CITY FIRE DISPATCHER FILING UNTIL NOV. 21

Starting Salary $30G; Related Work Required; Project Manager, Space Analyst Jobs Also Available

The Department of Citywide Administrative Services is accepting applications until Nov. 21 for an exam leading to Fire Alarm Dispatcher jobs.

That is also the last day to apply for Project Manager, Space Analyst, and promotion to Police Officer jobs.

Dispatcher Pay Range

The starting salary for Fire Alarm Dispatcher is $30,316, which rises to $50,127 after five years of employment. The multiple-choice test is scheduled for Feb. 17, 2007.

By the last day of filing, candidates must have a high school diploma or a GED and one of the following: two years of full-time experience as an airport or railroad traffic controller or emergency dispatcher within the last five years; three years of qualifying general radio dispatching experience or full-time service as a firefighter or fire dispatcher within the last six years; or three years of volunteer firefighter service within the last five years.

Work as a building superintendent, hospital page operator or vehicle patrol officer is not considered qualifying. A total of 60 college credits can be substituted for up to one year of the experience requirement.

What Test Covers

The multiple-choice test will include questions on understanding written and verbal information, communicating written information, and remembering new data. It will also gauge candidates' abilities to apply general rules to a specific situation. The passing score is 70 percent.

Candidates who pass the multiple-choice test must also complete a practical typing exam in which they have to type at a minimum speed of 50 keystrokes (10 words) per minute. Fire Alarm Dispatchers receive and transmit fire emergency alarms using various radio systems. They also relocate companies as needed and adjust the number and type of units at fire scenes based on predetermined protocols.

DCAS is also accepting applications for exams leading to Bus Mechanic and Light Maintainer positions at New York City Transit. Applications for those titles must be submitted by Dec. 26.

Further information and copies of the exam notices can be obtained online at www.nyc.gov/dcas, or by writing the DCAS Application Center, 18 Washington St., New York, N.Y., 10004.