911 Communications Operator

911 is calling. Join our team!

Before police, fire, or ambulance crews arrive, it is the 911 Communications Operators who are there - gathering critical information, calming the caller, delivering life-saving instructions, and dispatching the right emergency services. 

Covering an area of 7,411 square kilometers and working in 12-hour shifts, our local 911 Communications Operators dedicate their lives to helping people they will never meet. 

But as a local 911 Communications Operator, you'll do even more:

  • coordinate special transit pickups
  • manage after-hours utility calls
  • handle bylaw issues
  • respond to both emergency and non-emergency police calls for the City of Medicine Hat

You will be a part of the team that dispatches Medicine Hat Police and oversees all fire-related incidents in Medicine Hat, Redcliff, and the County of 40 Mile, and provides vital flight following for HALO.

Being a 911 Communications Operator is a calling. It’s less about training and experience and more about who you are. We are looking for people with the personality and qualities that set exceptional operators apart. If you are driven to help others, can stay calm under pressure, and make quick, sound decisions while multi-tasking, this role could be for you.

If you are comfortable working shifts that include nights, weekends, and holidays—and you are motivated to be there for people when they need it most—take our self-assessment to see if joining our team feels like the right fit.

Show me the assessment

Prior to applying, please ensure you are:

  • Able to commit to shift work covering days, evenings, nights, statutory holidays, and special events – all of which may include being called in on short notice
  • Eligible to work in Canada
  • Able to sit for up to 12 hours
  • Possess a grade 12 Diploma or GED
  • Free of criminal activity for 36 months (ie: no illegal drug usage, impaired driving, theft, etc.)
  • Able to complete a satisfactory pre-employment drug screening
  • Possess or willing to obtain a Standard First Aid/Level C CPR (Adult, Child & Infant)

Should you progress through the application process, you will also be required to:

  • Successfully complete an aptitude test and computer skills testing
  • Achieve security clearance, which includes polygraph testing
  • Complete Emergency Fire and Police Dispatching Courses (EFD, EPD)
  • Pass City of Medicine Hat hearing requirements
  • Satisfactorily perform in behavior testing and a behavioural descriptive interview process. This process addresses individual character attributes and your suitability to perform as a team member

Candidates will receive regular updates throughout the recruitment process to inform them if they have moved on to the next phase.

Phase One – Online Application 

Submit your application through our online portal, including all required documentation. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted via email to advance to Phase Two. 

Phase Two – Pre-Screening Call 

Shortlisted applicants will participate in a phone interview to discuss role requirements, expectations, shift scheduling, compensation, and next steps. Candidates who pass this phase will proceed to Phase Three.

Phase Three – Aptitude Test 

Candidates will complete an online aptitude test assessing skills such as multitasking, reading comprehension, typing speed, call summarization, and map reading.

Phase Four – In-Person Interview 

An in-person panel interview with behavior-based and situational questions.

Phase Five – Background Check, Assessment, and Final Decision 

Candidates progressing to this phase will undergo an initial background check, including: 

  • Police check 
  • Psychometric assessment 
  • 6-hour shift observation
  • Reference checks

At this time, candidates will be sorted into one of three categories:

  1. Conditional offer: You will receive a conditional offer for the position, dependent on clearing final pre-employments
  2. Talent pool placement: Those who are deemed appropriate candidates, but are not offered the open position, will be placed in our talent pool. This means you are shortlisted for open positions that come up in the future and will not need to complete the full recruitment process again.
  3. Non-selection: Candidates who are determined to be unsuitable for the role will be informed at this time.

Phase Six – Pre-Employments

Candidates in this final phase will complete additional pre-employment requirements: 

  • Polygraph test 
  • Proof of Standard First Aid and CPR training 
  • Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD) and Emergency Police Dispatch (EPD) training 
  • Hearing and vision tests 
  • Final police clearance 

Once these pre-employment steps are completed candidates are ready to begin their training! 

View open positions here and submit your application via our online portal.

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Contact Us

People Services

City Hall - Third Floor
580 1 St SE
Medicine Hat, Alberta
T1A 8E6
403-529-8352
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