Job Description

Salary: $53,934.00 Annually
Location : Buffalo, NY
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 60051780
Department: DEPARTMENT OF CENTRAL POLICE SERVICES
Opening Date: 10/28/2025
Closing Date: 12/3/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Exam fee: $20.00


Description
Erie County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to workplace diversity.

ALL CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING ONLINE APPLICATIONS WILL BE VIA EMAIL.

PAPER APPLICATIONS CONTAINING AN EMAIL ADDRESS WILL ALSO RECEIVE EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE.

IF NO EMAIL IS PROVIDED, PAPER NOTIFICATION WILL ARRIVE VIA USPS.

RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS: CANDIDATES MUST HAVE BEEN LEGAL RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY FOR AT LEAST ONE MONTH IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE WRITTEN TEST AND MUST BE LEGAL RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY AT THE TIME OF APPOINTMENT. There are future anticipated vacancies at the Erie County Central Police Services.

A promotion examination will be held at the same time as this examination. The list resulting from the promotion examination will be used first but appointments from this open competitive examination are anticipated. Use of the list may be suspended after it is one year old for any position which it is practical to fill through a new promotion examination.

Examples of Duties
A Public Safety Dispatcher I is a highly responsible and moderately difficult position involving operating a radio, telephone and related communication equipment for the efficient relay of information and dispatch of personnel and equipment used in the protection of life and property;

Answers and coordinates calls for service between the public and police, fire department, ambulance and other appropriate departments;


Receives calls on multi-line phone system regarding various emergencies; (e.g. fires, robberies, stolen vehicles, missing persons, etc.)


Trains new team members as required;


Relays calls to appropriate agencies or departments as necessary;


Decides priorities of service when necessary in accordance with established policies;


Operates multiple computer terminals simultaneously to enter and retrieve information and relay same as needed;


Runs names and other information through NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services;


May maintain a log of phone and radio messages;


Maintains radio contact with Erie County Probation officers;


Participates in designated trainings;


Other tasks as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
Candidates must meet one of the following requirements on or before the date of the written test (see Note 3):

A) Completion of sixty semester credit hours*; or:

B) Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and two years of experience in dispatching emergency personnel or working as a telecommunications operator in the public safety area; or:

C) An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A) and (B).
Notes:
1. *Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found on the Internet at You must pay the required evaluation fee.

2. Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting full-time experience requirements.

3. Educational and/or age requirements must be met no later than 12 months past the announced exam date. Eligibility for appointment will be subject to candidates providing proof that education and/or age requirements have been met within one year of the announced exam date. Documentation/proof of education and/or age should be provided at time of interview. (If documentation does not prove that requirements were met within one year of exam date candidates will be removed from further eligibility for appointment.)

Notice to Candidates: Transcripts will be accepted by the Department of Personnel ONLY at time of application. All subsequent transcripts must be submitted at time of interview.

Supplemental Information
A medical examination may be required before appointment.

VETERANS: PROOF OF SERVICE MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE LIST IS ESTABLISHED TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL POINTS. (See application for more information.)

NOTICES TO APPEAR FOR THE EXAMINATION ARE MAILED APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE EXAMINATION DATE
NO CELL PHONES ARE PERMITTED AT THE EXAM SITE.
Examination date: January 24, 2026
Applications Must Be Postmarked or Hand Delivered By: December 3, 2025
Test guide: The New York State Department of Civil Service has not prepared a test guide for this examination. However, candidates may find information in the publication 'General Guide to Written Tests' helpful in preparing for this test. This publication is available on line at:

Scopes / Subjects of examination: A test designed to evaluate knowledge, skills and /or abilities in the following areas:
Coding/decoding information

These questions test for the ability to follow a set of coding rules. Some questions will require you to code information by converting certain information into letters or numbers. Other questions will require you to decode information by determining if the information that has already been converted into letters or numbers is correct. Complete directions will be provided; no previous knowledge of or training in any coding system is required.
Understanding and interpreting written material
These questions test for the ability to understand and interpret written material. You will be presented with brief reading passages and will be asked questions about the passages. You should base your answers to the questions only on what is presented in the passages and not on what you may happen to know about the topic.
Following directions (maps)

