Be the First Voice of Help
When someone in Woodstock dials 9-1-1, the first voice they hear is yours.
Emergency Communicators are calm, compassionate, and critical thinkers who play a vital role in keeping our community safe. They are the link between the public and first responders — managing emergency calls, dispatching resources, and coordinating response during high-pressure situations.
The Woodstock Police Service Emergency Communications Centre (ECC) operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing emergency and non-emergency communication services for police and partner agencies.
General Information
As an Emergency Communicator, you will:
- Answer 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls for service
- Assess situations quickly and gather essential information
- Dispatch officers and resources through the Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system
- Maintain contact with units in the field, ensuring officer and public safety
- Provide guidance, reassurance, and direction to callers until help arrives
This career is fast-paced, challenging, and rewarding — requiring composure, empathy, and exceptional communication skills.
ECC staff are trained to handle everything from routine calls to critical, life-threatening emergencies.
Requirements
To be considered for a position in the Emergency Communications Centre, applicants must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Have a Grade 12 diploma (or equivalent) — relevant post-secondary education is an asset
- Possess excellent communication and listening skills
- Have strong multitasking and computer proficiency
- Work effectively under pressure and make sound decisions in stressful situations
- Be willing to work shift work, including nights, weekends, and holidays
- Pass a background investigation and security clearance
- Additional assets include:
- Previous experience in dispatch, customer service, or emergency communications
- Knowledge of radio systems, emergency protocols, and geographical familiarity with Oxford County
Recruitment Stages
- Application Submission
Apply in person or online, including your cover letter, resume, and completed Application for Employment form. - Pre-Background and Skills Assessment
Selected applicants will receive pre-background paperwork and a link to complete an online skills assessment evaluating multitasking, communication, and data entry ability. - Interview
Candidates who successfully complete the pre-background stage and skills testing will be invited for a formal interview with members of the Communications and Human Resources team. - Dispatch Centre Sit-In
Short-listed applicants are invited to spend time observing in the Woodstock Police Service Dispatch Centre to experience the environment firsthand. - Psychological Assessment
Candidates who continue in the process will complete a psychological evaluation to ensure suitability for high-stress emergency work. - Background Investigation
A comprehensive security clearance and reference check are conducted on all successful candidates. - Hearing Test
Applicants must complete a hearing assessment to ensure compliance with operational communication standards. - Conditional Offer of Employment
Upon successful completion of all stages, candidates will receive a conditional offer and begin training in the ECC. - Training Program
New hires complete intensive training in call-taking, radio dispatch, and emergency response systems under the guidance of experienced personnel.
Successful dispatchers maintain strong stress-management skills and a healthy lifestyle to support performance during long or unpredictable shifts.
If you have the courage to stay calm under pressure and the compassion to help others in their most critical moments, we want to hear from you.