NRECC Application Process
Dublin is home to the Northwest Regional Emergency Communications Center (NRECC), a nationally accredited consolidated 911 police, fire and EMS dispatch center servicing four municipalities and two townships in Central Ohio. NRECC dispatches for Dublin, Hilliard, Worthington and Upper Arlington Police, as well as the Washington Township, Norwich Township and Upper Arlington fire departments.
Dispatchers — known at NRECC as Communications Technicians — are dedicated professionals who answer your emergency calls and send help where it is needed. The City of Dublin is an equal opportunity employer.
5 Ways To Prepare for an Interview
Observe a Dispatcher
Experience a shift of a 911 communications technician. Citizens may observe once every six months for a two- to four-hour shift. Submit an observation request form.
Review Website
Do your research! Learn the NRECC’s mission and goals, standards, training programs and community engagement efforts. Learn more about NRECC.
Read NRECC’s Annual Reports
See in what areas the consolidated dispatch center has been active in the last few years. See the annual reports.
Prepare for the CritiCall Assessment
Everyone who applies to become a communication technician must pass a CritiCall exam. Learn more about the test.
Attend a Community Event
The Dublin Police Department and NRECC host multiple community events throughout the year, so visit and speak to a communications technician the next time you are in Dublin. Check the City calendar.
Qualifications
Requirements
Communications technicians must successfully participate in and pass a series of comprehensive interviews, tests and exams, which are designed to narrow the field of applicants to those who are the most qualified and will uphold and model the agency’s mission and core values.
Communications Technician Minimum Qualifications
- High School Diploma, G.E.D., or equivalent certificate
- Possession of a valid Ohio driver’s license
- Must be at least 18 years of age at time of application
- Must be a United States citizen or United permanent resident
Other Requirements
- Ability to acquire and maintain Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS) and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) certification
- Successful completion of all phases of the selection process prior to appointment, including application phase, information session, CritiCall Assessment, structured panel interview, background investigation and record check, final interview with the Chief of Police, polygraph examination, psychological evaluation, medical examination and drug test
- Must establish and maintain a primary place of residence within a county within which the Dublin Police Department has jurisdiction or a county contiguous with such county of jurisdiction. That list includes Franklin, Delaware, Union, Morrow, Marion, Hardin, Logan, Champaign, Madison, Pickaway, Fairfield, Licking and Knox counties.
- Compliance with training directives established by supervisory/managerial personnel
- Adherence to all applicable federal and state safety laws rules, and regulations and City of Dublin safety policies and procedures
- Regular and punctual attendance is regarded as an essential requirement of this classification
Salary & Benefits
Competitive Salary and Benefits Package
It is at the discretion of the Chief of Police where to place a candidate in the step process based upon past relevant experience.
Following the employee’s initial appointment to a position within the Communications Technician classification, advancement to successive steps within the wage structure shall occur annually on the employee’s anniversary date.
2024 Wage Structure
This wage structure began January 2024 for Communications Technicians.
- Step 1: $59,347.18
- Step 2: $62,685.46
- Step 3: $66,023.75
- Step 4: $69,362.01
- Step 5: $73,071.20
- Step 6: $76,780.41
2025 Wage Structure
This wage structure will begin January 2025 for Communications Technicians.
- Step 1: $61,424.33
- Step 2: $64,879.45
- Step 3: $68,334.58
- Step 4: $71,789.68
- Step 5: $75,628.69
- Step 6: $79,467.72
Longevity
Communications Technicians receive, in addition to the pay rates, an annual longevity payment based upon completed years of service with the City according to the following schedule:
Years of Completed Service Payment
- 4 years through 6 years – $950.00
- 7 years through 10 years – $1,150.00
- 11 years through 14 years – $1,450.00
- 15 years through 19 years – $1,700.00
- 20 or more years – $1,900.00
Benefits
Health Insurance
The City of Dublin makes available medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and wellness benefits to all Communications Technicians and dependents who meet the eligibility requirements of the plan.
Benefits are effective on first day of employment.
Retirement Benefits
City of Dublin Communications Technicians participate in the retirement program approved by the State of Ohio, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System. The employee contributes 10% of gross pay (deferred from Federal and State taxes) and the City contributes 14% of gross pay.
