- All Communicators begin as Temporary Emergency Call Takers.
- Temporary Emergency Call Takers provide support to the Communications Unit by filling in for full-time Emergency Call Takers during periods of temporary absence (i.e., vacation, illness, etc.).
- Whereas full-time Emergency Call Takers are assigned to a Platoon and work a 4 day x 12 hour shift work schedule, Temporary Emergency Call Takers are assigned shifts and hours as needed to cover Unit vacancies.
Communications Unit Opportunities
Join our Team
- Respond to emergency 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls for assistance and information via the telephone or other mandated communication medium.
- Provide timely service, being a critical first contact between the public and emergency services which includes police, fire or medical intervention.
- Assess, prioritize and input critical information into the computer aided dispatch program and transfer calls to appropriate emergency response agencies as required.
- Must remain calm, composed and be able to take control of a situation that may be chaotic, heart-wrenching, stressful, and confusing.
Emergency Call Taker FAQ
One of the most frequent questions asked about the role is what exactly does temporary mean?
Is this a contract position? For example, renewed every 6 months?
- No, this is not a contract position. As long as you are meeting training benchmarks, Service expectations, remain available, and perform well in the role, you will continue to receive hours.
How many hours will you receive as a Temporary Emergency Call Taker?
- The Service puts a great deal of resources into Emergency Call Taker trainees – approximately 3 months of training initially (one month in class and 2 months live training on the floor) followed by another 3-4 months of dispatch training after at least 6 months of call taking.
- After making a significant training investment, the goal is to ensure that your skill set is maintained, by providing you with sufficient hours to ensure you do that.
- Although hours are not guaranteed, most Temporary Emergency Call Takers work at least 24 hours per week and increase to 44 hours per week during peak vacation times (May – September and December).
Is there ever any chance to work overtime?
- There are at times opportunities for overtime – particularly in the summer months.
How long does it take to attain a full-time position?
- Temporary Emergency Call Takers are eligible to apply for any posted full-time civilian position from their first day of employment with the Service.
- Attaining full-time employment varies as it is subject to vacancies within the Unit/Service and ensuring that NRPS internal job posting policies and procedures are followed.
Be a part of something great.
Join us and answer the call to serve our community.
If you have questions, or to learn more about this position, Email Careers@niagarapolice.ca.
Take the Self Assessment
Are you considering starting a meaningful career with us at the Niagara Regional Police Service Communications Centre? Take the self-assessment to find out.
Am I able to...
Work and learn in a fast-paced and ever-changing work environment? YES NO
Learn in a variety of settings (classroom, one-on-one coaching, online, etc.)? YES NO
Quickly grasp and comprehend training materials and procedural information? YES NO
Interact in a professional and calm manner, even under pressure? YES NO
Maintain a high level of professionalism, both on and off duty? YES NO
Work collaboratively and productively with coworkers and superiors? YES NO
Operate within a paramilitary working environment (i.e. take directions from your superiors in front of coworkers)? YES NO
Work in an office environment with scheduled breaks? YES NO
Gain a sense of satisfaction from keeping our community safe? YES NO
Work rotating shifts (days, evenings, nights), including weekends and holidays; potentially missing personal/family events? YES NO
Commit to deliver excellent service to the public? YES NO
Emotionally disengage in order to complete my tasks when dealing with situations involving suffering, tragedy, and other emergencies? YES NO
Solve problems under pressure? YES NO
Assess my strengths and weaknesses and seek opportunities for self-improvement? YES NO
Do my ordinary duties extraordinarily well with competence, commitment, and compassion? YES NO
Do I have...
Critical thinking abilities and excellent multi-tasking skills? YES NO
A strong support system for debriefing and emotional support? YES NO
Self-care strategies to maintain work-life balance? YES NO
The support of my family to commit the time required studying numerous materials during the training process? YES NO
The ability to concentrate, read, and comprehend training materials required to be successful in the training process? YES NO
The self-confidence to be assertive when the situation demands it? YES NO
Contact Us
Niagara Regional Police Service
Headquarters 5700 Valley Way Niagara Falls,
ON L2E 1X8
T: 905-688-4111
1 District - St. Catharines & Thorold
T: 905-688-4111 Ext: 1024233
2 District - Niagara Falls & Niagara on the Lake
T: 905-688-4111 Ext: 1022200
3 District - Welland & Pelham
T: 905-688-4111 Ext: 1023300
5 District - Fort Erie
T: 905-871-2300
6 District - Port Colborne & Wainfleet
T: 905-735-7811
8 District - Grimsby, Lincoln & West Lincoln
T: 905-945-2211