These questions test your ability to follow physical/geographic directions using street maps or building maps. You will have to read and understand a set of directions and then use them on a simple map.
Retaining and comprehending spoken information from calls for emergency services

These questions test for your ability to retain specific information that is heard in calls for emergency service, such as a street address, or to comprehend spoken information from emergency service calls, such as determining the location of a site in relation to landmarks. Simulated 911 calls will be played via MP3 download. Immediately following each call, candidates are given audio instructions identifying which questions they are to answer within the test booklet. The questions that candidates are directed to answer for each simulated call will not be in sequential order. Candidates will need to retain and comprehend the information and instruction provided in this portion of the test to respond appropriately to the questions asked and to determine which questions to answer. The time allotted to answer these questions will be limited. At the end of each answer period, the MP3 download will automatically play the next call. Note paper will be provided. Candidates will be permitted to take notes and to refer to them when answering the questions.
Radio operations and dispatching procedures
These questions test for knowledge of two-way radio systems and operations, and may cover dispatching procedures when appropriate.
NOTICE TO CANDIDATES : Unless otherwise noted, candidates are permitted to use quiet, hand held, solar or battery powered calculators. Devices with typewriter keyboards, "Spell Checkers", "Personal Digital Assistants", "Address Books", "Language Translators", "Dictionaries", or any similar devices are prohibited. You may not bring books or other reference materials.

Performance Test : A performance test will also be held at a later date, to be announced. The written test will be a ranking test and the performance test will be a qualifying (pass/fail) test. You must pass both the written and performance tests to be considered for appointment. You will not be called to the performance test unless you have passed the written test. Since the performance test is qualifying (pass/fail), if you pass the performance test your final score for the examination will be the score that you achieve on the written test. Candidates may be invited to the performance test in the order of the scores they achieve on the written test. The County (or City or Town) reserves the right to give the performance test to only as many candidates as are needed to fill available vacancies. The test will be administered on a conventional personal computer (PC). You will be using a conventional PC keyboard, but you will not be using a mouse.
Subject : The test consists of three parts, each preceded by a separate practice session. It will test your ability to enter the kinds of information that dispatchers and related personnel must process for fire, police, and emergency medical services. You will not need any specific information prior to the test; rather, complete on-screen instructions will tell you all that you need to know in order to take the test. In order to pass, you must enter the data at a rate of at least 6,000 keystrokes per hour (which is equal to typing approximately 20 words per minute), with an accuracy rate of at least 97.5%.

Retest Policy : Candidates who fail the performance test will be permitted a retest which will be given on the same day as the original performance test.

Waivers: If you have passed a 911 keyboarding performance test administered by a local jurisdiction in New York State within five years of the written test, the performance test may be waived. If you request a waiver, you must submit verifiable evidence of qualifying. Information submitted must contain the title, location, and date of the performance test taken, as well as proof of passing.

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES WHO ARE ALSO TAKING ANOTHER CIVIL SERVICE EXAM(S) ON THIS DATE (See Below)
(IF YOU ARE TAKING 2 OR MORE ERIE COUNTY EXAMS ON THIS DATE IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO CALL)
INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

HOW TO APPLY: Either online by clicking "Apply" on the top right of the online exam announcement or by printing a paper application from erie.gov, Erie County Application for Examination or Appointment (see or if you do not have internet access you may pick up an application form at the Erie County Personnel Department, 95 Franklin Street, Room 604, Buffalo, New York 14202. Forms are also available at Buffalo and Erie County Public Libraries and at Town, Village and School District administrative offices.
Completed forms should then be returned to the Erie County Personnel Department. In addition, candidates must request their colleges to send transcripts to the Erie County Personnel Department or attach transcripts to your application. No applications will be evaluated until all the above information, including transcripts, is received.
MILITARY STATUS: Active duty military personnel may file an application for this exam. A special military make-up examination will be conducted for any member of the armed forces of the United States who has duly filed a timely application but who was deprived of the opportunity to compete in the scheduled exam due to active military duty. Special conditions apply to these requests and may be reviewed at the Erie County Department of Personnel.

