911 Operator

Police Communications Technician · NYPD Communications Section

Answer 911 calls. Dispatch cops. No college needed.

Starting minimum $51,790/yr per the current Notice of Examination (Exam 7307), plus health insurance, pension, and paid leave. Confirm the figure in the NOE, because it changes.

≈ $24.90/hr equivalent · $1,992 every 2 weeks, before taxes.

NYC minimum wage is $17/hr. This beats it by $7.90/hr, with health insurance and a pension on top.

Pay

$51,790/yr

The work

One written exam, then paid training

Exam

Civil service exam

Residency

Not required

Timeline

Months. Civil service lists move slowly. That's normal, not a rejection.

Check yourself

Do I qualify?

Check every box that applies. Be honest. Twenty seconds.

I have a high school diploma or GED Required in all cases. It's the hardest requirement on this list, and it's already behind you. I have ONE of these: a year of typing/clerical work, a year of talking to people for work, 30 college credits, or 2 years of military service Retail, food service, reception, customer service. Most public-facing jobs count. An equivalent combo can also qualify. I can pass a drug screening and a background check Standard for every city job. The investigation includes a $75 fingerprint screening fee. I'm okay with an 18-month probation and training courses You must pass the 911 calltaker and radio dispatcher training. The city trains you. That's the point.

The process

6 steps. That's the whole process.

0 of 6 steps

Done

OASys is the city's exam account system. You'll need your name, address, Social Security number, and an email address. This one account is how you file for every city exam from here on.

OASys, the city’s exam filing system (official)

Done

File for the Police Communications Technician exam in OASys. Miss the window and you wait for the next exam cycle. Check the Notice of Examination for the current filing fee and any waivers. Fees and rules change.

File in OASys (official)

Done

A multiple-choice test at a DCAS testing center (CTAC). You self-schedule it. Read the official Notice of Examination first. It tells you exactly what's on the test and what to bring. No surprises.

Notice of Examination No. 7307 (PDF), read this first

Done

Fingerprint screening ($75 fee), drug screening, and a background check. Bring originals or certified copies of everything: birth proof, diploma, any military papers. Don't exaggerate anything on your forms. That disqualifies you.

Done

Pass the exam and you land on a ranked eligible list. Hiring goes down the list as openings come up. This part takes months. It's not a rejection. It's how civil service works. Set a monthly phone reminder to check your OASys status.

Done

18-month probation. You'll complete the 911 emergency calltaker course and the radio dispatcher training course. Take it seriously. Failing training ends the appointment. Pass it and you're in: full-time city job, benefits, pension.

911 Operator

Do I qualify?

6 steps. That's the whole process.

This job involves typing under pressure.

Don't trust us. Trust .gov.

911 Operator

Do I qualify?

6 steps. That's the whole process.

This job involves typing under pressure.

Don't miss the filing window.

Don't trust us. Trust .gov.