How to become a 911 dispatcher in Vermont
In Vermont, 911 dispatchers are hired by city, county and regional 911 centers. The Vermont Enhanced 911 Board sets the statewide standards; the credential is Vermont E911 Call Taker Certification. At the Vermont State Police emergency communication centers (Williston and Westminster PSAPs), new hires start at $52,166 a year, rising to $81,203.
Pay at the Vermont State Police emergency communication centers (Williston and Westminster PSAPs)
Each city and county sets its own pay. This is the official scale of the Vermont State Police emergency communication centers (Williston and Westminster PSAPs), the largest city's agency.
| Starting salary | $52,166 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $81,203 |
| Scale effective | 2026-07-12 |
Vermont State Police dispatchers are state employees; start and top are the classified pay chart's range for the FY27 period (hourly × 2080).
Source:[humanresources.vermont.gov]
Pay for this work across Vermont
Federal survey figures for public safety telecommunicators in Vermont, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from any one agency's pay scale above.
| People in this work | 280 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $47,520 |
| Median pay | $59,470 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $73,500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Education: High school diploma or equivalent (VSP general minimum; the state job specification lists it as preferred)
- No age, education or training-hour standard was found in 30 V.S.A. chapter 87; requirements here are Vermont State Police's posted dispatcher qualifications
- Experience: one year in public safety, first response, or emergency dispatch, or two years as a non-emergency dispatcher or in customer-facing work with significant public contact
- Certification by the E-911 Board as a telecommunicator may be required within six months of entering the job
- Must pass a Department of Public Safety security clearance including motor vehicle and criminal background checks
- The E911 Board's Training and Communications section trains and certifies about 100 call-takers; all of Vermont's six PSAPs are staffed by certified Vermont 911 call-takers
Source:[vsp.vermont.gov]
Hiring process
- Online application through the Vermont Human Resources Career Center
- Department of Public Safety computer-based CritiCall test
- Security clearance: motor vehicle and criminal background check
- E-911 Board call-taker certification (may be required within six months)
Source:[humanresources.vermont.gov]
Entrance exam
CritiCall (Department of Public Safety pre-employment test). Job specification: applicants must pass a DPS-administered computer-based CritiCall test assessing computer and other job-related skills.[humanresources.vermont.gov]
Required training
40 hours minimum, 1 weeks.[vcjc.vermont.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Vermont State Employees' Retirement System (VSERS), Group F*
- Benefit formula: Group F* service (from July 1, 2008) x 0.0167 x average final compensation (highest three consecutive fiscal years or last 36 months, whichever is higher); maximum 60% of AFC
- When you can retire: Normal retirement at age 65 or when age plus service equals 87 (Rule of 87); reduced early retirement at age 55 with 5 years of service
- Social Security: yes, you also pay in
Group F* applies to state employees hired after July 1, 2008. Municipal dispatchers in Vermont would instead be in VMERS if their employer participates. The plan description mentions benefits 'together with your personal savings and Social Security'.
Source:[vermonttreasurer.gov]