Job Description
Salary: $25.82 - $27.29 Hourly
Location : Spencer Police Station
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2400048
Department: Communications
Division: Police
Opening Date: 12/15/2025
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: 911 Dispatcher
Position Title The City of Spencer has an opening for
a full-time 911 Dispatcher to act as a communication point for emergency and non-emergency calls. The ideal candidate must be able to operate efficiently in a high-stress environment while prioritizing multiple duties at once, be an excellent communicator and able to remain calm and composed, especially in emergency situations.
This position is an emergency-responder role. $25.82 - $27.29/hour + .50/hr differential for hours worked between 4pm-8am Swing Shift: Tuesday - Saturday, 8:00pm - 4:00am* *Typical days off are Sunday/Monday, however, the swing shift fills in as needed, and when that happens, they will have a different day off. The start/end of the shift time can swing, with advance notice, to either 4 hours earlier or to 4 hours later.
**All shifts must have flexibility to train on other shifts for the first 16 weeks, then flexibility to cover other shifts as needed.* *No residency requirement, however the successful candidate must live within reasonable driving distance of Spencer, as this position is a 1st responder role and it is imperative that attendance be strong.
Purpose: - Act as a radio dispatcher for the Spencer Police Dept., Clay County Sheriff's Dept., County Conservation, and Emergency Services in Clay County.
- Operate communication equipment in the Law Enforcement Communications Center.
- Interact daily with citizens, law enforcement officers and emergency services for the purpose of passing on information to the right people in a correct and expedient manner.
This is a collective bargaining position, and an important emergency services role that requires an individual dedicated to the protection of life and property.
Essential Duties The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. - Answer multi-line 911 & administrative telephone calls politely & courteously
- Handle Police Department walk-in traffic
- Use radio communication to dispatch information to emergency service personnel
- Check operation of equipment and maintain, report malfunctions and all other matters of importance to Dispatch Supervisor
- Operate police radio, strictly observing regulations for such operations
- Responsible for relaying exact information from parties to Officers/Emergency services in the field
- Send teletype and radio messages for departments, monitor teletype for incoming information
- Notify support services when needed
- Send for driver's license checks, records, NCIC/wanted checks on subjects and vehicles
- Conduct weekly Spencer warning system and fire dept. pager tests
- Page weather bulletins to law enforcement, fire and Spencer Warning System
- Activate tornado sirens when necessary for communities within Clay County that
have warning systems
- Contact on-call Street Dept. personnel during off hours as required
- Enter wanted/missing persons into NCIC
- Enter stolen property into Iowa/NCIC and validate these records on a monthly basis
- File and maintain Protection orders as received from Clerk of Courts
- Maintain Criminal History Log
Summary of Qualification Requirements The Police 911 Dispatcher must be courteous, calm and alert with the ability to take orders and execute them properly. This individual must realize that time is an important element when exact information is properly passed on to the proper authorities. Required skills include:
- Strong multi-tasking skills
- High School graduate or an equivalent
- Graduate of or available to attend State required 40-hour telecommunicator school
- Must have or be able to attain IOWA/NCIC certification
- Good communication skills with a clear speaking voice
- Knowledge of or ability to train in the use of the police radio, teletype & computer
- Proficient typing skills & basic knowledge of 10-code, military time & phonetic alphabet
- Ability to follow orders and comprehend written materials
- Ability to get along with the general public
- Knowledge of the geography of the City, County and State
- Possess calm, relaxed demeanor and non-combative attitude
- Use CAD and Status log properly
- Knowledge of personnel on shift
- Worked with, or held some type of position dealing with the general public
- Reliable transportation to get to and from work with a good work attendance record
- Mentally and physically able to handle stress of position
Additional Information Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone. Other physical activities include walking, reaching, grasping, pushing, pulling repetitive motions, stooping, kneeling, crouching and finger dexterity.
Work is primarily sedentary and requires sitting and/or using various computer equipment 75% of the time; and standing and/or walking 25% of the time. Frequently requires the exertion of up to 10 pounds of force, and infrequently requires the exertion of 10-50 pounds of force to lift or otherwise move objects.
Sufficient vision, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to prepare, review and file a variety of written documents in both electronic and hard copy forms. The minimum standard needed for those whose work deals largely with preparing and analyzing data and written information, accounting, transcription, computer terminal and/or extensive reading.
EOE. Unless specified, positions are open until filled.
Due to the volume of applications, if you have questions please email hr@spenceriowacity.com
City of Spencer Benefit Guide June 2025 - June 2026 01
Do you have experience answering a multi-line phone system and relaying detailed, accurate information?
02
Are you available/able to attend the required 40-hour telecommunicator school in Des Moines over a 5-day period within your first 6 months of employment? All expenses are covered.
03
Are you computer literate, and able to type at least 40 wpm accurately on a keyboard?
Required Question
Job Tags
Hourly pay, Full time, All shifts, Shift work, Afternoon shift,