Hybrid Public Safety Dispatcher bei Town of Nantucket, MA

About the Department

The Town of Nantucket is seeking qualified candidates for both full-time and per diem Public Safety Dispatcher positions. Dispatchers play a critical role in protecting our community by receiving emergency and non-emergency calls, coordinating the response of police, fire, and EMS personnel, and providing essential support to first responders and residents.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; college experience preferred.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and make quick, sound decisions.
• Familiarity with computers, office equipment, and dispatch systems helpful.
• Must be able to work days, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays as scheduled.
• Successful candidates must obtain certification in E911, APCO Telecommunicator, Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), and CPR/First Responder within one year of hire.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to serve the community in a vital public safety role. Dispatchers are the lifeline between the public and emergency responders, helping to save lives and protect property every day.

Schedule & Compensation

• Full-Time:
  1. 40 hours per week (shift work, including nights, weekends, and holidays).
  2. Hourly rate $43.32 (new hires) - $54.88 (employees hired prior to July 1, 2012 with 20 years of service with the Town of Nantucket)
  3. Retirement pension through Barnstable County Retirement.
  4. 90% employer-sponsored health insurance plan options.
  5. Diverse selection of supplemental insurance policies.

Application Deadline: September 7^th, 2025, at 4:00 pm

To apply for a per diem position, click here – Per Diem Public Safety Dispatcher | Job Details tab | Career Pages

 For questions, contact HR at [email protected].

The Public Safety Dispatcher is responsible for the primary deployment of law enforcement, fire and emergency personnel and equipment. The Dispatcher will receive a signal, message, phone call, radio transmission, or other communication from a person or device indicating the existence of an emergency or a situation threatening the safety, life and property of persons. Receive and process police, fire, and EMS related 911 calls. Receive and process non-emergency signals and calls. Dispatch police, fire and EMS and other emergency units and personnel as needed. Monitor and operate emergency signaling, radio, computer, telephone, alarm and other specialized equipment in support of public safety communications and dispatch functions. Perform other dispatch, signal monitoring, communications support, records processing, training, and special duties as assigned.

The Dispatcher is appointed by the Chief of Police and works under the administrative direction of the Communications Supervisor. Dispatchers are required to use considerable independent judgment and discretion in the performance of their duties. General supervision will be provided by the on-duty Police Department Shift Supervisor. All duties will be performed in accordance with applicable Massachusetts General Laws, Town policies, Town By-laws, and relevant State, federal and local regulations.

Dispatchers exercise no supervisory responsibilities.

Position Duties

• Maintain central control and coordination of two-way radio and paging communications for an FCC licensed base station consisting of multiple mobile and portable radio and pager units
• Utilize and operate the National Law Enforcement Agency Telecommunications Computer Processing System (NLETS). Through the local terminal data accessed, inquiries are made, information is placed on file with the network, and communications are received for dissemination.
• Serves as the primary/back-up receptionist for the Department, courteously greets guests, customers, victims, members of the media and others at the front window and directs them to the appropriate member of the Department or Town for assistance.
• Act as an informational resource person to the Police Department for the transferring of general broadcasts received via monitor or telecommunications on missing persons, stolen motor vehicles, and miscellaneous criminal activity, etc.
• Maintain communications between and among police, fire and EMS services.
• Monitor and receive medical aide, fire and trouble alarms for individuals, Municipal Buildings, Elderly Housing, Businesses, Schools and other persons and entities, and dispatch correct municipal departments. Also, monitor a teletype service for the deaf being operated at this location.
• Act as a liaison between the local and neighboring municipalities and the Public Utility Companies for the reporting of emergency situations, needed repairs, and loss of services.
• Operate the Fire and Police Departments' emergency alerting systems.
• Monitor and maintain telephone communications for all incoming lines and in-house intercom systems. Receive both emergency and routine calls, determine the appropriate action to be taken and/or referral to be made, and give information requiring a familiarity with all aspects of the community.
• Maintain periodic checks of police personnel in order to ensure their safety.
• Receive authorized requests for towing of motor vehicles, determine "on call" wrecker service, and dispatch tow truck(s) to appropriate location.
• Prepare and maintain up-to-date telephone listings, including confidential listings, for hospitals, veterinarians, medical personnel, court personnel, public transportation and utilities, local businesses, municipal officials and other persons and entities.
• Record and log all radio transmissions and telephone calls. Such records must include the date, time and the nature of the call or radio communications as this data is often used in legal proceedings.
• Maintain database listing of known caretakers and the properties they manage.
• Perform and record required tests of emergency telephone lines, radio base stations, paging systems, and other communications systems.
• Radio page and provide message forwarding for various municipal officials and public safety personnel.
• Ensure that all emergency center operational procedures, policies and general regulations are followed and that all transmissions conform to FCC regulations.
• Ensure the timely and accurate preparation and maintenance of a variety of logs.
• Ensure the timely testing of all equipment and communication services and obtain repairs as necessary.
• Be familiar with new operational procedures and protocols as new equipment is introduced to the department and provide and participate in on-going dispatcher training and development.
• Responsible and accountable for all municipal alarm monitoring systems.
• Notifies the Shift Supervisor of unusual events, most notably when contact with an officer on patrol cannot be made after a reasonable amount of time.
• Serve as Law Enforcement Agency Police System (LEAPS) representative.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Regularly perform any and all duties of a dispatcher.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent required.
• College experience desired.
• Familiarity with police communications and police work preferred.
• One or more years of clerical or administrative experience in municipal government useful.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Working knowledge of general office practices, procedures and administration necessary
• Knowledge of State and local laws and regulations very helpful.
• Must have ability to work and deal pleasantly with co-workers and the public, both in person and by telephone in a courteous and tactful manner.
• Ability to understand and follow instructions and to work independently when required.
• Must have ability to accurately record and maintain records and ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Must be able to perform CPR, if needed.
• Must be able to type and operate various types of office equipment, including but not limited to telephone, computer, facsimile machine, and copy machines.

Employment Training Requirements

All persons hired for this position must become certified and remain proficient in the following areas within one (1) year of the date of hire and continue certification thereafter:

• Commonwealth of Massachusetts, State-wide Emergency Telecommunications Board, Enhanced 911 operator certification.
• Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Basic Tele­communicator certification.
• Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMO) certification.
• American Heart Association (C.P.R.) and First Responder certification.