Public Safety Dispatcher

About the role

This position is part of the United States Park Police Field Operations Division. This position ensures effective telecommunications to the Force, other law enforcement and public safety agencies, operational personnel and the public.

The incumbent will be responsible for answering 911 - Emergency and Non ­Emergency calls for service and providing full Law Enforcement communications services which operate 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

What you will do

• Serves as a dispatcher for the US Park Police, applying in-depth knowledge of dispatch operating systems, databases, and equipment, as well as knowledge of dispatch policies and past practices to isolate and solve unusual and difficult technical problems.
• Performs dispatch and call taking services for a wide variety of complex public safety related incidents and operations.
• Coordinates rescue, ambulance, and helicopter operations, etc., of various agencies.
• Receives and evaluations emergency calls for service.
• Provides dispatch support to law enforcement activities.
• Queries & relays wants, warrants, drive and vehicle status, Be on the Lookout (BOL), and Attempt to Locate (ATL) information for law enforcement contact and investigations.
• Serves as a certified operator of National Criminal Information Network (NCIC), National Law Enforcement Communications System (NLETS), and state criminal information networks (i.e., ACCESS, TLETS, VCIN, etc).
• Monitors a variety of alarm systems including intrusion, fire, robbery, panic, and maintenance related systems.
• Ensures appropriate response.
• Reports on alarm systems troubles.
• Assists law enforcement officers with investigations.
• Pay Information: A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected.
• The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.
• GS-6 range: $56,767 to $73,796 per year GS-7 range: $63,081 to $82,007 per year GS-8 range: $69,860 to $90,814 per year Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor.
• Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
• Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
• You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment.
• In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the United States Park Police uniform standards.
• Uniforms will be provided.
• You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
• If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
• This position has been designated "Essential".
• In the event of severe weather conditions or other such emergency type situations the incumbent is required to report to work or remain at work as scheduled to support mission operations.
• You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
• Within 12 months of employment, you must be able to obtain and maintain required dispatching and emergency management certifications determined by locality selected.
• This may include National Criminal Information Network (NCIC), National Law Enforcements Communications System (NLETS), and State criminal information networks (i.e., ACCESS, TLETS, VCIN, etc.) , and/or Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD).
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. *Additional Requirements located under qualifications*

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience at the grade level(s) of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job.

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Occupational Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly.

If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions may affect your rating. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted.

You may only submit one resume. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire *** and the result of the additional assessments required for this position.

In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. These assessments measure the critical competencies listed below that are required to successfully perform the job.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category.

Veterans with a service connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher.

Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories: Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.

Documents you must provide

• Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year format, and, indicate hours worked per week.
• If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.
• If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
• Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted.
• The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text.
• Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible.
• All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression.
• Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
• A complete Occupational Questionnaire Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as: Veterans Preference Documentation: If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15.
• If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
• If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
• If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15.
• You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from *** or call *** to establish proof of disability.
• If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area.
• You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal.
• To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above 85 on the rating criteria for this position.
• Do not submit photographs with your application package.
• Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc. Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents.
• Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

What to expect next

Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview.

You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete. Standing Register Open Continuous Information: The intent of this announcement is to establish multiple applicant lists for the US Park Police to conduct pre-employment testing on a regular and recurring basis.

Cutoffs will be used to manage large applicant pools for this announcement. Consideration will be given to candidates in sequential order within each group as depicted below as each group is exhausted. Qualifications must be met for those applications submitted by the cut-off date.

Applications will be considered for the following cut-off dates: Cut-Off Dates: Cut-Off 1: September 16, 2026 Cut-Off 2: October 15, 2026 Cut-Off 3: November 13, 2026 Cut-Off 4: December 14, 2026 Cut-Off 5: January 13, 2027 All applications will be reviewed for minimum qualifications.

Eligible candidates will be placed on applicant lists for further assessment by the U.S. Park Police.

You must submit your application by one of the indicated cut-off dates listed above.

You may not edit or update your application once it has been submitted.

Once all vacancies are filled, this announcement may close without further notice.

Additional information

Recruitment Incentive May Be Authorized for a newly selected employee when appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position. A Federal employee who is transferring to the National Park Service from another component, bureau or Federal agency and who does not meet the conditions under 5 CFR 575.102 is not eligible for a recruitment incentive.

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. Physical Demands: Incumbent must function efficiently in a confined space for extended periods with no breaks and no opportunity to leave the confines of the Communications Center.

The dispatcher is considered an "essential employee" meaning they are required to work most holidays, report for duty during adverse weather conditions, and be expected to work for long hours exceeding normally scheduled shifts in case of emergencies. Position is sedentary with high amounts of stress.

Incumbent is subject to shift work, rotating shift work, and uncommon tours of duty. Work requires use of the voice in vocal communications for periods of hours at a time. Voice must be clear, audible, and tone effective with words plainly spoken and understandable.

Incumbent must be able to hear clearly and discern a variety of audible communications and signals simultaneously. Incumbent must be able to read critical information from multiple sources, including computer screen, fax, and written log quickly and accurately. The work is of an emergency nature and is emotionally stressful.

Incumbent must possess manual dexterity sufficient to operate computer terminals/keyboards and related equipment and to maintain written logs. Work involves occasional lifting of boxes and supplies up to weights of 50 pounds. Working Conditions: The work is normally performed in a well-lighted and temperature-controlled room.

Noise levels are routinely high due to electronic equipment, telephones, radios, and other discussions ongoing in the performance of duties. The setting is typically confined and secure, and entrance and egress is controlled.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application.

Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis.

If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision.

You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement.

To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: ***