatcher). Answer the call and become the ears and voice of public safety. This is an important, fast-paced, and exciting position in Portland’s Regional Communications Center (PRCC). PRCC provides 24-hour emergency/non-emergency dispatch services for Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services for the municipalities of Portland, South Portland, and Cape Elizabeth.
The normal duties of this position include but are not limited to: Working 8,10 or 12-hour shifts, covering 24-hours a day 7 days a week, including holidays and weekends; communicating with police and fire units by radio; answering both emergency (911) and non-emergency telephones; provide Emergency Medical & Fire instructions over the phone for emergency situations; input data into computer regarding stolen property, vehicles, and guns; enter missing and wanted persons in state, local and national computer systems; other related duties as required.
This is a fast-paced team environment that requires the following qualifications: Graduation from high school or equivalent; ability to work with advanced computer-aided dispatching technology; capacity to act quickly, calmly and correctly in emergency situations; must be able to use tact and diplomacy in stressful situations; availability to work all shifts, including nights, weekends and holidays; strong listening, memory, and multitasking skills; accurate typing skills; solid customer service skills. Job suitability assessment, Police background check, and polygraph required. Must be able to obtain Maine Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification (EMD), Emergency Fire Dispatch Certification (EFD), and Maine Certified Terminal Operator Certification within 6 months of employment.
Highly competitive and comprehensive new compensation & benefit plan.
*Starting rate during 4 weeks academic training $22.17/hour, increasing by a minimum of $2/hour when training on shift. Upon passing probation at 6 months, rises to $23.81 plus a minimum of $2/hour shift differential. Additional increases for each qualification gained (Police Dispatch, Fire Dispatch).*
Lateral Hire Opportunities –Â Certified Emergency Telecommunicators can be credited for previous experience and placed at the corresponding pay scale step.
We are currently offering a $10,000 sign-on bonus with a 5-year commitment.
Well qualified candidates may be eligible for relocation reimbursement upon hire.
Offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check.
The City of Portland is strongly committed to diversity in its workforce.
Women and Minorities are encouraged to apply.
We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Permanent employees receive a generous benefits package that includes paid holidays; employee health insurance; sick and vacation leave; optional life, dental, vision and income protection insurances; choice of retirement plans; and tuition reduction program with the University of Southern Maine and Thomas College. Â
• $10,000 Hiring Bonus
• Overtime opportunities
• Paid vacation, holiday (13) and sick days
• Clothing allowance/tuition reimbursement
• Free health insurance for employee
• Option of MainePERS 3 C (25 year, 2/3rds), Retirement Plan or city contributed 401a planÂ
• 401A with 7.5% City contribution
• Military buy back through MainePERS
For further details on our generous benefits package, please view our Benefits Guide (PDF).
Application
Submit an online application, accompanied by a resume and cover letter
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Online Written Entrance Exam
We use an online entrance exam administered here at the Portland Police Department. The exam involves a series of tests designed to ensure that an applicant has the necessary aptitude to succeed as a Telecommunicator. Assessed elements include multi-tasking, prioritization, listening, reading, memory recall, map reading, summarization and typing. It is timed and candidates usually finish within two hours.
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Oral Board Interview
Candidates who pass the written entrance exam are invited to participate in an oral board interview. Â
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Background
All candidates remaining in the process are given a background book to complete. The completed book is assigned to an investigator who will work to verify its contents. The purpose of the investigation is to uncover any disqualifying events in a candidate’s history. Honesty is at a premium here and false information, misinformation, or failure to disclose information will lead to removal from the hiring process. In order to expedite the process, you may download a background book and complete it prior to your interview. Â
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Conditional Job Offer
Candidates who satisfactorily complete the interview and background investigation may receive a conditional job offer. Upon acceptance of that offer, the next stages of the process take place.Â
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Job Suitability Assessment
The job suitability assessment stage is conducted by a clinical psychologist who is a consultant of the department. The suitability assessment process involves completing standardized psychological tests that assess personality and psychological functioning, timed tests of cognitive abilities, and an oral interview with the psychologist. Following the completion of the examination, the psychologist will provide the Portland Police Department with a written report of relevant findings and conclusions relating to her opinion of the candidate’s suitability for the position.
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Additional Information
The hiring process can take 3-4 months to complete. It is recommended that all candidates participate in a job shadow at some point during the hiring process.
Applications/resumes submitted are forwarded to the department with the position for review and consideration. Only those applications/resumes that meet the minimum qualifications for the position can be considered. Therefore, it is very important applicants apply only for those positions which they are qualified for based on knowledge, skills and abilities. Applicants will be contacted by the hiring department if they are selected for further consideration, or not selected to fill the position.
The City of Portland is strongly committed to diversity in its work force. We are an affirmative action/equal employment opportunity employer.
For any questions, use the form at the bottom of the page. You can also contact Human Resources via email or call 207-874-8596.
