On the shores of Bellingham Bay with Mount Baker as its backdrop, Bellingham is the last major city before the Washington coastline meets the Canadian border. The City of Bellingham, which serves as the county seat of Whatcom County, is at the center of a uniquely picturesque area offering a rich variety of recreational, cultural, educational and economic activities.

A Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) receives and processes voice, text and multimedia requests for police, behavioral health, fire, and medical emergency response. The incumbent in this position determines the nature, urgency, and jurisdiction of a report and either dispatches public safety personnel and equipment to respond or transfers the call to the appropriate jurisdiction. The PST enters information from the reporting party and responding units into a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) software program and continually updates the status of those responding to the incident via radio, CAD, and phone communication. The PST provides guidance and assistance to the public in life-safety situations; and coordinates appropriate responses to high-risk, high-stress operations, with the objective of keeping all participants safe. The What-Comm Emergency Communication Center (ECC) serves as the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for Whatcom County. This position is essential and must report to work during times when the City is closed.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

What-Comm Public Safety Telecommunicator in Training
This is the entry-level position for new PSTs during their training period. A new hire will go through a structured training program to learn What-Comm policies and procedures for handling emergent and non-emergent calls as well as other agency, department, and dispatch center protocols.

What-Comm Public Safety Telecommunicator I
A PST in Training will promote to PST I when they successfully complete the initial training period and can independently perform emergency and non-emergency call receiving.

What-Comm Public Safety Telecommunicator II
A PST II is distinguished from the PST I position by the ability to independently operate all dispatch consoles as well as perform emergency and non-emergency call receiving.

Essential Functions:

1. Receives, prioritizes, and routes emergent and non-emergent reports from the public to appropriate jurisdictions. Accurately documents the location, nature, and source of the emergency report into a computer terminal using computer-aided dispatch (CAD) software. Develops and maintains familiarity with major roads, local businesses, and geographic features.
2. Professionally controls calls using de-escalation techniques and clear, effective verbal communication. Uses critical thinking and problem-solving skills to make decisions quickly in accordance with policy and procedures. Maintains a calm demeanor under chaotic and stressful circumstances, multiple conversations, and a frequently noisy environment. Employs effective stress management to maintain wellness and efficacy. Adheres to confidentiality, disclosure, and privacy related policies and laws.
3. Relays incident information and/or dispatches appropriate Police personnel to the scene of the reported incident. Retrieves and evaluates information from multiple databases based on knowledge of dispatch and emergency response procedures. Regularly contacts and updates status of field units according to established procedures and protocols. Contacts various resources as requested by field units. Switches rapidly between emergent tasks, prioritizing duties as needed to support the safety of responders and citizens.
4. Queries databases and evaluates warrant, order, stolen property, and missing person information. Enters stolen vehicles and missing persons or runaways into state and nationwide law enforcement databases and transmits requested information to law enforcement personnel in the field. Receives, documents, and processes incident information from various sources including but not limited to phone, text, TTY, relay services, telematics companies, and radio. Generates routine reports such as the incident history reports and incident shift summaries.
5. Communicates with a variety of local, state, and federal agencies regarding law enforcement activity and resources available for emergencies.
6. Develops and maintains working knowledge of best practices pertaining to public safety telecommunications. Maintains currency with industry changes and participates in continuing education and professional development.

Additional Work Performed:

1. May participate in developing and recommending updates to comprehensive dispatch policies, procedures, and protocols as necessary for the efficient operation of the center. Identifies and recommends new policies and procedures to improve dispatch operations and minimize liability.
2. Performs Lead Worker duties as assigned to include posting and mandating overtime, making seating charts, and notifying Supervisors or the Deputy Director of equipment/personnel issues and significant events which may impact staffing.
3. Performs training of new employees to include call receiving and radio dispatching, as assigned.
4. Performs other duties within the scope of the classification.
5. Manages chain of custody for records and documents used in court proceedings and legal discovery as assigned.

Bellingham Police - What-Comm Public Safety Telecommunicator (Dispatch) has 2 vacancies.

The deadline to test for the next hiring cycle is August 31, 2025.

This recruitment process will create a Civil Service register that will be used to fill anticipated vacancies.

Compensation Information: 

• $30.63/hr - What-Comm Telecommunicator-in-Training/What-Comm Telecommunicator I
• $32.16/hr - $38.39/hr - What-Comm Telecommunicator II (fully trained)

Upon promotion from What-Comm Telecommunicator I to What-Comm Telecommunicator II the salary starts at $32.16/hr. Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the What-Comm (Police Dispatchers) Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy.

In addition to the hourly rate of pay, What-Comm Telecommunicators are eligible for the following compensation:

• 8 hours of Holiday Pay at the rate of 1.5 times the regular rate of pay for 12 designated holidays
• 2.5 times the regular rate of pay for overtime hours worked on designated holidays
• Shift Differential for hours worked between 2:00 pm and 6:00 am
• 1% certification premium for obtaining and maintaining Telecommunicator Certifications
• Up to 1.5% matching deferred compensation contribution
• Eligibility for 3% Master Dispatcher premium after seven years of service
• Protected bid leave time

**The 2023 average annual compensation for the Telecommunicator work group is $105,619, this figure is provided for illustrative purposes and is an average including overtime, premium and specialty pays. This does not constitute any guarantee of compensation.**

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy the peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here’s a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can find more details on our employment benefits page and labor agreements page.

• 7.34 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid designated holidays + 3 floating holidays per year
• 8 hours sick leave accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

Other unique benefits for working with What-Comm are:

• non-traditional work hours
• supportive and fun team members
• annual continuing education opportunities
• room for advancement, and more!