Varied retirement benefits are available based on age and service time.
Life Insurance
100% employer paid, the City of Dublin provides 1.5 times an employee’s annual salary up to $150,000 term coverage. There is a 30-day waiting period. Supplemental coverage is available at a cost to the employee.
Vacation Leave
An employee who has prior public service with any state government, or any political subdivision thereof, may receive credit for the employee’s prior service with such entity for the purpose of computing the amount of the employee’s vacation leave with the City, if the nature of said service is relevant to the nature of the employee’s service with the City.
- 0 year up to 1 year – 40 hours
- 1 year up to 4 years – 108 hours
- 4 years up to 9 years – 142 hours
- 9 years up to 15 years – 182 hours
- 15 years up to 20 years – 208 hours
- 20 years or more – 246 hours
Personal Leave
Effective the first pay period of January of each year each Communications Technician receives 40 hours of personal leave. However, new Communications Technicians appointed throughout the year will receive a pro-rated allocation of Personal Leave.
Sick Leave
All Communications Technicians are entitled to sick leave with leave accrued at the rate of 4.614 hours per pay period. Sick leave with pay will accrue without limitation.
Any Communications Technician who has accrued sick leave with the State of Ohio, or any political subdivision of the State, is entitled to have this accrued sick leave transferred to the City of Dublin.
Tuition Reimbursement
Communications Technicians are eligible for a maximum of $3,750 in reimbursement per calendar year for fees and required textbooks for job-related courses/degree programs of instruction voluntarily undertaken.
Training
The Dublin Police Department values continuing education and professional development. We offer Communications Technicians continued professional education annually. Communications Technicians are also given the opportunity to take part in additional advanced training at the City’s expense.
Collective Bargaining
Communications Technicians are represented by the Fraternal Order of Police Ohio Labor Council.
Career Opportunities
The Dublin Police Department has an authorized strength of 125 employees, including 74 sworn officers and 51 civilian employees. NRECC employees are considered civilian employees within the police department.
Full-Time Assignments
- 29 Communications Technicians
- 6 Communications Supervisors
- 3 Communications Managers
- 1 Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) Manager
- 1 Communications Systems Specialist
- 1 NRECC Director
Ancillary Assignments
- Communications Training Officer
- Warrant Team
- Computer-Aided Dispatch Team Manager
- Incident Dispatch Team
- Radio Programming
- Community Education Team
Steps of the Hiring Process
Application
- Each candidate will be required to complete the online employment application.
- Upon completion of the online employment application, each candidate will receive notification of receipt of the application materials as well as their status with respect to their eligibility to participate in the written examination.
Information Session
Applicants who are notified of their eligibility to participate in the hiring process will be required to attend a communications technician information session. This session will provide candidates with important information regarding the hiring process, training program, job requirements and competencies to become a successful communications technician. This session is also designed to help the candidate become familiar with the demands of the position and provide them the opportunity to ask questions of current staff.
CritiCall Assessment
- A CritiCall assessment will be administered to all qualified candidates who attend the mandatory communications technician information session. The assessment will be weighted by a factor of 30%. CritiCall is provided by The Biddle Consulting Group, a human resources consulting firm specializing in affirmative action, equal employment, testing and validation.
- In order to increase testing integrity, each candidate will be required to show at least one source of identification containing their picture at the time of the assessment.
- At least the top 10 candidates who receive a passing score on the CritiCall assessment will progress to the structured panel interview phase of the hiring process.
Structured Panel Interview
A structured panel interview will be administered for at least the top ten (10) candidates that receive a passing score on the CritiCall Assessment. The interviews are no more than one hour in length and generally conducted over a one week period. Panel members include a representative from Human Resources, NRECC and a representative from a partnering agency. The panel interview is weighted at 70% of the total eligibility list score.
Creation of Preliminary Eligibility List
Candidates who complete the structured panel interview phase of the process will be placed on the Preliminary Eligibility List in order of their combined weighted scores tabulated from the CritiCall assessment and the structured panel interview.
Continued eligibility will be conditional upon successful completion of the remaining components of the selection process as described in the remainder of the Administrative Order. Candidates who are disqualified during subsequent phases of the selection process will be removed from the Preliminary Eligibility List and/or Final Eligibility List, as applicable.
