Santa Fe County’s Regional Emergency Communications Center (RECC), which was created in 2002, is a joint effort between Santa Fe County and the City of Santa Fe. It is the responsibility of the 911 dispatchers of the RECC to receive all emergency calls and to dispatch the calls to the applicable agency.
The RECC is governed by the Santa Fe Regional Emergency Communications Center Board of Directors. The RECC always recruits and trains 911 dispatcher (emergency communication specialist) positions. Therefore, if you want to become a 911 dispatcher in Santa Fe County, you must complete a number of steps:
 | Meet Minimum Requirements for Employment |
 | Submit an Application for Employment |
 | Undergo Interview and Pre-Employment Screening Process |
 | Complete Mandatory Training Program and Certification |
Step 1. Meet Minimum Requirements for Employment
Before applying for a 911 dispatcher job in Santa Fe County, you must ensure you meet the minimum requirements for employment, which include being at least 18 years old within six months from the date of hire. You must also have no felony convictions or any other convictions involving crimes of moral turpitude.
Other requirements for a 911 operator include being able to type at least 35 wpm and having knowledge of computers and electronic data processing, modern office practices and procedures, and street locations and area geography.
Pursuing a college degree is nevertheless commonplace for individuals, particularly for those individuals who are setting their sights on future advancement in the profession.
Just a few of the college degree programs that you may choose to pursue include:
- Emergency Management
- Public Safety
- Homeland Security
- Communications
- Psychology
- Criminal Justice
Step 2. Submit an Application for Employment
There are a number of ways you can apply for a 911 operator job in Santa Fe County’s Regional Emergency Communications Center:
- You can submit an application online using the online application.
- You can complete an application by visiting the County’s Human Resources office, which is located 949 West Alameda in Santa Fe.
- You may also print and complete an employment application (PDF) and fax it to the Human Resources office at 505-992-9895.
All applications must include a Pre-Employment Inquiry Authorization Release form.
Step 3. Undergo Interview and Pre-Employment Screening Process
If you meet the minimum requirements for employment as a 911 operator and are chosen by the HR Division as a candidate, you will undergo a formal interview. From there, if you are chosen by the HR Division, you will be contacted with a contingent officer of employment, and you will be required to complete the pre-employment screening process, which includes a background investigation, an alcohol/drug screen, a complete physical examination, a panel interview, and a CritiCall test.
You must score at least 75 percent on the CritiCall test to be eligible for the next phase of the employment process, which includes attending the Applicant Orientation for the Santa Fe Regional Emergency Communications Center.
Step 4. Complete Mandatory Training Program and Certification
Upon being hired as a 911 operator, you must attend the New Mexico Department of Public Safety Dispatcher Certification Academy within one year from the date of hire. You must also obtain a New Mexico DPS Basic Dispatch Certificate within one year from the date of your hire and an FBI National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Certificate within 6 months from the date of your hire.