VETERANS: Disabled and non-disabled veterans as defined in Section 85, New York State Civil Service Law, will have 10 and 5 points, respectively added to their earned scores if successful in the OPEN examination. You must claim these credits when you file application but you have an option to waive them any time prior to appointment. If you have already used these credits for a permanent position in NYS, you may not claim them again.

In conformance with section 85-a of the Civil Service Law, CHILDREN AND SIBLINGS OF FIREFIGHTERS, POLICE OFFICERS, EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS AND PARAMEDICS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY shall be entitled to receive an additional ten points in a competitive examination for original appointment in the same municipality in which his or her parent/sibling has served. If you are qualified to participate in this examination and are a child or sibling of a firefighter, police officer, EMT or paramedic killed in the line of duty in this municipality, please inform this office of this matter when you submit your application for examination. A candidate claiming such credit has a minimum of two months from the application deadline to provide the necessary documentation to verify additional credit eligibility. However, no credit may be added after the eligible list has been established.

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS: Applicants whose religious beliefs prevent their taking examinations before sundown on Saturday and physically handicapped candidates who require special examination facilities should so inform the Erie County Department of Personnel, by a separately mailed letter at the earliest possible date before the test.

MORE THAN ONE EXAM ON THE SAME DAY: If you have applied for more than one exam on the same day you MUST make arrangements to take ALL of the examinations at ONE examination test site. If you have applied for both STATE and LOCAL government examinations taking place on the same day, you must take all of your examinations at the STATE examination center. If you have applied for both COUNTY and CITY government examinations taking place on the same day, you must take all of your examinations at the COUNTY examination center. You are responsible to notify EACH Civil Service Agency no later than TWO WEEKS before the examination date on which you are taking multiple examinations by submitting a Cross-Filer form; EACH Civil Service Agency has their own Cross-Filer form. The Erie County Cross-Filer form can be found at If you are taking multiple exams on the same date with Erie County only, you do not have to file a Cross-Filer form.

Candidates taking more than one exam in DIFFERENT exam series will be allowed the specified length of time for each exam, up to a maximum of eight hours. Example: If you are taking one exam which allows six hours and another exam in a different series which allows four hours, you must complete both tests in eight hours, but no more time can be spent on each exam than the time allotted for that exam. Candidates taking more than one exam in the SAME exam series will be allowed up to the specified length of time for each exam. Example: If you are taking two exams in the same series with a maximum time of five hours for each exam, you can spend no more than five hours to complete both exams.

ADMISSION TO EXAMINATION: Notice to appear for the test will be conditional as review of application for minimum requirements may not be made until after the written test. Call or email this Department if you have not received your notice 3 days before the date of the test. You may not be admitted to the examination room without official notice.

RATINGS REQUIRED: Tests are rated on a scale of 100 with a passing mark at 70. Unless the announcement states otherwise, you must pass the written test and the oral test, if any. Test instructions may further divide the tests into parts and set minimum standards for each part.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: If a subject of the examination, training and experience may not be rated if all passing candidates are expected to be immediately reachable for appointment. If rated, training and experience will be based on the statements in your application subject to verification. If this examination includes a qualifying written test, candidates admitted to the test will have conditional approval only. Final decision regarding the qualifications of candidates rests with the New York State Department of Civil Service.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION: You may be required to take a medical examination to determine if you are medically and physically capable of performing the duties of the position. In accordance with State Law, Governor's Executive Order 6, and Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended the County of Erie does not discriminate against handicapped persons in access to employment, during employment, or in any of its programs and activities.

VERIFICATION OF QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates may be investigated or called for an interview to verify information contained on the application. Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience may be pro-rated toward meeting full-time experience requirements.

