Emergency Communications Officer

Emergency Health Services - Alberta (EHS-AB) is one of Canada’s largest integrated emergency medical systems, providing care to over 750,000 Albertans annually through a province-wide model encompassing dispatch, ground ambulance, aeromedical response, and specialized clinical programs. EHS is currently recruiting casual Emergency Communications Officers (ECO) in Edmonton. We are looking for people who are great communicators, with strong language and listening skills, and who can remain composed under pressure. You are the calm, confident voice on the phone with 911 callers, collecting the necessary information to dispatch emergency crews. You will learn to quickly and accurately transcribe calls as they come in, prioritize tasks on the fly, and clearly relay essential information. Discover a supportive employer, a career that fits your lifestyle, and opportunities for professional development. Candidates undergo a multi-step screening process. Step one is an online assessment that evaluates job-specific behaviours, competencies, knowledge, and fit. Step two assesses your multitasking, decision making, typing, recall, and listening skills, as well as language comprehension. Step three is a formal interview. Successful candidates will receive paid on-the-job training, followed by a paid preceptorship with an experienced ECO before working independently. Candidates must be able to commit to a 20-week, full-time training schedule that requires 6-8 weeks of on-site classroom training in Edmonton, as well as an on-site practicum for a minimum of 10-12 weeks. Shifts consist of 12-hour days and 12-hour nights. Mandatory sit-in shifts with an ECO will be required prior to hire.

As an Emergency Communications Officer (ECO), you will provide safe and effective emergency medical call taking and dispatch services to ambulances. Using established protocols and guidelines, you will evaluate and process both emergency and non-emergency calls, make key decisions and contribute to the coordination of dispatch operations and response strategies.

Completion of Grade 12 or equivalent. Current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) CPR certification.

To be successful in this role, candidates must have Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certification. Where the successful candidate does not currently hold EMD certification, the certification course will be provided upon hire.

Current Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certification, previous 911-dispatch, or Public Safety experience. To ensure your qualifications are fully recognized during the screening process, please submit a chronological resume and cover letter in PDF format, along with copies of any job-related credentials. Post-secondary education or training will only be considered when accompanied by proof of program completion (e.g. degree, diploma, or certificate).