Call Handler & Dispatch Operator (Dual Role)
Call Handler & Dispatch Operator (Dual Role)

Call Handler & Dispatch Operator (Dual Role)

Full-Time 24600 - 26500 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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South Yorkshire Police

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Handle emergency calls and dispatch resources to incidents, ensuring public safety.
  • Company: Join South Yorkshire Police, a community-focused organisation committed to fairness and integrity.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, flexible working, and a supportive team culture.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for career growth and personal development.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing valuable skills in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Strong communication skills and the ability to work under pressure are essential.

The predicted salary is between 24600 - 26500 £ per year.

Location: Atlas Court, Sheffield

Salary: £28,914 - £31,749 (plus 20% shift and weekend working allowance)

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract Type: Permanent

Responsibilities:

  • Receiving and critically assessing all types of contacts including 999, 101 and other types of contacts, by telephone or online, from the general public, police and other agencies.
  • Identifying the purpose and nature of each contact by eliciting relevant and sufficient information to enable an accurate and timely assessment of appropriate means of resolution.
  • Assessing risk and identifying the appropriate action to resolve or determine the appropriate agency, deployment grading and priority of contacts.
  • Maintaining accurate records of relevant information using appropriate systems to ensure an audit trail and to measure and improve performance.
  • Using a variety of applications and systems to maintain and update incident records, audit trails and resource availability to measure and improve performance.
  • Operating the Airwave network, linked to operational patrols within the guidelines and procedures of the Force.
  • Deploying resources to incidents within the guidelines and procedures of the Force.
  • Operating message systems and others including maintaining a watch on internal messages.

Skills and Experience:

  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to listen, empathise and provide support.
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to adapt language to meet the needs of different people/audiences.
  • Experience of information gathering and problem solving.
  • Able to utilise IT packages, systems and/or databases.
  • Able to appropriately prioritise and plan own work.
  • Ability to work under pressure, making logical and appropriate decisions.

What We Offer:

  • A highly competitive salary and access to a generous pension scheme.
  • Generous annual leave allowance.
  • A wide range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
  • Flexible working arrangements including flexi-time and hybrid working.
  • A transparent and collaborative team culture underpinned by our core values of Fairness, Integrity & Trust.
  • Comprehensive range of development and leadership courses to develop your career with South Yorkshire Police.
  • Employee Assistant Programme (accessible 24/7) offering confidential support and advice.
  • Flexible lifestyle benefits such as: Blue Light Card, Company Shop, Cycle to work scheme.
  • Committed to embedding sustainability: South Yorkshire Police Sustainability Strategy 2020-2025.
  • Membership to the Sports and Social Club.
  • Access to a wide range of staff support groups and networks.

Eligibility:

Applicants must meet the minimum requirement checkable history criteria, which must be taken into account for individuals applying to work with South Yorkshire Police in any capacity. A minimum checkable history of 3 years is required for this role and successfully undergoing recruitment vetting procedure is a pre-requisite of employment with South Yorkshire Police.

Appearance & Standards:

South Yorkshire Police is committed to striking a proportionate balance between self-expression and the need to maintain role sensitive professional standards in dress and appearance. Officers, staff, and volunteers of South Yorkshire Police are permitted to have tattoos visible whilst on duty provided the tattoo is not considered to be unacceptable or otherwise inappropriate. Tattoos will be reviewed as part of the recruitment and selection process.

South Yorkshire Police’s Key Values:

At South Yorkshire Police we have 3 key values which run through everything we do: Fairness, Integrity & Trust; the attached document details the key behaviours we expect all employees to adhere to.

Smarter Ways Of Working:

South Yorkshire Police is committed to developing working practices which assist staff to balance their personal and professional lives, whilst meeting the needs of the organisation. This in turn enables SYP to provide an outstanding service to the community.