The Preliminary Eligibility List and/or Final Eligibility List will be valid until completion of the current recruitment and selection process at which time vacancy(ies) have been filled. The Preliminary Eligibility List and/or Final Eligibility List may also be extended for an additional period of not more than six months by order of the director of Human Resources or the Chief of Police.
Background Investigation and Record Check
The director of Human Resources, or designee, will initiate background investigation and record check procedures by forwarding on to the Dublin Police Department, at minimum, the number of candidates’ applications necessary to fill the current vacancy(ies) in rank order from the Preliminary Eligibility List.
Background investigations and record checks will be conducted by the Dublin Police Department or by an outside resource approved by the Chief of Police and the director of Human Resources. Findings of the background investigation may be used in combination with the results of other phases of the process in determining whether a candidate should be disqualified from the process or should be given further consideration. The findings of the investigator may, also, themselves alone be used as a reason for disqualification from the process if the nature of these findings warrants disqualification.
The candidates who have successfully participated in and completed all selection process components leading up to the final interview stage of the selection process will be placed on a Final Eligibility List.
Final Interview
After the background investigation and record check phase of the selection process is complete, the Chief of Police, a Human Resources representative, and the civilian bureau commander will interview and consider at least the three highest ranking candidates from the current Final Eligibility List. These interviews are typically one hour in length.
As a result of these interviews, the Chief of Police may select one of those candidates for each available vacancy. If multiple vacancies exist, the director of Human Resources, or designee, the Chief of Police and the Operations and Support Services bureau commander(s) will interview at least the number of candidates necessary to fill the multiple vacancies. The Chief of Police may consider any one of the candidates interviewed for selection.
Conditional Offer of Employment
Candidates are notified both verbally and in writing that the City of Dublin is extending them a conditional offer of employment. Certain conditions must be met prior to their employment. Conditions of employment include successful participation and completion of the following:
- Full background investigation
- Polygraph examination
- Psychological evaluation and interview
- Medical examination
- Pre-employment drug screen
- Appointment would be probationary in nature for a period of at least one year from the date of appointment
Unconditional Offer of Employment
Upon passage of the required polygraph examination, psychological evaluation, medical examination and drug test, Human Resources will notify each selected candidate in writing that the above referenced conditions have been satisfied and that the offer is unconditional in nature.
Appointment and Probationary Period
Upon acceptance of the City’s employment offer by the selected candidate, the candidate will be appointed to the position in a probationary status for a period of at least one year from date of such appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the agency allow observations for perspective candidates?
Yes. Citizens may observe once every six months for a two- to four-hour shift. To request an observation form, email Stephanie Skipworth with NRECC at sskipworth@dublin.oh.us.
How many people will be hired?
The number hired will vary depending upon the City’s budget, retirements and overall needs of the department.
What type of shifts do communications technicians work?
Communications technicians work eight-hour shifts, 40-hour work weeks with the same days off each week. Communications Technicians bid for shift assignments once per year.
- First Shift: 6:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
- Second Shift: 2:45 p.m. to 10:45 p.m.
- Third Shift: 10:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
- Late Mid-Watch Shift: 6:45 p.m. to 2:45 a.m.
Emergency
Phone: 911
Non-Emergency Service
Phone: 614.889.1112
Dublin Justice Center
Address: 6565 Commerce Parkway, Dublin, OH 43017
Phone: 614.410.4800 | Fax: 614.761.6535
Justice Center Hours: Open 24/7
Records Department Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Court Services
Phone: 614.410.4920 | Fax: 614.761.6598
Email Dublin Police
Contact the Dublin Police Department via email.
Submit an Anonymous Tip
Submit an anonymous tip to the Dublin Police regarding crime.
Submit Traffic Complaint
Fill out a traffic complaint; this is NOT live monitored.
Public Records Request Overview
In order to support faster response and better tracking of requests, the City of Dublin uses JustFOIA to collect, respond to and manage public information requests.
Why JustFOIA?
JustFOIA is a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) online application that helps streamline the open records request process for the community and improve efficiencies in getting requested information quickly and accurately.
The application lets community members submit requests for all city records, including police reports. Commonly requested information includes accident reports, copies of resolutions and body-camera video.
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