Public Safety Dispatcher

The following duties are listed at the full performance GS-08 grade level: Coordinate initial emergency response, evaluating incidents, soliciting all necessary information, and applying judgment according to interagency guides, protocols and pre-plans.

Receive and evaluate emergency calls, soliciting information to initiate an appropriate response of emergency services personnel, acquiring critical information (law enforcement, fire, medical search and rescue, etc.) from the public and other public safety agencies.

Use a variety of specialized computer programs such as NCIC (National Criminal Information Center), NLETS (National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System), and CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) in the performance of dispatch duties. Complexity of communication center will vary by park location.

Centers may perform multi-jurisdictional all-risk incidents (law enforcement, wildland fire, structural fire, aviation, intelligence, medical, search and rescue, and other emergency services), and/or serve at an interagency level (collaborate with federal, state, county, and local agencies).

Serve as the senior dispatcher on staff, providing orientation, training, and leadership for lower graded or new dispatchers. At this level, dispatchers are expected to be able to troubleshoot issues and contribute to more efficient operations by reviewing and making recommendations for improvement of operating procedures.

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level. This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until . The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be, with subsequent cut-off dates of every 15 days.

Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Initial consideration will be given to candidates whose applications have been received before the first cut-off date.

Qualification and/or time-in-grade requirements must be met for those applications submitted by the first cut-off date. Some positions are career seasonal. The nature of seasonal work may vary from year to year, which is generally based on budget, workload, and/or weather.

A career seasonal work schedule provides for at least 26 weeks (13 pay periods) of full-time work, and as many as 26 weeks (13 pay period) of non-duty/non-pay time per year as determined by management. The non-pay time for these positions may be two weeks to six months but is expected to be two consecutive weeks between (ex. October and December).

See locations below for non-pay time. You will have the option to continue your health coverage while in non-pay status.

Positions may be filled in the following duty locations: Everglades NP- Homestead, FL, 1 position, GS-05/06/07, Perm FT, for additional info contact Davy Duca Great Smokey Mountains NP- Gatlinburg, TN, 1 position, GS-07/08, Perm FT, PCS Offered, for additional info contact Doraliz Heemstra Lake Mead NRA- Boulder City, NV, 6 positions, GS-05/06/07/08, Perm FT, PCS Offered, for additional info contact Kristin Lewis Mount Rushmore NM- Keystone, SD, 1 position, GS-05/06, Perm FT, for additional info contact Todd Grabow National Capital Region Communications Center- Harpers Ferry, WV, 4 positions, GS-05/06/07 and GS-07/08, Perm FT, for additional info contact Robin Thomas **Although the positions identified above may be listed as Permanent Full-time, these locations may also fill Permanent Career-Seasonal positions from this announcement.**

Qualifications: All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-12/31/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience.

Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience.

For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214(s) or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: For the GS-05 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-04 grade level; OR A Bachelor's degree or 4 years of successfully completed education above high school (You must provide transcripts if qualifying based on education); OR Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education (in excess of the first 60 semester hours) and specialized experience.

The education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university.

Examples of specialized experience are: Performing work that provides familiarity with public safety policies and procedures such as but not limited to working as a security guard, law enforcement officer, or emergency responder (medical or search and rescue); Relaying information from callers using a multi-line telephone or multi-frequency radio system to initiate a response; Serving as a dispatcher for safety or non-safety services (i.e. perform dispatch functions on a fire, construction site, other).

For the GS-06 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level.

Examples of specialized experience are: Providing dispatch and/or call taking services, related to public safety (medical, law enforcement, search and rescue, fire or other emergencies/public safety related); Operating computer systems such as but not limited to National Criminal Information Network (NCIC), National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS), Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), or similar systems that aid in public safety dispatching to run queries and document communications.

For the GS-07 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 grade level.

Examples of specialized experience are: Providing dispatch and call taking services in a communications center that provides public safety (medical, law enforcement, search and rescue, fire or other emergencies/public safety related) dispatch operation, in a complex environment (i.e. remote/urban environment, wildland fire, or other complex environments or situations); Coordinating responses to emergency incidents by initiating response of personnel and equipment according to agency protocols and providing communication and logistical support to responders; Operating computer systems such as but not limited to National Criminal Information Network (NCIC), National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS), Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), or similar systems that aid in public safety dispatching to run queries and document communications.

For the GS-08 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level.

Examples of specialized experience are: Providing dispatch and call taking services in a communications center that provides public safety (medical, law enforcement, search and rescue, fire or other emergencies/public safety related) dispatch operation, in a complex environment (i.e. remote/urban environment, serves more than one division, unit, jurisdiction, and/or agency, or other complex situations); Coordinating responses to emergency incidents by initiating response of personnel and equipment according to agency protocols and providing communication and logistical support to responders; Operating computer systems such as but not limited to National Criminal Information Network (NCIC), National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS), Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), or similar systems that aid in public safety dispatching to interpret information, run queries and document communications; Reviewing internal operating procedures and systems related to public safety to make recommendations for improvement; provide technical guidance, orientation, and training to new employees or lower level dispatchers.

Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

EXPLORE Act Veteran Hiring Pilot ProgramThe Department of the Interior has created a two-year Veteran Hiring Pilot as established by the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act that aims to expand employment opportunities for Veterans (and eligible transitioning Service Members).

This position has been identified as EXPLORE Act Veteran Hiring Pilot eligible. The pilot supports DOI's conservation and resource management mission by connecting qualified Veterans with career opportunities across the Department. To learn more, visit https://www.doi.gov/veterans/explore-act.