Telecommunicator - Lateral Entry

May 21, 2026

The McHenry Police Department is seeking experienced Telecommunicators to join our agency. To apply for this position applicants must have at least one year of experience in a multi-jurisdiction emergency dispatch center. Salary is dependent on qualifications. Wage range shown effective May 1, 2025.The Telecommunicator (T/C) is a civilian member of the Police Department engaged in the coordination and dispatch of emergency Police, Fire and Emergency Medical services provided by the City of McHenry received from Emergency Communications networks and devices including but not limited to E-911 telephone system, inter/intra-departmental voice radio interconnects and State/Federal criminal justice data systems. NERCOM handles on average 86,000 emergency service calls annually for 16 police and fire/rescue agencies.<ol style="padding: 0px 0px 0px 40px; margin: 0px 0px 3pt; color: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Respond to all requests for the City of McHenry, along with its dispatch center partners and customers, for police, fire and medical services for those and surrounding communities from the E-911 telephone system, local and multi-jurisdictional voice interconnects, data systems and alarm monitoring devices, to coordinate responses by emergency services personnel.</li><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Responsible for dissemination, data entry and file maintenance of all calls for service; emergency, non-emergency, traffic and service-related activities.</li><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Provides communications support and assistance to police officers, firefighters, EMS and public works employees within the communications area of responsibility.</li><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Provide assistance to the general public; provide information and directions; handle route inquiries or problems to appropriate police staff member.</li><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Provides data inquiry, retrieval and dissemination for criminal background, intelligence and daily activity summaries for personnel deployment, case investigation and administrative review.</li><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Performs visual security monitoring of Department’s jail facilities and secured building entrances, Squad, employee and facility immediate police public parking lot. </li><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Performs limited communications duties associated with Public Works related projects; emergency weather broadcasts and personnel deployment post business hours.</li><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Operates multi-faceted dedicated communications devices for services rendered by same, Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), In-House Police Records System, voice recording systems, Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD), FAX machines, copy machines, etc.</li><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Perform clerical work and records maintenance and all other duties as directed by the Communications Supervisor and all higher authority.</li><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Achieves and maintains LEADS (Law Enforcement Agencies Data System) certification, abides by all LEADS requirements including but not limited to “LEADS Access Security Standards” document.</li><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"> SAFETY – responsible for his/her safety and the safety of other employees through compliance with established guidelines; report circumstances and situations that are deemed hazardous, or otherwise detrimental to the public or City employees in a timely manner.</li><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Perform related duties as assigned.</li><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Abide by and be responsible for all Department General Orders, Regulations, policies and procedures related to the performance of the duties of a Telecommunicator and member of the Department. </li><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Appear in court if required.</li></ol><ul type="disc" id="isPasted" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;"><li style="font-weight: bold;">Minimum 1 year of experience in a multi-jurisdiction emergency dispatch center. </li><li>High school diploma or equivalent.</li><li>Obtain/maintain LEADS /NCIC, CPR, and EMD certifications</li><li>Pass extensive background investigation and employment physical. No felony convictions.</li><li>Ability to work a 24/7 schedule in 12 hours shifts. Weekends and holidays are required.</li><li>Work well under pressure, effectively manage stress, and maintain emotional balance under rapidly changing situations.</li><li>Ability to listen, comprehend the caller, follow established protocol, and make quick decisions affecting public safety.</li><li>Ability to multi-task - answer phones, communicate with caller , dispatch to police/fire/EMS, enter data into system all simultaneously.</li><li>Produce written reports, logs, and records.</li><li>General computer skills in a Windows environment; type 35 words per minute</li><li>Read, understand and interpret maps; receive/give directions using maps.</li><li>The ability to provide excellent customer service while professionally communicating with callers who may be angry, argumentative or disagreeable.</li><li>Understand and comply with all department procedures, rules, and regulations.</li><li>Bi-lingual skills a plus.</li></ul>Hiring Process<ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;"><li> All applications will be screened in order to confirm minimum qualifications are met. Qualified applications are kept on file and applicants may be selected for further consideration.</li><li>Applicants selected for further consideration will be invited to a mandatory panel interview.</li><li>Selected candidates will then be sent for psychological testing.</li><li>Candidates receiving an offer of employment will then be sent for a physical and drug screen.</li></ul> The City of McHenry is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected class.

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