At a Glance
- Tasks: Respond to emergency calls and provide crucial support during urgent situations.
- Company: Join a dedicated team at the forefront of public safety.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, shift allowances, gym membership, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Dynamic training environment with opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives when it matters most.
- Qualifications: Exceptional communication, active listening, and problem-solving skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36453 - 40011 € per year.
Are you ready to use your skills and experience in a role that makes a real difference in people’s lives? As an emergency call handler/dispatcher, also known as an emergency communications operator, you’ll be at the forefront of public safety, serving as the vital first point of contact for those facing emergencies during urgent situations. Join us in making a difference when it matters most!
Pay & Compensation
- Shift Allowance, Weekend Working Enhancement
- Weekend enhancement - Shift allowances of £9,249 - £10,152 pa.
- Total compensation £36,453 - £40,011 pa
- Shift percentage - 20%
- Hours per week - 37
The Role
As an emergency call handler, you will respond promptly to emergency calls, gather crucial details such as the nature of the emergency, location, number of people involved, and any immediate dangers. You will remain calm, provide reassurance, and give clear instructions to callers, helping them stay focused. You will assess the urgency of each situation, determine the priority level, and deploy appropriate emergency services to the scene, ensuring a timely response.
Qualifications
- Exceptional communication skills to convey information clearly and effectively, even in high-pressure situations.
- Active listening skills to attentively gather comprehensive and accurate details from callers.
- Proficient computer skills with experience navigating software, databases, and technology with ease.
- Emotional resilience to maintain composure and make informed decisions during stressful emergencies.
- Empathy and compassion to demonstrate understanding and support for callers in distress.
- Strong problem-solving ability to quickly evaluate situations and identify the best course of action.
- Effective multi-tasking skills to seamlessly juggle multiple tasks and ensure prompt and efficient handling of all emergencies.
What we can offer
We are recruiting for positions based in our Portishead control room (Police HQ) and at Bridgwater Police Centre, Express Park. There are some fantastic employee benefits on offer such as on-site gym membership (Police HQ), physical and mental wellbeing support and access to lots of discount services such as the Blue Light Card, which gives you money off in high-street shops and restaurants, holiday savings and offers for a wide range of business services online. Our salary package starts at £36,453 and increases each year.
Hours and Training
You will need to be prepared to work a variety of shifts, which will include a proportion of weekends, nights and bank holidays, for example: 6 on, 4 off shift-pattern consisting of shifts 7am-5pm, 1pm-11pm and 11pm-7am. Your journey with us will start with a 6 to 8 weeks training course where our inspiring team of dedicated trainers will teach you the skills you need to give expert advice to members of the public in the most critical situations. We cannot accommodate any leave during the course duration.
Recruitment Process
- Familiarisation Event - All applicants will be invited to attend a familiarisation event; during this session you will learn more about the role, the recruitment process and the training courses. This will be held virtually on MS Teams and is a mandatory part of the process.
- Assessment/Interview - You will be invited to undertake an assessment which will take place at our Police Headquarters in Portishead.
- Start date – June 2026 (this date is not guaranteed, it is dependent on successful completion of our vetting checks)
- Future courses will be available
About Us
We recognise the benefit different life experience and perspectives can bring. We are on a journey to become the most inclusive police force in the country. Find out more about our benefits and culture.
Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.
Emergency Call Handler / Dispatcher in Bridgwater employer: Avon and Somerset Police
Join our dedicated team as an Emergency Call Handler/Dispatcher in Portishead, where you will play a crucial role in public safety and make a real difference in people's lives. We offer a supportive work culture with excellent employee benefits, including on-site gym membership, mental wellbeing support, and access to discounts through the Blue Light Card. With a structured training programme and opportunities for career growth, this is an ideal environment for those looking to thrive in a meaningful and rewarding role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Emergency Call Handler / Dispatcher in Bridgwater
✨Tip Number 1
Get familiar with the role before applying! Join our familiarisation event to learn all about being an emergency call handler. It’s a great way to show your enthusiasm and get a feel for what we’re looking for.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! In this role, you’ll need to convey information clearly under pressure. Try role-playing emergency scenarios with friends or family to sharpen your responses.
✨Tip Number 3
Show us your problem-solving skills! Think of examples from your past where you’ve had to think on your feet. We love hearing how you’ve handled tough situations, especially in high-pressure environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our fantastic benefits right there.
We think you need these skills to ace Emergency Call Handler / Dispatcher in Bridgwater
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Communication Skills:As an emergency call handler, your communication skills are key! Make sure to highlight any experience you have in high-pressure situations where clear and effective communication was essential. We want to see how you can convey information calmly and confidently.
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Ability:In this role, you'll need to think on your feet. Use your application to showcase examples of when you've had to assess a situation quickly and make informed decisions. We love seeing candidates who can tackle challenges head-on!
Emphasise Your Empathy and Resilience:This job is all about helping people in distress, so let your compassion shine through in your application. Share experiences that demonstrate your ability to remain calm and supportive during tough times. We’re looking for those who can connect with callers emotionally.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s super easy, and you’ll find all the info you need to get started. Don’t wait too long, though – we might close the vacancy early if we get loads of applications!
How to prepare for a job interview at Avon and Somerset Police
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of an emergency call handler. Familiarise yourself with the key skills required, such as communication, active listening, and problem-solving. This will help you demonstrate your suitability for the role and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Practice Calmness Under Pressure
Since this role involves high-pressure situations, practice how you would respond to emergency scenarios. You might want to role-play with a friend or family member, simulating calls where you need to gather information quickly and provide reassurance. This will help you feel more prepared and confident during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Empathy
During the interview, be ready to discuss how you would handle distressed callers. Share examples from your past experiences where you've demonstrated empathy and compassion. This is crucial for the role, so highlighting your emotional resilience and ability to connect with people in tough situations will set you apart.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Technology
As an emergency call handler, you'll need to navigate various software and databases. Brush up on your computer skills and be prepared to discuss any relevant experience you have with technology. If you can, mention specific tools or systems you've used before, as this will show you're ready to hit the ground running.
