In the city of Great Falls, Montana 9-1-1 dispatchers are called emergency services dispatchers and dispatch all emergency services including police, fire, and EMS. The position is filled and managed by the city under their Communications Bureau. Great Falls has a need for competent emergency services dispatchers due, in part, to the following:
- Great Falls has a higher rate of crime than the national average in some categories, including property crimes.
- Great Falls has an overall crime rate that is 3 times greater than surrounding cities.
- Great Falls has a harsh winter climate, increasing the likelihood of motorists and other people being stranded and needing emergency assistance.
Take the following steps to become a 911 dispatcher in Great Falls:
 | Meet Education and Job Requirements |
 | Apply For The Position |
 | Complete Dispatch Academy and CJIN Certification |
Step 1. Meet Education and Job Requirements
The minimum educational requirements for emergency services dispatcher jobs in Great Falls is a high school diploma. However serious applicants should consider seeking a college degree as part of the process. Obtaining a college degree will not only help you to prepare for the job, but it may put you at a competitive advantage in the hiring process.
Several colleges and universities in the Great Falls area offer majors relevant to becoming an emergency services dispatcher:
- Pre-law – A degree in pre-law studies will give you a base in the way the legal system works in the state of Montana in general and in Great Falls in particular. This will give you a base of knowledge from which you can draw when on the phone with callers and law enforcement alike.
- Criminal Justice – A degree in criminal justice will ensure that you are knowledgeable in state, local, and national criminal justice systems. This could prove very valuable on the job.
- Sociology – A degree in sociology will give you a foundation in the way people behave in a social context. This knowledge and experience can help you assist callers in navigating difficult situations that involve families and other groups of people.
Step 2. Apply For The Position
Emergency services dispatchers in Great Falls are responsible for dispatching police, fire, and EMS personnel. There are certain criteria you will need to meet in order to successfully apply for the position including:
- Ability to work any shift on 24 hour per day, 7 day per week, rotating basis. Overnights, weekends, and holidays may be necessary
- Fast and accurate typing abilities
- Acute attention to detail
- Familiarity with Great Falls road layout and monuments
- Good listening skills
- Ability to follow directions promptly and accurately
To apply for th emergency services dispatcher jobs in Great Falls you should fill out the Great Falls employment application and return it online by scanning it and uploading it on this website. Or the application may be hand delivered to:
Human Resources Office, Civic Center, Room 202
Mailed to PO Box 5021
Great Falls, MT 59403
Or
Faxed to 406-727-0005
Step 3. Complete Dispatch Academy and CJIN Certification
In order to qualify for the position you will need to complete additional training. You will need to complete the following:
- The Montana law enforcement academy dispatch school. You can click here for more information.
- Obtain the CJIN/NCIC certification. You can click here for more information or call (800) 690-8768.
You will need to continue to develop your skills on the job. Additional skills include:
- Ability to monitor and dispatch emergency units
- Preparation of records and other job related documents
- Look through databases of criminal histories, active warrants, and other information in order to advise law enforcement
- Public speaking regarding the 9-1-1 center and its activities