Civilian employee job: 9-1-1 dispatcher (Telecommunications operator)

Behind the call

Telecommunications operators are the first person a caller speaks to when calling 911 or requesting police assistance. Operators have to keep callers calm during emergencies to gather as much information as possible and help ensure both public and officer safety. Their role is critical to the delivery of RCMP police services.

Our approximately 1,000 RCMP telecommunications operators are lifelines for RCMP officers across the country. They provide the ever-changing information officers need to do their work.

If you're ready for a meaningful career where you can make a real difference in the lives of others, and contribute to keeping Canadians safe — this is the career for you!

What the work involves

Telecommunications operators:

answer public calls for police and emergency help
analyze and provide information to police officers
dispatch and track police response
search databases to help with investigations

Salary and benefits

As an RCMP telecommunications operator, you'll enjoy:

competitive salaries, increasing from $64,265 to $86,007 within the first 6 years of service
paid training and extra duty pay for overtime, evening and statutory holiday shifts
incremental vacation and indexed pension
full-time and part-time opportunities across Canada, including the possibility to transfer between any of our 18 Operational Communications Centres, which includes unique locations such as Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and Yukon
medical, dental and family health plans
promotional and professional development opportunities

For experienced telecommunicators from other police agencies in Canada, you'll enjoy:

a competitive salary in line with your prior work experience (PO-TCO-02)
career opportunities - as an RCMP telecommunications operator you will be a federal public service employee, meaning you can apply for and transfer to other RCMP and Government of Canada jobs

Some things to consider

As an RCMP telecommunications operator, you'll be expected to:

work shifts, including nights, evenings, weekends and holidays
remain calm in crisis situations and be exposed to traumatic, violent and disturbing events
be exposed to multiple screens, lights and noise disturbances for extended periods of time
work on short notice and overtime to meet operational needs
testify in court
travel for training and operational requirements

Reality is that as a telecommunications operator, you'll be exposed to emotionally and mentally challenging situations. We have many health programs and services available to support you and help maintain your psychological health.

Qualifications and requirements

To apply as a telecommunications operator of the RCMP, you must:

be a Canadian citizen or have permanent status in Canada
have a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent
not have a criminal record and be three years clear of any illegal activity
meet the health and psychological standards, as assessed by RCMP Health Services
meet the required vision and hearing standards
be proficient in English, and French if the position is bilingual
type 40 words per minute
be willing to work out of one of the RCMP's 18 communication centres
be willing to work shift work including weekends and holidays

To apply as an experienced telecommunications operator, you must:

have successfully completed a Canadian police call-taking and dispatching training program
have a minimum of two years experience as a telecommunications operator, within the last five years
meet all of the above qualifications and requirements of a regular applicant

Telecommunications operators occupy safety-sensitive positions. As RCMP employees, they must abide by the RCMP's Substance Use Policy.

Our communication centres

St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Montreal, Quebec
Ottawa, Ontario
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Regina, Saskatchewan
Edmonton, Alberta
Red Deer, Alberta
Kelowna, British Columbia
Surrey, British Columbia
Courtenay, British Columbia
Prince George, British Columbia
Whitehorse, Yukon
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Iqaluit, Nunavut

Find jobs and apply

If you meet all the qualifications and requirements, you may continue with the application and selection process.

Specific qualifications for each position are listed in job opportunities on GC Jobs.

For more information, attend a career presentation.

Experienced telecommunicator applicants should contact a recruiter for specific information on the process.

Application and selection process

Complete the following steps to apply to be an RCMP telecommunications operator. If you have questions about the application process, please attend a career presentation.

Step 1: Submit an online application

Submit an online application on the Government of Canada's GC Jobs website. Search for opportunities labelled:

Telecommunications Operator
9-1-1 Police Dispatcher

Before submitting your application, make sure you meet the qualifications and requirements. Your application must also show how you meet the essential qualifications for the specific job opportunity.

For bilingual positions, you will need to undergo language testing during the selection process.

Step 2: Complete an aptitude test

We'll contact successful applicants to schedule a self-administered and self-scoring computerized test called CritiCall. This test evaluates multitasking and decision-making skills.

If you pass this test, you'll proceed to step three.

If you do not successfully complete this step or any of the following steps, we'll remove you from the process and let you know when or if you can reapply.

Step 3: Complete and submit forms

We'll send you a selection package that contains:

various security, disclosure and health forms
a preparatory guide for the selection interview (step four)

You must complete and submit the forms by the deadline given to you.

You may need additional health assessments depending on the employment conditions for the province or territory where you're applying.

Step 4: Complete the selection interview

During this interview, we'll ask questions to find out how you behaved in certain past situations. The questions also help assess the decisions you would make in hypothetical scenarios. This interview may take one to two hours.

Step 5: Get your security clearance

We'll conduct reference checks and a field investigation to determine if you're eligible for the required security clearance. These checks look at your personal finances, education, previous employment and character references. If successful, you will receive your security clearance.

Applicants must be 3 years clear of any illegal activity.

Step 6: Receive a conditional offer

We'll present selected applicants with a job offer. The offer includes information about training dates, salary and a benefits package.

Training

After accepting the conditional job offer, you'll need to take part in an extensive core training program. The location and duration of the training depends on the hiring communications centre.

The core training program has two classroom components:

Call-taking (up to 5 weeks)
Dispatching (up to 2 weeks)

You'll receive a trainee's hourly wage of $32.85.

After completing the classroom training, you'll enter the field coaching program. You'll work in the operational communications centre under the supervision of a certified field coach (up to 600 hours).

Welcome to the job

Once you complete the field coaching program, you obtain approval to work on your own. Your hourly wage will increase to $36.12, plus any extra duty pay for overtime, evening or statutory holiday shifts.

Contact us

The RCMP holds recruiting events such as career presentations for people interested in telecommunications operator (9-1-1 Dispatcher) careers. Events are held in a number of cities and towns throughout the year.

B Division - Newfoundland and Labrador: Telephone: 709-772-5400 (option 2)
C Division - Québec: Email: cdiv_dotationfp_psstaffing@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Telephone: 514-939-8300
D Division - Manitoba: Email: rcmp.doccrecruiting.grc@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
E Division - British Columbia: Website: 9-1-1 police dispatcher careers in British Columbia
F Division - Saskatchewan: Email: rcmp.foccrecruiting-fstorecrutement.grc@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Telephone: 639-625-3770
G Division - Northwest Territories: Email: rcmp.gocc-gsto.grc@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
H Division - Nova Scotia: Email: hdiv-occstaffing@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
J Division - New Brunswick: Email: nbrcmpocc.stogrcnb@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
K Division - Alberta: Email: rcmp.koccrecruiting-kstorecrutement.grc@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Telephone: 780-412-5350
L Division - Prince Edward Island: Email: lpshr-rhfpl@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
M Division - Yukon: Email: mdiv_occ_recruiting@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
O Division - Ontario: Email: rcmp.odivo_pscm_staffing-dotation_fpmc.grc@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
V Division - Nunavut: Email: rcmp.voccrecruiting-vrecrutementsto.grc@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Date modified:: 2025-04-25

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