Metro Emergency Communications Operator

Metro Emergency Communications Operator

Salary

$28.53 - $39.38 Hourly

Location

City of Sioux Falls, SD

Job Type

Emergency Services Hourly

Job Number

202600173

Department

Fire Rescue

Division

Metro Communications

Opening Date

10/28/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Summary

Are you looking for a career where every second counts and every call matters?

Day 1 Wage (2027): $28.53 hourly

Sign-On Bonus: $3000.00

Shift Differential: $.75 per hour, between 2:00pm-5:59am; seven days a week.

Why Metro Communications?

• Robust Health and Wellness Benefits -You will have access to our live-in dog, Nena, that provides support to our team, a workout facility, wellness lab, and ample outdoor space for breaks. The Metro Communications team, and the City of Sioux Falls, offer employee well-being support, including EAP, chaplains, and peer support.
• Career Development Opportunities - In Public Safety, you can expect a stable job with career advancement opportunities, as well as the ability to join in-house staff committees.
• Emergency Communications Operators will have the opportunity to pursue Shift Lead roles, and Supervisory openings as they advance with the agency!! In addition to plenty of committee involvement, and continuous education, enabling you to stay engaged, and motivated, in your career pursuits.
• Paid Training Experience - We will serve you with a six-month comprehensive training program, and no experience is necessary.
• Leadership Team!! - Between four Metro Supervisors (LeNora, Tim, Jason, and Robyn), and our fearless leader (Aimee), Metro Communications will offer you stability and consistency in your leadership team, and nearly one hundred years of experience in the profession that is committed to seeing you succeed in your career move!!

Are you interested in an interactive opportunity that will enable you to first-hand try out response as an Operator?

• If yes, CLICK HERE to explore the career further before, or after, you apply with our free AI-powered 911 Call Simulator!!

Please advise, this hiring process is comprised of multiple testing phases. Including a keyboarding exam, Listening & Written (L&W) exam, Interview, Background Investigation, and Psych/Medical Exam.

Our next recruit class will begin on February 16th, 2027!!

This will be your first paid day of employment.

We schedule 1-3 Listening & Written Exam test dates/times per week.

At this time, well be planning on getting exams back up and rolling, beginning November 6th and beyond. Generally, we schedule interviews bi-weekly but will adjust based on candidate volume and need.

Job Responsibilities

1. Answer emergency and non-emergency calls, determine and prioritize the level and type of response necessary, coordinate and relay information on all public safety requests.

2. Dispatch responders: monitor and maintain status and location of responder units.

3. Process NCIC data, conduct queries, perform data entry duties at the request of law enforcement personnel.

4. Prepare and maintain accurate records and logs of all radio transmissions, telephone calls, resource files, and information systems.

5. Operate electronic telephone, radio, and computer equipment in the processing and updating of information utilizing various database systems.

6. Serve as a relevant member of the team: participate actively in meetings; provide pertinent program feedback; make recommendations for improvement when identified; collaborate and/or innovate to identify and recommend new opportunities, policies and/or procedures; identify and address barriers to ensure success; mentor and support peers to be successful.

7. Perform tactical dispatch and/or training responsibilities as assigned.

8. Perform other such duties and functions as are necessary or incidental to the proper performance of this position.

Minimum Qualifications

Must be eligible for certification under the South Dakota Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training Commission.

Must be a United States citizen.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age at time of interview.

Graduation from high school or GED certification, or any such combination of education, experience, and training as may be acceptable to the hiring authority.

Has not unlawfully used any prescribed drug, controlled substance, or marijuana within one year before the time of application for certification.

Must have no convictions of any crime by any state or federal government punishable by imprisonment in a federal or state penitentiary.

Supplemental Information

• Ability to rapidly acquire working knowledge of approved principles, practices, and procedures of communication dispatch work.

• Ability to learn, apply and maintain Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD)/ Medical Priority Dispatch (MPDS) protocols.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to a variety of audiences.

• Ability to pass and maintain keyboarding skills per testing guidelines.

• Ability to speak clearly and concisely over the radio and telephone.

• Ability to prioritize and multi-task in a fast-paced work environment.

• Ability to make sound decisions using all available information.

• Ability to accomplish tasks while working under stress during time sensitive situations.

• Ability to efficiently read maps and interpret jurisdictional response areas.

• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers and customers.

• Ability to maintain the quality of work and the confidentiality and integrity of the Metro Communications team.

The City of Sioux Falls takes pride in being an Employer of Choice including our Culture, Values, and Compensation and Benefits. Apply today to become part of ONE Team and help us take care of today for a better tomorrow!

• Competitive salary with other public and industry positions, including step advancements.
• The City participates in the South Dakota Retirement System. Employees receive a 6% match. Additionally, employees may choose to enroll in a Deferred Compensation Plan.
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Competitive rates for single, 2-party, and family.
• 11 paid holidays and 2 personal leave days each calendar year.
• New employees are granted 40 hours of vacation at time of hire and accrue an additional 2 weeks in their first year.
• Sick leave accrues over 96 hours per year.
• The City of Sioux Falls is an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

01

• PLEASE REVIEW* As a Metro Emergency Communications Operator, you must be ready, willing, and able, to work any shift: days, evenings, or overnights. This may include weekends and holidays - as a team we serve our community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. During the shift bid process, candidates will bid annually into one of three shifts. 6a-2p, 2p-10p, or 10p-6a, and that will be your shift for the calendar year. Due to mandatory staffing requirements, there is potential that you may be called in up to 4-hours early, or may be asked to stay 4-hours late. No shift will have a duration greater than 12-hours. Days off will be bid annually, for 6-month chunks of the year. For example, you may have Tu/W off (January - June), and Fr/Sat off (July - December). We cannot guarantee a single/particular shift to any applicant. All shifts are bid by seniority. You must be willing and able to work any of the shifts noted above, and must be able to accept any rotation of 5 working days during the week. Please note, this will be discussed in more detail during the interview phase, and we will gladly answer any questions. At this time, are you willing and able to accept any shift with any 5 consecutive working days within a week, including the potential of working nights, weekends, and holidays?
• Yes
• No

02

MINIMUM STANDARDS - Below are the minimum standards for employment. The minimum standards can also be found on the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation webpage. 2:05:01:01. Minimum standards for employment. A person may be employed or certified as a 911 Telecommunicator only if the person meets the below requirements. (1) Is a citizen of the United States; (2) Is at least eighteen years of age at the time of appointment; (3) Has fingerprints taken by a qualified law enforcement officer; (4) Is of good moral character; (5) Is a graduate of an accredited high school or has a high school equivalency certificate acceptable to the Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training Commission; (6) Is examined and certified, on forms prescribed by the commission, by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner to be able to perform the duties of a 911 telecommunicator; (7) Has been interviewed and hired by an agency that determines the persons general suitability for a 911 telecommunication service, based on personality, temperament, ability to communicate, and other characteristics reasonably necessary to perform the duties of a 911 telecommunicator; (8) Has undergone a background investigation by the hiring agency that includes an inquiry into the persons driving history, criminal history, previous employment, personal references, credit reports, social media accounts, and law enforcement training records; (9) Has not unlawfully used any prescribed drug, controlled substance, or marijuana within one year before the time of application for certification; and (10) Has not: (a) Had certification revoked; (b) Consented to decertification; (c) Had an application for certification refused; (d) Committed an act in violation of § 2:05:03:01; (e) Been dismissed from a basic telecommunication training program as a result of an act in violation of any basic academy handbook; or (f) Been dismissed from a basic telecommunication training program due to an academic failure or skill failure. Notwithstanding subdivision (10), the commission may upon application by the person declare that person eligible for employment or certification. 2:05:01:02. Felons to be rejected - Misdemeanants to be reviewed. No person may be employed or certified if that person has pled guilty or no contest to, or been convicted of, any offense which could have resulted in incarceration for more than one year. Any person who has pled guilty or no contest to, or been convicted of, an offense with a maximum penalty that could have resulted in incarceration of one year or less remains eligible for employment or certification unless the plea or conviction when considered along with the seriousness of the offense, time elapsed since the offense was committed, the persons conduct since the offense was committed, or other pertinent information indicates that the person should not be hired or certified. Do you have any concerns meeting the above qualifications for 2:05:01:01, or 2:05:01:02?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Sioux Falls

Address 224 W 9th St

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 57104-6407

Phone 605-367-8740

Website siouxfalls.gov