Contact Details:

For further information about the role, please contact: Stephanie Ballantyne by email at FCR_Recruitment@southyorkshire.police.uk

Closing Date: 11th January 2026

Recruitment Timeline:

  • Shortlisting: 12th- 16th January
  • Online Assessment: 19th – 23rd January
  • Interviews: 9th – 20th February

Candidate Information:

If you are successful at the interview stage and before appointment, the relevant pre-employment checks are required. These include references, medical clearance, vetting clearance and sickness absence criteria check. As part of your employment contract, you would be required to engage with routine audiometry (hearing) testing as part of the force health surveillance programme. This test would be provided through the force Occupational Health Unit (OHU).

Training:

We are recruiting for our next training course which are scheduled to commence on 1st June 2026. During training you will be expected to work full time Monday to Friday for the first 13 weeks at Rotherham and Atlas Court, Atlas Way, Sheffield.

It is really important to us that the department represents the community we serve, in order for us to provide the best service, utilising a range of backgrounds, experience and skills. We support and value all officers and staff and the unique experiences they bring to the role. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from female and ethnic minority candidates. If you are from an underrepresented group and want to find out more about the support we can offer, please contact our dedicated team on positiveaction@southyorks.pnn.police.uk.

In addition, we will look to support anyone who requires Part Time/Job share working hours.

Call Handler & Dispatch Operator (Dual Role) employer: South Yorkshire Police

South Yorkshire Police is an exceptional employer, offering a competitive salary and a generous pension scheme alongside a supportive work culture that prioritises fairness, integrity, and trust. Employees benefit from flexible working arrangements, extensive development opportunities, and a commitment to sustainability, all while serving the community in Sheffield. With a focus on employee well-being and a range of family-friendly policies, South Yorkshire Police fosters a collaborative environment where diverse backgrounds and experiences are valued.
South Yorkshire Police

Contact Detail:

South Yorkshire Police Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Call Handler & Dispatch Operator (Dual Role)

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the role inside out! Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities of a Call Handler & Dispatch Operator. This way, when you get that interview, you can show off your knowledge and passion for the job.

✨Tip Number 2

Practice your communication skills! Since this role requires excellent listening and empathy, try role-playing scenarios with friends or family. It’ll help you feel more confident when it comes to those tricky interview questions.

✨Tip Number 3

Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events. They might share insider tips or even put in a good word for you when you apply through our website.

✨Tip Number 4

Stay calm under pressure! The role involves making quick decisions, so practice mindfulness or stress-relief techniques. This will help you showcase your ability to handle high-pressure situations during interviews.

We think you need these skills to ace Call Handler & Dispatch Operator (Dual Role)

Excellent Communication Skills
Empathy
Information Gathering
Problem Solving
IT Proficiency
Prioritisation
Planning
Ability to Work Under Pressure
Logical Decision Making
Adaptability

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Call Handler & Dispatch Operator. We want to see how you can bring your unique flair to our team!

Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since this role requires excellent communication, don’t hold back! Use clear and concise language in your application to demonstrate your ability to listen and empathise. We love a good communicator!

Be Specific About Your Experience: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific examples that showcase your problem-solving abilities and experience with information gathering. We’re keen to see how you’ve tackled challenges in the past!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands quickly. Let’s get you on board!

How to prepare for a job interview at South Yorkshire Police

✨Know Your Role Inside Out

Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Call Handler & Dispatch Operator. Familiarise yourself with the types of contacts you'll be handling, such as 999 and 101 calls, and think about how you would assess risk and prioritise actions in various scenarios.

✨Showcase Your Communication Skills

Since excellent communication is key for this role, prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to listen, empathise, and adapt your language to different audiences. Think of situations where you've successfully gathered information or resolved issues through effective communication.

✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities

Be ready to discuss past experiences where you've had to think on your feet and make logical decisions under pressure. Prepare to explain your thought process and how you prioritised tasks to resolve issues efficiently.

✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Systems

As the role involves using various IT packages and systems, it’s beneficial to brush up on any relevant software you might encounter. If you have experience with similar systems, be prepared to discuss how you used them to maintain records or improve performance.

Call Handler & Dispatch Operator (Dual Role)
South Yorkshire Police
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