ELIGIBLE LIST: The eligible list resulting from an examination may also be used for appointment to the same title or to any other title deemed to be similar and appropriate. Eligible lists are active for a minimum of one year and a maximum of four years from the date established.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION (*including psychological evaluation when required by position): Candidates may be subject to a thorough background investigation or psychological evaluation when required to determine eligibility for appointment. Applicants may be required to authorize access to educational, employment, criminal history and other records check as part of such investigation or participate in related tests or interviews. Criminal convictions or other offense are subject to evaluation and may result in disqualification pursuant to Section 50 of the New York State Civil Service Law. Applicant will be required to submit the necessary fees for the fingerprint processing, where required. (*If a psychological evaluation is required, it shall be specified in the minimum qualifications or special requirements for the position.)

**IMPORTANT APPLICATION FEE - READ CAREFULLY**

A $20.00 filing fee is required for this exam. The required fee must accompany your application. Send or bring check or money order made payable to Erie County Personnel Department and write the examination number(s) on your check or money order. Do not send or bring cash, as the County cannot be responsible for cash payment. As no refund will be made, you are urged to compare your qualifications carefully with the requirements for admission and file only for those examinations for which you are clearly qualified.

APPLICATION FEE WAIVER: A waiver of application fee will be allowed if you are unemployed and primarily responsible for the support of a household. In addition, a waiver of application fee will be allowed if you are determined eligible for Medicaid, or receiving Supplemental Security Income payments, or Public Assistance (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families/Family Assistance or Safety Net Assistance) or are certified Job Training Partnership Act/Workforce Investment Act eligible through a State or local social service agency.

All claims for application fee waiver are subject to verification. If you can verify eligibility for application fee waiver, complete a ": form and submit it with your application by the close of business on the Application Deadline as listed on the Examination Announcement. The form is available at the Erie County Personnel Department, 95 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY (Room 604) or can be downloaded from the County's website atClick on "County Departments and Agencies", then "Erie County Civil Service."

This examination is prepared and rated by the New York State Department of Civil Service,
and held in compliance with the New York State Civil Service Law
and the rules and regulations of the New York State Department of Civil Service.
BENEFITS OFFERED TO FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES

REPRESENTED BY CSEA IN ERIE COUNTY

HEALTH BENEFITS

Erie County offers comprehensive health insurance plans through the Labor-Management Healthcare Fund (LMHF), administered by Univera Healthcare. Eligible employees can choose from the following plans:

• Enhanced Plan (POS 202)
• Core Plan (POS 203)
• Value Plan (POS 204)
• Bronze High Deductible Plan (POS 8200)

Plan Details:

• Value Plan (POS 204): This is the default plan for all new employees. These employees are required to contribute 15% of the plan's premium through pre-tax payroll deductions.
• Enhanced Plan (POS 202) & Core Plan (POS 203): Employees opting for these plans must pay the difference in cost between their selected plan and the employer's contribution toward the Value Plan.
• Bronze High Deductible Plan (POS 8200): Available to all employees regardless of hire date, the County covers 100% of the premium for this plan. It features a $2,000 individual / $4,000 family deductible and includes preventive services covered in full.

Health Insurance Waiver

Full-Time employees who waive participation in the County's health insurance plan and are not covered by another County health insurance plan receive, in lieu of the insurance, $500 per month for Family Coverage or $200 per month for Individual Coverage.

Dental Insurance:

Full-time employees represented by CSEA in Erie County receive dental coverage through the CSEA Employee Benefit Fund (EBF). The County contributes $22.13 per bi-weekly pay period for single coverage and $72.69 for family coverage.


Health Flexible Spending Account:

Erie County offers a Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA), allowing employees to set aside up to a maximum amount set by the IRS each year in pre-tax dollars for eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses.


PAID TIME OFF

• Holidays: 12 paid holidays annually, including Juneteenth and Election Day.
• Vacation Leave:
  1. Starts at 10 days per year, increases to up to 30 days with years of service.
  2. Can be accrued up to 25 days; unused vacation is payable upon separation.
  3. Eighty (80) hours of unused vacation time can be sold back annually, subject to minimum balance requirements.
• Sick Leave:
  1. Accrues at 15 days per year (4.62 hrs per pay period).
  2. Unused sick leave may be accrued up to 300 days (for employees hired after August 7, 2014).
• Personal Leave:
  1. Four days per year (for employees hired after August 7, 2014).
• Bereavement Leave: Up to four paid days for immediate family.

