Career Opportunities

The 911 Center is staffed by civilian personnel and is a separate agency from the Police and Fire Departments. All new employees join the 911 Center as Emergency Communications Technician I (ECT I). They train in one of three disciplines—call-taking, Police dispatch or Fire dispatch—and ultimately cross-train in at least one of the others.

Paid Training

New hire training consists of 12 weeks of rigorous classroom education and simulation exercises. Those who complete this training will continue by working in the live 911 Call Center with an experienced on-the-job trainer.

Hiring Incentives

Newly hired employees are eligible for the following bonuses provided they complete the various stages of their training:

• $1,000 at the time of hire. New employees with at least two years of 911 Center experience will receive an additional $2,000
• $1,000 when becoming an independent Calltaker or Dispatcher
• $1,000 at the completion of the probationary status (after two years of employment)

Shift Rotation

Center employees rotate 12-hour shifts (7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.) every 17 weeks (three times a year). This results in an 84-hour work schedule for every two-week work period. The position requires working every other weekend, including holidays, with rotating days off. During each two-week pay period, employees work one 48-hour week and one 36-hour week with a three-day weekend, off every other weekend.

Sample Work Schedule

Below is a sample work schedule for a four-week work period:

Essential Personnel Classification

911 Center employees are classified as essential personnel. This designation requires employees to:

• Report to work on time. There is no grace period for the scheduled start time.
• Report to work as scheduled during inclement weather, catastrophic events and unusual staffing circumstances.
• Sign up for standby duty on two non-scheduled work days each month. You may be required to report to work that day as staffing levels dictate.
• Work mandatory overtime if required. Employees will generally be held mandatory for no more than four hours beyond a 12-hour shift.

Benefits

Learn more about the valued benefits that come with the ECT position, including a competitive salary, County-paid parking and the opportunity to advance.

Note: Paid holidays are not a benefit for essential personnel, including 911 Center employees.

Veteran Employment

A vet-friendly employer, the 911 Center offers veterans an opportunity to continue serving your community using the skills you acquired in the military. Veterans should apply if you:

• Have served at least two years active duty in one of the United States Armed Services (reserve time excluded)
• Received an honorable discharge
• Solve problems calmly, quickly and decisively while under pressure
• Have resilience and adaptability in challenging and quickly changing situations
• Approach the job and the team with which you work with professionalism, integrity, and a strong sense of respect and responsibility
• Discipline to work independently while successfully contributing to the organization

Learn More

Learn more about a career as an ECT by watching the following videos:

• 911 Center Recruitment
• A Day in the Life of a Dispatcher

For additional questions, email the 911 recruiting department at 911recruit@baltimorecountymd.gov.