Tucson police hiring for public safety operators

Public safety service operators serve as the first line of communication between 911 callers and police and fire services.

Operators receive emergency and nonemergency calls and pass the information to police and fire dispatchers, who ensure the appropriate agency responds, according to the job listing on the city’s website.

While the position is entry-level, with pay starting at $16 per hour, there are guaranteed opportunities for advancement within the future police and fire consolidated city communications department.

Applicants should be responsible and committed individuals who are looking for a challenging and rewarding career, said Angela Jackson, Tucson Police Department interim communications director.

The city of Tucson’s 911 call center is the busiest in Southern Arizona and the second-largest call center in the state, handling 1.8 million calls in 2016, Jackson said.

The consolidation, which city officials have been discussing since last year, aims to simplify and improve the existing 911 system while reducing space requirements and duplicate positions in the fire and police departments.

Pay for operators has increased in the past several months, with police service operators previously making $14.10.

That job title and classification has been restructured to the public safety service operator position so that fire and police can capitalize on the function, Jackson said.

For more information about the position, including qualifications and requirements, or to apply for the job, visit tucne.ws/ov5

The consolidation process is moving along as planned, Jackson said, with planning and design for construction of the new communications center underway. Construction is tentatively scheduled to start in January, Jackson said.