SALARY
See Position Description
LOCATION
515 Clark Avenue, Ames, IA, 50010, IA
JOB TYPE
Full-Time
JOB NUMBER
26-2202-03
DEPARTMENT
Police
OPENING DATE
11/02/2026
CLOSING DATE
11/30/2026 12:00 PM Central
FLSA
Non-Exempt
BARGAINING UNIT
PPME
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT?
Yes
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT AREAS
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/b15a259924c342e1a434d38c270a4a0b
Centrally located in the heart of Iowa, Ames is a vibrant, progressive community with more than 66,000 residents providing an excellent quality of life. Home to Iowa State University, Ames offers year-round recreation opportunities, diverse cultural offerings, a stable economy, safe neighborhoods, and a high-achieving school district.
General Information
The City of Ames is looking to fill at least one position as Public Safety Dispatcher, within the Police Department. A Public Safety Dispatcher with the Ames Police Department performs work involved in the operation of a complex communications system; receives and handles both emergency and non-emergency communications from a wide range of sources; dispatches appropriate services, personnel, and and/or equipment in response to police, fire, or medical emergencies; and performs other related work as required. The work for this position is within a 24/7/365 environment and is subject to shift assignment and creates occasional mandatory overtime.
SALARY
The starting annual salary for this position is $57,147 ($27.4745 per hour) as of July 1, 2026. Specified months of City of Ames Dispatcher service are applied in step increases to salary, per the PPME bargaining agreement. The current steps are outlined below:
July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027
Months Annual Pay
0-18 $57, 147
19-36 $59,903
37 & up $69,239
HIRING WAGE INCENTIVE
Anyone who begins employment from this recruitment shall receive a hiring wage incentive to equal $1000.
This incentive shall be paid in the following increments:
1) 50% upon hire
2) 25% after 6 months of employment
3) 25% after probationary period ends or 12 months of employment (whichever is later)
If you have anyone who has referred you to this posting, please include their name in the Supplemental Questions response.
In order to be considered for this position, all applicants must submit their online application by the deadline listed on this posting. Your application includes complete responses to the supplemental questions. Please keep in mind that submission of a resume in lieu of work history on your application or answering the supplemental questions is not sufficient.
Applications submitted for this position by the application deadline may be considered for other openings in this classification for up to 10 months.
Written Exam and Simulation Testing:
Written exam is set for December 3, 2026, with Criticall testing to follow on December 7th and 8th, 2026 for those who pass the written exam. Further details will be emailed to those candidates who qualify for the testing components prior to each date.
Interviews will commence the same week of Criticall testing for candidates with passing scores.
BENEFITS
Our comprehensive benefits package can be viewed at: City of Ames Benefits
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information, please visit:
PSLF Program
Please see the Residency Requirement MAP outlining in turquoise the living area boundaries required for Police Boundary or Public, Professional and Maintenance Employees Local 2003 (PPME) bargaining unit agreement for this merit position.
Examples of Essential Job Functions
Conducts in depth research by utilizing multiple various resources.
Answers emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
Receives and relays messages to appropriate personnel.
Directs requests for assistance for police, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS) to the appropriate agency.
Prioritizes calls for service and dispatches appropriate resources in accordance with established operating procedures.
Provides emergency medical instruction.
Operates radio console by receiving and transmitting radio communications.
Maintains contact with units at all times during shift assignment.
Maintains a continuous record of the status of mobile units, manual/automated logs, and records, including a log of all information received and transmitted.
Sends/receives computer terminal messages and routes messages to appropriate destinations.
Monitors cameras, alarms, and City Hall doors in case of required emergency lockdown.
Works with other Police divisions, such as Animal Control and Records, and all other City of Ames departments.
Operates other equipment essential to the position.
Other Job Functions:
Regularly exposed to sensitive and confidential information that cannot be discussed or shared outside the workplace.
Act as essential emergency personnel and are required to come to work in disaster and bad weather situations.
Each employee is expected to continually strive to bring shared values to life through our Excellence Through People organizational culture. ETP values include: committing to continuous improvement; inspiring creativity and innovation; being customer driven; making data-driven decisions; championing employee involvement; striving for excellence; having fiscal stewardship; acting with honesty and integrity; exhibiting leadership; choosing a positive attitude; respect and dignity for one another; promoting safety and wellness; and cultivating teamwork. For leaders, this includes creating a work culture that brings these values to life. For all employees, this includes maintaining a Total City Perspective. The purpose of ETP is to deliver exceptional services to the public at the best price, and for employees to experience an enjoyable and stimulating work environment.
