Are you looking for a career in a fast-paced, ever-changing, dynamic work environment? 911 Dispatchers for the City of Minneapolis answer calls for emergency assistance involving Police, Fire or EMS as well as answer other public service requests. As a 911 Dispatcher, you will prioritize and dispatch calls received at the Minneapolis Emergency Communication Center (MECC). MECC employees work in a well-equipped dispatch center. MECC is the busiest facility of its kind in the entire Midwest (outside of Chicago) and is one of a very few entirely civilian professional facilities. As a 911 Dispatcher, you are a critical link in the City's Police, Fire and EMS delivery system. You are the first and most important contact citizens have for help. Engaged - Supportive - Professional. Working hours/ Shift work: MECC must be staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Probationary employees are assigned shifts based on staffing needs/requirements. There is no guarantee a probationary employee will work a specific shift. Probationary employees will be assigned to different shifts during their first year, based on staffing shortages and coverage needs. Employees should expect that they would work a high percentage of weekends AND holidays. Job Duties and Responsibilities Use the 911 telephone and Computer-Aided-Dispatch (CAD) systems to answer and process emergency and non-emergency requests for service from the public and other sources, classifying requests by following department procedures and policies. Dispatch Police, Animal Control, BCR, and Fire units appropriately according to MECC policy. Provide on-going updates to responding field personnel in real time. Alert appropriate supervisory personnel when necessary. Initiate emergency phone tracing using special procedures for landlines and cellphones. Monitor and stay apprised of updates to 911 calls and responder status. Contact other emergency service organizations, public works crews, utility companies and others as necessary. Assist in training, monitoring, testing and evaluation of new MECC Call Takers; may provide classroom training to small groups of new employees; may work with new employees and provide coaching and advice on job performance. Host and explain operations to visitors and observers. Attend community meetings and represent MECC as a member of internal and external committees and on special projects as required. Maintain necessary records. Working Conditions: Office Environment with constant exposure to CRT terminals. Required Qualifications Required Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Required Experience: Minimum two years Dispatch/ Call Taker experience in a fast-paced, 911 environment. Licenses and Certifications: Ability to obtain as well as maintain Minnesota Criminal Justice Data Network Certification or must pass CJIS Competency Exam within 6 months of employment. Certifications are required to continue employment as a 911 Dispatcher. Typing: Candidate must be able to type 45 words per minute or a keystroke equivalent. This is included on the computer skills assessment exam (Criticall Test). Qualified candidates will be notified via email to self-schedule for computer testing.