RETIREMENT

New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System

• Eligible employees are enrolled in the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System (NYSLRS, administered by the Office of the State Comptroller. NYSLRS is one of the largest and most secure public pension systems in the United States, providing over one million public employees, retirees, and beneficiaries with reliable, lifetime retirement income, disability protection, and death benefits. All employees are eligible to join, and full-time permanent employees are required to join.
• An employee's tier is determined by their date of membership; employees who joined on or after April 1, 2012, are classified as Tier 6 members. Tier 6 members become vested after 5 years of credited service, with an option to retire as early as age 55.
• Tier 6 members are required to contribute between 3% and 6% of gross reportable earnings for all years of public service. Contribution rates are determined based on annual wage and are adjusted annually on April 1.

Deferred Compensation Plan

Erie County offers a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan administered by Corebridge Financial (formerly AIG/VALIC). This plan is a voluntary, employee-funded program designed to supplement an employee's retirement savings. Employees can contribute up to 100% of their salary on a pre-tax or Roth after-tax basis, not exceeding the annual IRS limit. (For 2025, the contribution limit is $23,500.)

WORK SCHEDULE

• Employees work a standard schedule that includes a paid one-hour lunch period each workday.
• Eligible employees receive overtime pay at one and one-half times their regular rate for hours worked beyond their standard work schedule. Alternatively, employees may opt to accrue compensatory time in lieu of overtime pay, up to a maximum of 120 hours. Unused compensatory time is payable upon separation.
• Shift Differential Pay: Employees working non-standard shifts receive additional compensation:
  1. Second Shift: An additional $1.75 per hour.
  2. Third Shift: An additional $2.25 per hour.

TRANSPORTATION BENEFITS

Flexible Spending Accounts

• Transit Commuter Benefits Account: Save on commuting expenses, including Metro trains and buses, commuter trains, ridesharing, etc. with a pre-tax paycheck deduction. Employees may deduct an IRS-set amount each month for combined commuter highway vehicle transportation and transit passes.
• Parking Commuter Benefits Account: Save on work-related parking expenses with a pre-tax paycheck deduction. Employees may deduct an IRS-set amount each month for qualified parking.

Parking Reimbursement

Full-time employees regularly assigned to work locations without free parking receive a $40 per month reimbursement for parking expenses.


OTHER BENEFITS

• Compensation & Step Increases: Employees receive scheduled step increases based on their length of service, in accordance with the CSEA collective bargaining agreement. Step advancements typically occur annually for five years, and less frequent longevity increases thereafter.
• Employee Discount Program - PerkSpot: Erie County employees have access to PerkSpot, an exclusive online discount platform offering savings on a wide range of products and services.
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA): Erie County offers a DCFSA, allowing employees to set aside up to $5,000 pre-tax dollars to cover eligible dependent care expenses.
• On-Site Fitness Center: The Rath Building features an on-site fitness center available to County employees. This facility provides convenient access to exercise equipment and wellness resources.
• Employee Assistance Program: Erie County provides a confidential Employee Assistance Program through eviCore, offering support for various personal and work-related challenges.
• Percipio Online Learning Platform: Through the Skillsoft Percipio platform, employees have access to thousands of online courses, eBooks, and videos.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: As a public sector employee, you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan.
• Additional Paid Time Off: Employees are entitled to paid time off to (a) take promotional and open competitive civil service examinations administered by Erie County, (b) cancer screenings (up to four hours annually), and (c) donate blood (up to four hours annually).
• Commitment to Internal Promotion: Erie County strongly supports career advancement and promotion from within. Civil service promotional opportunities are posted internally, and eligible employees are encouraged to apply.

Job Tags

Bi-weekly pay, Hourly pay, Extra income, Permanent employment, Full time, Temporary work, Work at office, Local area, Immediate start, Trial period, Flexible hours, Shift work, Afternoon shift,

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