911 dispatching services in Newark, New Jersey, are provided by the City of Newark Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). The major City of Newark, which is the largest city in New Jersey and one of the nation’s largest hubs for air traffic, shipping, and rail service, is home to more than 277,000 people.
There are more than 300 public safety answering points (PSAPs) and public safety dispatch points (PSDPs) in New Jersey, and all 911 dispatcher jobs within these PSAPs and PSDPs are fulfilled through New Jersey’s Office of Information Technology, Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services and all requirements and procedures are therefore the same.
If you want to become a 911 dispatcher in Newark, you must complete a number of steps:
 | Meet Minimum Employment Requirements in Newark |
 | Apply for Employment in Newark |
 | Complete Training and Certification Requirements |
Step 1. Meet Minimum Employment Requirements in Newark
Unless you are applying as a public safety telecommunicator trainee position, which has no experience requirements, the minimum requirements for a 911 dispatcher position in Newark is:
- One year of experience receiving, transmitting, and relaying video display
And/or
- Radio messages, and recording complaints and requests for emergency assistance.
Eligible candidates must also have experience using video display, data processing, automatic number identification, automatic location identification, switching equipment, and other computer equipment.
A college degree or college coursework is not a requirement for attaining a 911 dispatcher job in Newark, but you may choose to pursue a degree to improve your chances for upward mobility in the profession. An associate or bachelor’s degree in a closely related field is commonly pursued by 911 dispatchers:
- Public Safety
- Communications
- Emergency Management
- Homeland Security
- Criminal Justice
Step 2. Apply for Employment in Newark
Job announcements for 911 dispatchers in Newark (or any other New Jersey PSAP) are found on the New Jersey Civil Service Commission’s website. Although the process for applying for a 911 dispatcher job is similar from one PSAP to the next, specific state, county and municipal governments may require a competitive test or different application process. Each job announcement therefore includes the specific application process.
Because of the differing application process that may exist, the New Jersey Civil Service Commission has provided an application system user guide to guide you through the process of applying and testing through the Civil Service Commission.
All open competitive job announcements are listed on the Civil Service Commission’s website. The online application system can then be used to apply for the 911 dispatcher position.
Step 3. Complete Training and Certification Requirements
Before you become a 911 dispatcher in Newark, you must achieve training and certification through the Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services (OETS). An approved basic training course must include the following topics:
- Enhanced 911 Systems and Operating Procedures
- Interpersonal Communications
- Overview of the EMS Function
- Overview of the Fire Function
- Overview of the Police Function
- Public Safety Records Systems
- Public Safety Telecommunications Systems
- Radio Broadcasting Rules and Procedures
- Telecommunicator Role in Public Safety
- Telecommunicators Legal Issues
- Telephone Techniques
If you are currently certified through the APCO Institute as a 24-hour Public Safety Telecommunicator Basic Training Course for New Jersey, you do not need to complete OETS training. Further, if you currently have at least 320 hours of work experience as a call taker or public safety dispatcher you do not need to meet any certification or training requirements.
All 911 dispatchers in Newark must complete an annual, in-service training following initial certification that is 8 hours in length and is developed by their local PSAP and approved by the OETS.
911 operators who are responsible for directly transferring emergency medical services must also be CPR certified through the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or the National Safety Council and certified as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD).