911 Dispatcher Job Questions?

Question

I'm up for a job as a 911 Telecommunicator and was wondering if anyone else on here has ever A. Applied for that type of job or B. Been hired for that position. I would really like to know what the interview process is like, what kind of questions they will ask, how long it takes to be hired etc. I REALLY want to get this job so as much advise as you all could give me would be very much appreciated!!!!!! I've been trying to do research on the web but, there's not too much out there and I really want to kick butt on my interview! Thanks in advance for your help!

Answer 1

I was up for the job, but they wanted me to work wacky hours.... I took 3 tests, and a panel interview that was nerve racking for nothing!! Any who...they ask questions that require common sense and common knowledge. They ask you about your experience, scenario situations, you basically tell them what they want to hear. being that they are open 24/7 it is a true commitment, I am in college so it would not work. I think training is 6 months. The money is decent, but it may vary from state to state..

Answer 2

I interviewed for a job as a 911 dispatcher, and worked at a parole office monitoring parolees (mostly sex offenders) on house arrest. When I applied for the job as a 911 dispatcher, first I sat down for about an hour or two with a dispatcher. After that they gave me some tests, including psychological / lie detection (it's important that you be 100% open & honest on this test), typing speed & accuracy, background check, credit check. There is a panel or two-person interview that consists of your run-of-the-mill job interview questions, like "what are your strengths & weaknesses," "why do you want to work here," they run down a few scenerios... stuff like that.
It's good to be able to multi-task and to demonstrate that you are able to multi-task. That's where I blew it during my interview, and I knew as soon as I said it was a weakness of mine that I lost the interview.
Right after the interview, I had a 1-on-1 interview with the director of the call center -- more of a "getting to know you" sort of a thing. I felt little pressure during the whole process & felt very relaxed.